Tesla is making noticeable progress toward launching its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in China. Recent updates observed by Tesla enthusiasts in the country show that some vehicles now have a button for enabling FSD (Supervised), though it’s not yet functional.
Over the weekend, images of this FSD (Supervised) button appeared on social media, shared by Tesla watchers. The button, while disabled for now, is located in the same section of the menu as features like Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer (Beta), much like the setup in Tesla vehicles in North America.
The images also reveal that to enable FSD (Supervised), Tesla drivers in China will need updated navigation maps. These maps must be downloaded via a Wi-Fi connection, as mentioned in the system message accompanying the new button.
The appearance of this button has generated excitement among Tesla owners and EV fans in China, a country eager to see the release of Tesla’s advanced self-driving system. Even Tesla’s competitors, such as Xpeng, have expressed interest in seeing how FSD performs in China.
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There have been hints in recent months that Tesla has been working hard to bring FSD to China. When Elon Musk visited China unexpectedly in April, local authorities confirmed that Tesla and other automakers like BYD had met the country’s data-processing requirements. Tesla also reached a deal with Baidu for mapping and navigation data, which is crucial for FSD’s functionality.
By June, reports indicated that 10 Tesla vehicles in Shanghai’s Nanhui New Town were being used in a pilot program to test FSD. During Tesla’s second-quarter 2024 earnings call, Elon Musk expressed optimism, expecting FSD to be approved in China by the end of the year.