Tesla is conducting its largest recall in China, involving 1.6 million vehicles, in an effort to address issues with its driver assistance features that could elevate the risk of accidents.
This action follows similar corrections carried out in the United States.
Key points to know: The software update, to be remotely implemented, comes amidst intense competition for the electric vehicle manufacturer in the world’s largest automotive market, where it trails behind the local competitor BYD.
Last month, Tesla recalled over two million vehicles in the U.S. in response to government claims that its Autopilot driving feature could be misused by drivers.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced on Friday that the automaker will issue software corrections for over 1.6 million Model Y, Model 3, Model S, and Model X vehicles manufactured between August 2014 and last month.
This includes both imported vehicles and those produced at its Gigafactory in Shanghai.
Modifications to the automatic driving feature will enable vehicles to send additional alerts to the driver and provide more control when the driving feature is activated, aiming to prevent misuse, according to the regulatory agency.
However, it was not specified whether the corrections will be the same as those implemented in the United States.
Tesla achieves record sales but falls short of BYD in the 4th quarter With the rental of an electric Kombi, you could buy these 5 luxury cars Automotive innovation: 5 cars created by Brazilians that you need to know In the U.S. recall, the regulatory body emphasized that the feature assists in driving but requires the driver to remain attentive and in control of the vehicle’s steering at all times.
This action in China covers the majority of Tesla’s sales in the country. It comes after a year in which the company faced a price war with Chinese competitors, now ranking second, significantly behind BYD in China.
The increasing demand for BYD helped surpass Tesla globally in electric vehicle sales in the last quarter of 2023.
Additionally, Tesla will recall approximately 7,500 Model S, Model Y, and Model 3 vehicles imported into the country due to a separate issue with car door locks, as reported by the Chinese regulatory agency on Friday.
Tesla has not responded to The Wall Street Journal’s request for comments.
Last month, the Chinese regulatory body issued a warning requiring the physical recall of two Model X vehicles due to issues that could hinder the safe deployment of airbags in the event of a collision.
The U.S. recall comes amid a long-standing investigation by the primary automotive safety regulatory agency into accidents involving driver assistance technology.
Tesla’s Autopilot system has been under scrutiny by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the U.S. after years of questions about various high-profile accidents and whether the company was promising more than it could deliver.
The electric car manufacturer consistently asserted that driving with the Autopilot engaged is safer compared to driving without it. In a year-end post last year, Tesla referenced internal data as proof that accidents were less frequent when the Autopilot was in operation.
Tesla stands as a benchmark for electric vehicle enthusiasts, and many immediately associate the company’s name with billionaire Elon Musk, who has long been among the wealthiest individuals in the world.
However, did you know that Tesla was not founded by Elon Musk?
Explore in the article below everything about Tesla – including its history, management, and some of its key electric cars.
Tesla’s History Established in 2003 in California, Tesla is a company specializing in Electric Cars.
The name pays tribute to Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), a Serbian who was one of the most brilliant scientists in history, making essential contributions to the knowledge we still use today for energy supply and electric currents.
It was Nikola Tesla who, in the 19th century, created an alternating current induction motor that revolutionized the industry.
It’s only fitting that the company, aiming to launch technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable cars, honors him in its name.
Contrary to popular belief, however, Tesla was not created by the South African Elon Musk.
The founders were engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in 2003. It was only in the following year, with substantial investments, that the renowned and controversial CEO Elon Musk assumed the role.