Tesla’s Autopilot Update in China Disappoints Owners Amid AI Restrictions
Tesla’s Autopilot update in China, is introducing a city navigation feature. However, the update has left many Chinese Tesla owners frustrated, as it falls short of the promises made by CEO Elon Musk.
Limited Features Compared to U.S. Version
Tesla’s new Autopilot update includes automatic lane-changing, traffic light detection, and an in-car camera to monitor driver attention. While these features resemble those in the company’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) system, they are less advanced than the U.S. version. A source familiar with the matter attributed this to insufficient data training on Chinese roads and traffic regulations.
Musk has long aimed to bring Tesla’s full Autopilot and FSD systems to China but has faced challenges due to restrictions imposed by both the U.S. and Chinese governments. Initially expected by the end of 2024, the rollout has now been delayed into this year.
Chinese Tesla Owners Express Disappointment
Many Tesla owners in China took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction, arguing that the update does not match the capabilities Tesla has advertised for years. Some pointed out that domestic EV manufacturers offer similar or superior driver-assistance features at lower prices—or even for free.
Lu Panpan, a Tesla owner from Zhejiang province, purchased FSD software for 56,000 yuan ($7,720) in 2019 but has since been disappointed by the lack of major updates.
“We can tell Tesla has no choice but to deliver a knowingly restricted system,” Lu said. “It is hard for Tesla to catch up with the smart-driving capabilities in Chinese cars, which makes even less sense given its high pricing.”
Tesla Falling Behind Local Competitors
Delays in rolling out a full FSD system in China have put Tesla at a disadvantage against local competitors like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BYD. These companies have introduced EVs with advanced smart-driving capabilities designed specifically for China’s complex city traffic.
Tesla charges nearly $9,000 for limited FSD features in vehicles priced from $32,000. In contrast, Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan, priced from $29,700, has outsold Tesla’s Model 3 in China and offers a more advanced smart-driving system for free. BYD has also introduced free autonomous-driving features across most of its models, including those priced as low as $9,555.
Tesla’s Autopilot update is comparable to BYD’s mid-tier “God’s Eye” system, which uses lidar and advanced computing to generate 3D images for obstacle navigation. This technology is featured in BYD’s high-end Denza models and its premium Dynasty and Ocean series.
Regulatory and Data Challenges
Musk has confirmed that Tesla is seeking regulatory approval from Beijing to fully deploy FSD in China. However, under current Chinese laws, both Autopilot and FSD are classified as level-two autonomous driving technologies, meaning they require human supervision and do not need special approval. Only level-three and above autonomous features require regulatory approval.
One of the key challenges Tesla faces is China’s strict data laws, which limit the transfer of vehicle data abroad. Musk has stated that Tesla is using publicly available Chinese street videos to train its AI software since the U.S. prohibits on-site AI training in China. The company is also planning a data centre in China to improve its AI capabilities for fully autonomous vehicles.
Despite Tesla’s efforts, the company’s delayed progress in China’s smart-driving sector has left many owners questioning whether their investment in FSD was worthwhile.
With inputs from Reuters