Shanghai, China – Tesla CEO Elon Musk made an unexpected visit to Beijing, China, where he reportedly met with senior officials to discuss the implementation of Full Self-Driving software and the approval to transfer data overseas. According to reports, Musk had a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, who praised Tesla’s advancements in China as a successful model of economic cooperation between the United States and China.
The electric vehicle company introduced Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology four years ago; however, it has not yet been made available in China, despite being the company’s second-largest market globally. Musk recently hinted on social media about the imminent release of FSD in China, responding to customer demands. In a bid to stay ahead of competition from Chinese automakers like Xpeng, Tesla is seeking authorization to transfer collected data from China to other countries for enhancing the development of its autonomous driving technologies.
Since 2021, Tesla has been storing all data collected by its Chinese vehicles in Shanghai in compliance with local regulations, refraining from transferring any data back to the United States. The unannounced visit by Musk to China demonstrates the importance of the Chinese market for Tesla, with the company’s Shanghai factory being its largest globally. Concurrently with Musk’s visit, the Beijing auto show is taking place, with major industry players showcasing their latest developments and technologies.
The visit by Musk coincides with recent challenges faced by Tesla, including a 10% reduction in its workforce as the company navigates through a competitive landscape led by Chinese electric vehicle brands. Additionally, U.S. auto safety regulators have initiated an investigation into Tesla’s recent recall of over 2 million vehicles in the United States, aimed at installing new safety features for its Autopilot system.
As Musk explores opportunities in the Chinese market, he emphasizes Tesla’s commitment to innovation and advancements in autonomous driving technologies. With Tesla’s significant presence in China and the growing demand for electric vehicles in the region, Musk’s visit underscores the importance of fostering partnerships and staying at the forefront of technological developments within the industry.