It is related to the same problem that prompted the US business to recall two million EVs.
Tesla has decided to recall 1.62 million vehicles in China due to the same safety concern with its Autopilot system that compelled the company to upgrade two million vehicles in the United States. Fixed issues will be implemented through free over-the-air (OTA) updates, just like they were in the past. These upgrades will include new features that will guarantee drivers pay attention when utilizing Tesla’s driver assistance system. Almost every Tesla that has ever been sold in the United States is impacted by this issue. This includes imported Model S and Model X automobiles, as well as Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles manufacturing in China.
It is possible for drivers to “misuse the level 2 combined driving assistance function, thereby increasing the risk of vehicle collision and posing safety risks,” as stated by the State Administration for Market Regulations (SAMR) in China. When the Autosteer function of Tesla is activated, the over-the-air update will include additional controls and alerts that encourage drivers to continue monitoring the vehicle. This is similar to what will happen in the United States.
Additionally, Tesla is recalling 7,538 imported Model S and Model X vehicles in order to solve a problem that may prevent doors from unlocking in the case of a collision. This is an issue that was also addressed earlier in the month in the United States. Additionally, that recall will be carried out with an over-the-air update, so there will be no need for customers to visit Tesla stores.
During the time that it is monitoring Tesla’s repairs, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has maintained its investigation into the safety controls of Autopilot. Following 11 accidents involving parked first responder cars that occurred between 2018 and 2018, the regulatory body announced in August of last year that it would be initiating an investigation into Autopilot. These accidents resulted in 17 injuries and one fatality. Shortly after that, the regulatory body wrote a letter to Tesla in which it demanded comprehensive paperwork on Autopilot. The regulator wanted to know how it assures that human drivers will keep their eyes on the road when Autopilot is active, as well as whether or not there are restrictions on the locations where it can be utilized.
Tesla said earlier this week that it had delivered a record-breaking 1.8 million electric vehicles all over the world. China was the company’s largest market by a significant margin, accounting for more than half of those electric vehicles (944,779 total). In a single year, the Shanghai facility of Tesla is capable of producing up to 1.1 million Model 3 and Model Y automobiles for the Chinese market, in addition to exporting these vehicles to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.