Overview
- Elon Musk told Tesla’s annual meeting the company expects full Chinese approval for its driver-assistance software in February or March 2026, with no comment from China’s industry ministry.
- FSD has been only partially approved in China since February 2025, with limits that bar gear changes, prevent end-to-end autonomous trips between parking spaces, and challenge local sign recognition.
- Tesla’s share of the Chinese market has fallen to about 8% from a 15.4% peak in early 2023 as domestic brands promote comparable driver-assist features at no extra cost.
- Some buyers in China paid 64,000 yuan for the feature expecting a swift full rollout, turning the prolonged approval process into a source of tension with the automaker.
- U.S. regulators at NHTSA continue to investigate Tesla’s FSD system, adding to the regulatory backdrop as the company seeks expanded permissions in China.