Tesla plans to launch its FSD advanced driver assistance system in China and Europe in the first quarter of next year and is currently awaiting regulatory approval, according to foreign media reports.
On September 5, Tesla AI, Tesla’s official account on social media platform X, published a technology release roadmap outlining the upcoming technologies. The move suggests that Tesla is on track to receive approval for FSD from Chinese and European authorities. Tesla sees FSD as one way to boost its sales and get ahead of its Chinese competitors. Currently, Tesla’s Chinese competitors are working on similar driver assistance systems. Tesla is reported to have made progress in getting FSD into China. This comes after sources familiar with the matter revealed that Tesla CEO Musk received initial permission to deploy FSD during a visit to Beijing a few months ago. Tesla has also struck a mapping and navigation partnership deal with tech giant Baidu.
In addition, Bloomberg reported in June that people familiar with the matter revealed that Tesla has been given permission to test an advanced driver assistance system on some streets in Shanghai. The people familiar with the matter also revealed that Hangzhou may also give Tesla permission to test the system. The initial tests will be conducted by Tesla employees, the people familiar with the matter said.In July, Musk said on Tesla’s second-quarter earnings call that he expects FSD to be approved in Europe, China and other countries by the end of the year. If FSD is approved, it will help Tesla stay ahead of the curve in the Chinese market. China is Tesla’s biggest overseas market, where dozens of local brands are eating into Tesla’s market share and are accelerating the development of their own advanced driver-assistance technologies. Tesla’s wholesale sales in China fell about 6 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of this year, according to data released by the China Federation of Passenger Transportation Associations.