Tesla Halts Free FSD Trial in China Amid Compliance Speculation
Tesla has reportedly suspended the distribution of a software update intended to provide Chinese customers with a one-month free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) assisted driving system. The service, priced at RMB 64,000 ($8,816), was initially scheduled for a limited-time offer running from March 17 to April 16 for users with compatible hardware and updated navigation maps. According to Chinese blogger Pang Hu Shawn, who broke the news on Weibo on March 23, the automaker has stopped issuing the necessary update just a week after the trial period began. It remains unclear if or when Tesla will resume the promotional deal. This sudden halt has sparked widespread online speculation that Tesla may not have fully completed the compliance procedures required by the Chinese government for over-the-air vehicle software updates. The incident highlights the regulatory challenges foreign tech companies face in China's automotive sector, particularly regarding advanced driver-assistance systems and data security regulations governing remote software modifications.
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Tesla Halts Free FSD Trial in China Amid Compliance Speculation
Tesla has reportedly suspended the distribution of a software update intended to provide Chinese customers with a one-month free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) assisted driving system. The service, priced at RMB 64,000 ($8,816), was initially scheduled for a limited-time offer running from March 17 to April 16 for users with compatible hardware and updated navigation maps. According to Chinese blogger Pang Hu Shawn, who broke the news on Weibo on March 23, the automaker has stopped issuing the necessary update just a week after the trial period began. It remains unclear if or when Tesla will resume the promotional deal. This sudden halt has sparked widespread online speculation that Tesla may not have fully completed the compliance procedures required by the Chinese government for over-the-air vehicle software updates. The incident highlights the regulatory challenges foreign tech companies face in China's automotive sector, particularly regarding advanced driver-assistance systems and data security regulations governing remote software modifications.
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