Tesla is pushing back against rumours that it is scaling back its Full Self-Driving (FSD) plans in China, confirming its Shanghai data center remains operational and work on bringing FSD to the country is continuing.
The rumours began circulating on Chinese social media this week, claiming Tesla had emptied its Shanghai data center, withdrawn teams involved with the project, and eliminated related positions.
As Tesla typically does with rumours, especially in China, the company has denied those claims, telling local media outlet Tencent Tech that the data center continues to operate normally. The company also said hiring for positions related to FSD is accelerating and that development work is progressing. (via CNEvPost)
Tesla China has even taken the additional step of reporting the rumours to local police.
Website change sparked FSD speculation
Part of the confusion appears to have come from Tesla’s North American support website, where it currently lists 12 markets where customers can subscribe to FSD Supervised. That list includes Canada, the United States, Australia, South Korea and several European countries, but not China.
However, that list specifically identifies markets where an FSD subscription is available. Elsewhere on Tesla’s website, China continues to be included among markets where FSD is available.
Tesla continues preparing FSD for China
Tesla’s preparations to launch FSD in China have been underway for years. Its Shanghai data centre was opened in 2021 to keep data generated by Chinese vehicles within the country, while an AI training centre in Shanghai’s Lingang area reportedly began operating earlier this year.
Tesla has also been adapting its system for China’s unique roads and driving environment. Tesla has renamed the system in China, instead calling it “Tesla Assisted Driving,” while continuing to say its complete functionality would arrive “later.”
While Tesla’s latest response makes it clear they haven’t abandoned plans to launch FSD in China, it is still unclear when that will actually happen, despite claims from CEO Elon Musk earlier this year that it could launch in February.
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