Musk: Tesla expects approval for self-driving features in China

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company expects to receive full approval for its advanced driver-assistance system in China by February or March.

Tesla, which currently has partial approval to test its software in China, rebranded its system locally to comply with rules requiring clear communication about feature capabilities.

The US-based EV maker has been seeking approval from Chinese regulators as it faces competition from domestic brands and aims to boost local sales.

Earlier this year, Tesla reached an agreement with Baidu for mapping and navigation, and addressed some data-security requirements set by Chinese authorities.

Full rollout in China has been paused as the company awaits regulator sign-off.

In Europe, Tesla’s system has not yet been approved for public use, and Musk urged customers there to lobby for regulatory approval.

US safety officials are investigating Tesla over reported incidents involving its driver-assistance software violating traffic laws, as well as other probes into vehicle features and crash reporting.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

China ‘full approval’ spans autonomy rules

Tesla said its driver-assistance could win “full approval” by Feb or March, likely beyond pilots, scope unclear as China grades L0 to L5 with L3 under rulemaking and L4 or L5 facing tighter checks. L3 sets human–machine rules with takeover steps. L4 or L5 add MIIT entry for mass-market cars and the 2021 Automotive Data Security Provisions. Pilots can limit zones in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen 1.
Baidu mapping pact clears one hurdle but Tesla must follow the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law, which keep key data in China and trigger reviews for cross-border transfers. It also needs graded network security with real-time monitoring and vulnerability patching 1.

Cloud and data firms gain from China

Firms handling auto data in China must store important data locally under the 2021 Automotive Data Security Provisions. CAC requires a security review before export and treats vehicle location as sensitive. Important data includes external imagery and datasets over 100,000 people. By March 2025, CAC had reviewed 298 export cases with 15.9% rejected for important data. This boosts demand for cloud storage, edge computing, and MLOps that keep training data plus model outputs in China 2 3.
Providers can pitch tools that meet MIIT’s Important Data Identification Guidelines to automakers and autonomous driving suppliers. Effective April 2025, the guidelines define and grade important data. CAC’s 2025 audit rules also require a Data Protection Officer when handling personal data on over 1 million people 4 5.