Tesla began rolling out advanced self-driving features for its cars in China, marking a milestone after years of regulatory hurdles in the world’s largest automobile market.
In an announcement on its WeChat page on Tuesday, the US electric vehicle giant confirmed that a software update would gradually introduce “automatic autopilot-assisted driving on city streets.”
The update also included a rearview mirror function designed to detect whether drivers are paying attention.
These features are similar to Tesla’s “full self driving” (FSD) capability available in the United States. However, the technology does not make vehicles fully autonomous and still requires driver supervision.
Tesla stated that the update had already been released for some models and would be expanded to other compatible vehicles over time.
China is a crucial market for Tesla, where it operates two factories and faces increasing competition from domestic manufacturers.
The announcement comes shortly after Chinese automaker BYD, Tesla’s biggest rival in the country, revealed plans to introduce advanced self-driving technology across nearly all its models.
Regulatory challenges and market expansion
Tesla has long been working to gain regulatory approval for FSD in China, a process complicated by strict data and privacy laws. CEO Elon Musk has visited the country multiple times in past years, allegedly to secure key data security clearances for Tesla’s locally produced vehicles.
China’s push for self-driving innovation
Chinese automakers and tech firms have invested heavily in self-driving technology, aiming to compete with industry leaders in the US. While fully autonomous cars are not yet available for purchase, China has approved multiple self-driving taxi services in major cities.
In Wuhan, more than 500 driverless taxis operate as part of Baidu’s Apollo Go project, offering rides across large parts of the city.
Meanwhile, BYD’s “God’s Eye” autonomous driving system, previously reserved for high-end vehicles, will soon be available in budget models priced under $10,000, further increasing competition in the market.
As Tesla expands its self-driving capabilities in China, it faces an increasingly dynamic landscape where local companies are rapidly advancing their own autonomous technologies.