Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
Tesla has started to test its full self driving (FSD) software in China as it looks to expand its advanced software to both Europe and the Asian regions.
Last September, Tesla posted an update to its AI roadmap revealing that it expects to launch its FSD software both in Europe and China in the first quarter of 2025. However, the company said the confirmation of the rollout is still pending regulatory approval.
X user Chris Zheng, known for revealing updates on Tesla’s developments in the Chinese market, said in a post on Monday that he received a video showing a Tesla testing its assisted driving software.
“I just received a 55-second FSD video. Despite careful blurring of all key details, one specific detail still confirms that the video was filmed in China — Tesla is conducting public road testing and validation of FSD in China,” the Shanghai-based content creator wrote on X.
In 2024, China surpassed the U.S. and became Tesla’s largest market, with 659,282 vehicles sold. Sales in the U.S. fell from 657,626 to 623,152 units, according to the data analyst Troy Teslike.
Elon Musk said last September that Right Hand Drive markets (such as the UK) will follow in the late first quarter or early second quarter of 2025. “Hopefully, RHD markets in late Q1, early Q2, pending regulatory approval,” Musk wrote.
Tesla shares are down nearly 7%, trading at $379 during Monday’s pre-market session, as U.S. technology firms face a sharp decline. The decline followed concerns over AI competitiveness after Chinese startup DeepSeek cast doubt on U.S. leadership in the sector.
