Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has landed in Beijing, China, following the postponement of his planned trip to India. Musk’s visit to China comes at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV and Reuters. His agenda reportedly includes discussions on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology within China, a significant market for the electric vehicle (EV) maker.
The focus of Musk’s discussions is Tesla’s advanced FSD technology, a crucial aspect of its Autopilot system. Tesla aims to introduce FSD into new markets pending regulatory approvals. However, the company has faced challenges in China, with its vehicles previously barred from certain government facilities due to cybersecurity concerns related to onboard cameras.
Tesla’s presence in China has been marked by its Shanghai factory, a vital production hub responsible for more than half of the company’s global deliveries. Despite ongoing success in the Chinese market, Tesla has recently undergone significant changes, including a substantial job reduction and the departure of key executives. Additionally, Tesla has slashed prices in key markets like the US and China, and its recent earnings report highlighted challenges in growth, leading to plans for launching lower-cost EV models to address market demands.
Musk’s visit to China coincides with his decision to delay his highly anticipated visit to India. In a statement, Musk cited “heavy Tesla obligations” as the reason for the postponement but expressed eagerness to visit India later in the year.
Sources By Agencies
