Tesla brings its autonomous driving to China, but amid regulations
US electric vehicle giant Tesla has begun offering advanced autonomous driving features for its cars in China , including autopilot on urban streets, the company announced Tuesday.
A Tesla statement describes the features as similar to the "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) it already offers in the United States.
Cars with this capability are not fully autonomous and must be used under the supervision of a driver.
The information was initially reported by state-run media outlet Shanghai Daily.
Tesla said on Chinese social media site WeChat that it will gradually roll out an IT update that includes "autopilot assisted driving on urban streets" as well as a rearview mirror feature that detects whether drivers are paying attention.
The update "has already been released for some vehicle models and will be rolled out gradually to other appropriate models," Tesla added.
China is an important market for Tesla, which has two factories in the country and is trying to compete with local brands.
The firm has been trying to get approval for FSD in China, where it will have to comply with strict data privacy laws.
Do you think Tesla will achieve full FSD approval in China? Let us know your thoughts.
Competition in China's electric car sector is intensifying. Can Tesla stay ahead?
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Editor’s note : Tesla faces stiff competition in China, especially from local manufacturers such as BYD, Nio and Xpeng, which are also developing advanced autonomous driving technologies. In 2023, BYD surpassed Tesla in global EV sales in the fourth quarter, reflecting the growing influence of Chinese brands in the sector.
Furthermore, approval of Full Self-Driving (FSD) in China depends on compliance with strict government regulations on data privacy and cybersecurity. Chinese authorities have imposed restrictions on the use of high-precision maps and data collection by foreign companies, posing a challenge for Tesla in fully implementing its FSD system in the country.
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