Tesla shares outperformed this week after Tesla AI, an affiliate of Tesla, wrote on X that its Full Self-Driving (FSD) advanced driver assistance software will be rolled out across China and Europe in the first quarter of 2025.
Tesla AI said pending FSD rollouts in China and Europe are "due to popular demand," adding that regulatory approval will first be needed to push the over-the-air update in both regions. The update would enable drivers to activate the advanced driver assistance software.
In July, CEO Elon Musk said FSD regulatory approval for both regions was likely achievable by the end of the year. He said on Thursday that FSD could be launched in right-hand drive markets sometime in the first half of next year.
Hopefully, RHD markets in late Q1, early Q2, pending regulatory approval
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 5, 2024
In April, Beijing gave Tesla the 'green light' to roll out FSD and partner with Chinese tech giant Baidu for mapping and navigation software. Tesla has satisfied multiple data security and privacy requirements to operate in the world's largest EV market.
The approval in April came just days after Musk unexpectedly visited Beijing and met with Premier Li Qiang, who was previously the Communist Party chief in Shanghai when Tesla was setting up its automobile manufacturing plant there.
Also in April, Wedbush Securities senior analyst Dan Ives told Bloomberg TV that Musk's visit to China was a major "watershed moment."
"This could open up FSD in China, which I view as unlocking what really could be the golden opportunity for them," Ives said.
At the time, Bloomberg reported that Musk's move to seek FSD approval in China was to stem Tesla's revenue slump.
Tesla AI also provided a roadmap for near-term rollouts:
September 2024
- v12.5.2 with ~3x improved miles between necessary interventions
- v12.5.2 on AI3 computer (unified models for AI3 and AI4)
- Actually Smart Summon - Cybertruck Autopark 📐
- Eye-tracking with sunglasses 🕶️
- End-to-End network on highway 🛣️
- Cybertruck FSD 📐
October 2024
- Unpark, Park and Reverse in FSD
- v13 with ~6x improved miles between necessary interventions
Due to popular demand, Tesla AI team release roadmap:
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) September 5, 2024
September 2024
- v12.5.2 with ~3x improved miles between necessary interventions
- v12.5.2 on AI3 computer (unified models for AI3 and AI4)
- Actually Smart Summon
- Cybertruck Autopark 📐
- Eye-tracking with sunglasses 🕶️
-…
Looking ahead, the long-awaited Tesla robotaxi is set to be unveiled on October 10 at the Warner Bros. Discovery movie studio in Burbank, California.
