Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, embarked on an unannounced visit to Beijing, sparking speculation about the electric car company’s ambitious plans for self-driving technology and data management.
According to Reuters, Musk’s visit included a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, where they discussed Tesla’s role in US-China economic cooperation.
Musk’s agenda in China includes discussions on the rollout of Full Self-Driving (FSD) software and seeking permission to transfer data overseas.
The visit to China comes shortly after Musk cancelled a planned trip to India.
Tesla’s FSD software, pushed as the most autonomous version of its Autopilot system, has yet to be introduced in China, despite growing customer demand.
Musk hinted at a possible release of FSD in China soon, responding to queries on social media.
However, Chinese rivals like Xpeng are aggressively pursuing similar autonomous driving technologies to gain a competitive edge in the market.
One of Musk’s key objectives in China is to secure approval for transferring data collected by Tesla’s Chinese fleet overseas to enhance the development of autonomous driving algorithms.
Since 2021, Tesla has complied with Chinese regulations by storing all data locally in Shanghai.
However, Musk seeks authorisation to utilise this data globally for advancing Tesla’s self-driving capabilities.
The visit indicates Tesla’s focus on leveraging Chinese resources and expertise in driving innovation.
While the discussions between Musk and Chinese officials have not been publicly disclosed, reports indicate that the meeting with Premier Li Qiang also included broader discussions on China’s automotive industry.
In the course of Tesla’s expansion efforts and technological advancements, the company faces scrutiny from US auto safety regulators regarding the adequacy of its recent vehicle recall related to Autopilot safeguards.
Additionally, Tesla confronts challenges such as declining sales and intensified competition in the EV market, primarily driven by Chinese brands.
Despite these issues, Tesla has announced plans for new, more affordable vehicle models and a futuristic “robotaxi” equipped with self-driving capabilities.
Musk’s visit coincides with the Beijing auto show, although Tesla opted not to participate in the event this year.
(With inputs from Reuters)
