Tesla to recall over 285,000 cars in China because of faulty software
27 June, 2021
Electric car giant Tesla will recall over 285,000 cars from the Chinese market after a study found issues with its assisted driving software that might lead to road collisions, a government regulator announced.
Tesla would contact afflicted users to upgrade their vehicle's software remotely free of charge, a State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) notice said, adding that it impacts some imported and domestically created Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
"The recall plan was filed with the State Administration of Market Regulation, and it had been decided to recall the following vehicles from today," SAMR said.
The order is the latest blow to the American self-driving car pioneer, which includes come under growing regulatory scrutiny in China because of several deadly collisions involving Tesla vehicles lately.
"Due to problems with the cruise control system... the driver may easily activate the cruise control function in error," the Chinese government agency said in the notice.
"A sudden increase in vehicle speed will occur, that could... in extreme cases, result in a collision, posing safety hazards."
The carmaker in addition has been targeted by numerous social media complaints from Chinese users regarding quality and service issues, culminating in a high-profile customer protest at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.
The cruise control function, which "matches the speed of your vehicle to that of the surrounding traffic" is a key part of Tesla's Autopilot assisted driving function, in line with the manufacturer's website.
Tesla's road in China were paved with gold after founder Elon Musk was granted rare permission to create a wholly owned factory in Shanghai which has allowed it to accelerate to the top of the pack in China's huge electric car market.
The business is hugely popular in China, where it sells one from every four of its cars.
The firm announced last month it will be setting up a data center in China, following user backlash over fears that their data could be passed to the U.S.
Source: japantoday.com