Tesla Dispels FSD Licensing Rumors Amidst Regulatory Shifts and Political Winds
1min read On November 18, Tesla China addressed rumors regarding discussions about Full Self-Driving (FSD) system licensing with local automotive companies such as SAIC, clarifying that these claims are untrue and no such exchanges have taken place.
Previously, speculation suggested that Tesla's FSD technology might be authorized for use by SAIC in China, potentially for Robotaxi services. However, Tesla dismissed these as baseless. Industry discussions have previously touched upon Tesla's dealings with domestic manufacturers like Geely and BYD, but no concrete details have emerged.
Tesla's FSD system comprises multiple tiers, with Full Self-Driving being the most advanced, offering comprehensive autonomous driving capabilities. This system operates currently only in the USA, Canada, Australia, and select European countries. The company aims to expand FSD availability to markets like Europe and China, despite initial projections of approval by late 2023 being postponed until Q1 2025, pending regulatory endorsements.
Reports indicate that while Chinese authorities support trial operations of partial FSD features, complete regulatory approval is still pending, with ongoing evaluations. Elon Musk has also proposed allowing access to specific data to enhance FSD capabilities, offering oversight to assure compliance with local regulations.
Meanwhile, on the political front, recent developments have indicated that Elon Musk has emerged as a major beneficiary following Trump's electoral success. The alignment between Musk and the Trump administration is anticipated to favorably impact Tesla's business environment, potentially fostering a more conducive regulatory framework for electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies.
As regulatory landscapes continue to evolve, Tesla remains vigilant and proactive, ensuring its strategies are adaptive to upcoming changes that might foster its technological and market aspirations in the increasingly competitive global automotive sector.