A Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle stands on display at Seoul Motor Show in South Korea on March 28, 2019. Photo: VCG

US electric car maker Tesla dismissed social media reports claiming a customer involved in Tesla's clash with Chinese group purchase platform Pinduoduo had received a Model 3 on Tuesday, saying the customer's car delivery was part of an unrelated order, and that the hype was a "self-staged" drama.

When contacted by the Global Times on Wednesday, Tesla said the delivery shown on social media didn't follow its standard protocol and urged relevant companies to observe basic business ethics and stop manipulating public opinion. 

Tesla also said it has never blacklisted anyone, despite claims to the contrary by the customer from Wuhan in Central China's Hubei Province. 

Tesla locked horns with Pinduoduo over the latter's subsidized purchase of its car, claiming an infringement of its direct sales principle.