Tesla Rolls Out Autopilot Update in China, But Falls Short of Expectations

New features include automatic lane-changing and traffic light detection, but Chinese users remain unimpressed.

Tesla has released a long-awaited update to its autopilot software in China, introducing a city navigation feature.

However, many Chinese Tesla owners expressed disappointment, stating that the update does not meet the expectations set by Elon Musk.

According to a company announcement, the new capabilities include automatic lane-changing based on speed and route, as well as traffic light detection at intersections.

An in-car camera will monitor driver attention.

Despite these improvements, the update remains less advanced than Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in the United States due to limited data training on Chinese roads and traffic regulations.

FSD is Tesla’s most advanced driver-assistance technology, leveraging AI to handle complex traffic scenarios. In contrast, Autopilot is designed for simpler driving conditions.

Musk has expressed his desire to bring full FSD to China but acknowledges challenges posed by U.S. and Chinese technology restrictions.

Tesla has postponed its initial goal from late 2024 to a later date.

User Dissatisfaction and Industry Competition

Many Chinese Tesla owners voiced frustration, saying the update does not deliver on Tesla’s long-promised capabilities.

Local competitors, including BYD, Xiaomi, and Huawei, already offer advanced smart-driving features, often at lower prices or for free.

Lu Panpan, a Tesla owner from Zhejiang, paid ¥56,000 ($7,720) for FSD software when purchasing his Model 3 in 2019 but has seen little progress in feature updates. “Tesla is knowingly delivering a restricted system,” he said, adding that domestic EVs now offer superior smart-driving features at a more competitive price.

Tesla charges nearly $9,000 for limited FSD access in China, whereas Xiaomi’s SU7, which has recently outsold Tesla’s Model 3, provides an advanced smart-driving system at no extra cost.

BYD has also started offering autonomous-driving features for free on most models, even on lower-priced vehicles.

Falling Behind Chinese Rivals

Tesla’s autopilot update is comparable to BYD’s mid-tier God’s Eye system, which uses lidars and computing power to create 3D images for obstacle navigation.

BYD provides this technology in its premium Denza lineup and high-end Dynasty and Ocean series models.

Musk has stated that Tesla is working to gain regulatory approval to fully roll out FSD in China.

However, under Chinese law, both Autopilot and FSD remain classified as level-two autonomous driving technologies, requiring human supervision.

Automakers must obtain additional regulatory approval for level-three or higher autonomous driving features.

A major hurdle for Tesla is China’s strict data laws, which regulate the transfer of vehicle data outside the country.

Training autonomous driving models requires vast amounts of driving data, and Tesla has been developing plans for a local data center to overcome this challenge.

While Tesla remains a key player in the EV market, its struggle to deliver a truly advanced FSD experience in China underscores the growing competition from domestic automakers who are rapidly advancing in smart-driving technology.