Tesla launches limited Full Self-Driving in China to mixed reviews

Tesla has launched a limited version of its Full Self-Driving features in China to mixed reviews as it’s still far from what was promised.

After many delays, Tesla has now pushed an update that brings some of the advanced driver-assist features sold under its Full Self-Driving package in North America to the Chinese market.

The features are being pushed through the ‘2024.45.32.12’ update, and Tesla wrote in the release notes (translated from Chinese):

1. Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads (optimizing the existing NOA automatic assisted navigation driving function): Using Autopilot automatic assisted driving on controlled roads (main roads where road users enter and exit through ramp entrances and ramp exits) and urban roads will guide the vehicle to exit ramps and intersections according to the navigation route, and identify traffic lights at intersections to go straight, turn left, turn right, turn around, etc. It will also automatically change lanes according to speed and route. When the navigation route is not set, the optimal road will be selected according to the actual road conditions.
2. Cabin Camera: The cockpit camera above your rearview mirror can now determine whether the driver is paying attention and remind you to focus on the road through an alarm when the intelligent assisted driving system is activated. The cabin camera video is processed inside the vehicle. No one (including Tesla) has access to it.
3. Map package version updated: CN-2025.8-15218.

*The implementation time and effects of some functions may vary depending on the vehicle model and configuration.

The update has received mixed reviews from Tesla owners in China. Some of them are happy with the progress, while others are disappointed that it falls short of the self-driving capabilities Tesla promised and of the capabilities of the competition, which offers more advanced driver-assist systems for less.

Lu Panpan, a Tesla owner in China’s eastern Zhejiang province who bought a Model 3 in 2019, told Reuters:

“We can tell Tesla has no choice but to deliver a knowingly restricted system. It is hard for Tesla to catch up with the smart-driving capabilities in Chinese cars, which even makes less sense given its high pricing.”

Lu paid 56,000 yuan ($7,720) for Tesla’s FSD package. Tesla promised to deliver self-driving capability that would enable to turn your car into a robotaxi.

Instead, 6 years later, owners are getting the capability that other Chinese automakers offer in their vehicles for a fraction of the cost.

A recent report from Bloomberg claimed that Tesla plans to release another update later this year in China with better capacity, and CEO Elon Musk has claimed that he believes Tesla will release full self-driving capability in most markets within the next year – though he has been staying that every year for the last 6 years.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.