05 特斯拉中国和中国特斯拉，为什么都不行？【文化拓展版】

Tesla Faces Backlash in China After Price Cuts

Tesla faces criticism from Chinese customers complaining they ended up paying thousands of dollars more for their new cars because their purchase came before the company’s recent price cuts.

The backlash comes as the electric-vehicle maker is betting heavily on the country by building a factory in Shanghai.

A Tesla spokeswoman declined to comment. Tesla on Friday said anyone who bought a Tesla car before the price cut would get a 50% discount on the company’s autopilot or full self-driving options.

Some Tesla owners in China this week took to social media to attack the auto maker’s Feb. 28 pledge to lower global prices and its decision to shut most of its physical stores.

One video that went viral showed disgruntled Tesla owners unfurling a banner across the front of a local Tesla store. “Tesla’s prices are dropping unreasonably,” it said in Mandarin. “This is a violation of consumers’ legal rights."

【参考译文】

特斯拉降价后在中国遭怒怼

特斯拉最近降价，遭到了中国消费者的批评。他们抱怨说，因为他们是在降价之前购置的新车，所以多花了数千美元。

在被怒怼之际，这家电动汽车制造商正大举押注中国，在上海建厂。

特斯拉发言人拒绝置评。特斯拉上周五称，在降价前购买特斯拉汽车的车主，在购买特斯拉自动驾驶仪或全自动驾驶配件时都可以享受50%的折扣。

本周，一些中国特斯拉车主在社交媒体上抨击了它家在2月28日做出的降低特斯拉汽车全球售价的承诺，以及关闭大部分实体店的决定。

一段在网上疯传的视频显示，心怀不满的特斯拉车主在当地一家特斯拉门店前拉开横幅，横幅上用普通话写着：“特斯拉的价格正在不合理地下跌，这侵犯了消费者的合法权益。”

【课文注释】

backlash /'bæklæʃ/ n. 强烈反应；强烈抵制

a strong negative reaction by a number of people against recent events, especially against political or social developments

• The management fear a backlash from fans over the team’s poor performances. 管理层担心球迷会对球队的拙劣表现做出强烈反应。

criticism /'krɪtɪsɪz(ə)m/ n. 批评；苛求

remarks that say what you think is bad about someone or something

• The government’s economic strategy has attracted a lot of criticism. 政府的经济政策招致了大量的批评。

decline /dɪ'klaɪn/ v. 拒绝，谢绝

to say no politely when someone invites you somewhere, offers you something, or wants you to do something

• The court declined to review her case. 法院拒绝复审她的案子。

autopilot /'ɔːtəʊ,paɪlət/ n. 自动驾驶仪

automatic pilot

option /'ɒpʃən/ n. 附件，配件

something that is offered in addition to the standard equipment when you buy something new, especially a car

pledge /pledʒ/ n. 保证，誓言

a serious promise or agreement, especially one made publicly or officially

• Parents make a pledge to take their children to rehearsals. 家长作了保证答应带孩子去参加排练。

go viral 走红；像病毒般扩散

disgruntled /dɪs'grʌnt(ə)ld/ adj. 不满的；不高兴的

annoyed or disappointed, especially because things have not happened in the way that you wanted

• I believe the fans have every right to be disgruntled. 我认为球迷有权利表现他们的不满情绪。

unfurl /ʌn'fɜːl/ v. 打开，展开

if a flag, sail etc. unfurls, or if someone unfurls it, it unrolls and opens

• to unfurl a flag 展开旗子

banner /'bænə/ n. 横幅，横幅标语

a long piece of cloth on which something is written, often carried between two poles

• The onlookers were shouting, cheering, and waving banners. 观众挥动着横幅，又是叫喊又是欢呼。

violation /vaɪə'leɪʃn/ n. 违反；妨碍

an action that causes harm or damage by treating someone or their possessions without respect

• Troops crossed the border in violation of the agreement. 部队违反协议，越过了边界。