Tesla launched self-driving features for its vehicles in China, a significant step forward following years of regulatory challenges in the world’s largest automotive market.
On Tuesday, the US electric vehicle giant announced on its WeChat page that a software update would gradually enable “automatic autopilot-assisted driving on city streets.” The update also includes a rearview mirror function designed to detect whether drivers are paying attention.
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While these features mirror Tesla’s “full self-driving” (FSD) capability available in the United States, they do not make vehicles fully autonomous and still require driver supervision. Tesla confirmed that the update has already been deployed to some models and will be expanded to other compatible vehicles over time.
China remains a critical market for Tesla, where it operates two factories and faces increasing competition from domestic manufacturers. The announcement of its self-driving update follows a move by BYD, Tesla’s biggest rival in the country, to introduce advanced self-driving technology across nearly all its models.
Tesla has spent years seeking regulatory approval for its FSD system in China, a process made complex by the country’s strict data security and privacy laws. CEO Elon Musk has visited China multiple times in recent years, reportedly to secure key data security clearances for Tesla’s locally produced vehicles.
Chinese automakers and tech companies are aggressively investing in autonomous driving technology, striving to compete with global industry leaders. Although fully autonomous cars are not yet available for sale, China has approved several self-driving taxi services in major cities.
In Wuhan, over 500 driverless taxis operate under Baidu’s Apollo Go project, providing rides across large sections of the city. Meanwhile, BYD’s “God’s Eye” autonomous driving system, which was previously limited to high-end vehicles, will soon be integrated into budget-friendly models priced under $10,000. This move is expected to intensify competition in the self-driving sector.
As Tesla expands its autonomous driving capabilities in China, it must navigate an increasingly dynamic market where domestic firms are rapidly advancing their own self-driving technologies.
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