A Tesla Model S (L) and Model X are displayed at a shopping mall in Hong Kong on March 10, 2019.
The Chinese market watchdog said on Friday, May 12, that Elon Musk's Tesla informed them of its plans to upgrade the software in more than a million cars. This would allow for different braking techniques and additional warnings regarding the usage of accelerator pedals.
While the regulator noted that the move qualified as a "product recall" under Chinese law, it remained unclear whether or not owners would be required to return their cars to Tesla in order to get reimbursements.
Upcoming Software Upgrades
In a report by Reuters, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said that the US carmaker Tesla will begin providing over-the-air software upgrades to 1.1 million imported and China-made Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles beginning on May 29.
According to the report, the affected cars did not enable drivers to switch off regenerative braking and did not provide adequate notice when a driver pressed the accelerator pedal firmly. Both of these cases increased the likelihood of an accident.
Once the update is done, drivers will be alerted when they press down too hard on the accelerator, and the option to disable regenerative braking will be reinstated.
With the help of regenerative braking, excess energy created when slowing down a vehicle is stored in batteries, therefore extending the vehicle's range. For cars manufactured after 2020, Tesla removed the ability to deactivate the feature.
Known as "one-pedal driving," the technology was met with enthusiasm by certain Chinese buyers since it eliminated the need for the brake pedal.
Others, however, voiced concerns that it would lead to drivers being more perplexed. As a result, they are more likely to inadvertently press the pedal.
Report of Tesla Car Crash
In November 2022, a motorcyclist and a high school student were killed, and three others were wounded after the driver of a Model Y automobile lost control of the vehicle, prompting an investigation by Chinese authorities.
Tesla said at the time that recordings revealed the car's brake lights were off while it was speeding. Moreover, the data indicated problems, including the driver not using the brakes at any point in the trip.
Presence in China
Tesla has a large sales and production presence in China, as pointed out by CNN. In January 2019, they began construction on a massive facility near Shanghai. In only 10 months and for a fraction of the cost of a comparable operation in the US, that location has become the company's primary export center.
Vehicles are sent from the Shanghai plant to almost every market that is not in North America. It is unclear whether that factory's automobiles sold outside mainland China will be recalled.
According to USA Today, Tesla divisions in Beijing and Shanghai will send letters to owners of impacted vehicles to coordinate recall and repairs.
Tesla owners may alternatively visit www.dpac.org.cn or phone the company's customer support number, (400) 910-0707.
