(Bloomberg) — Tesla Inc. is close to overcoming a major hurdle in bringing its advanced assisted driving features to China by partnering with Baidu Inc. in mapping and navigation functions, people familiar with the company said. case.
Most read on Bloomberg
The U.S. automaker will then be able to roll out its self-driving services based on lane-level navigation and mapping provided by the Beijing-based internet company, said the sources, who asked not to be named when discussing private information. Baidu is one of 20 qualified vendors with the key module for autonomous driving functions.
The move comes after Tesla Chairman and CEO Elon Musk made an unannounced trip to China on Sunday to seek approval for driver-assistance software that could help stop the automaker’s revenue decline automobile. Although the suite of features requires constant supervision and does not make Tesla autonomous, the American company charges $8,000 to purchase FSD, or $99 per month for a subscription.
Read more: Musk makes surprise visit to China in search of boost in Tesla revenue
Musk met with Premier Li Qiang, who as secretary of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai helped the company establish what is now its largest factory in the world.
In another move, Tesla also met a key data security and privacy requirement in China, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, which would help ease some of the concerns about the company’s data security issues. You’re here.
Tesla switched to Baidu in 2020 for in-car mapping and navigation in China, and the new level of partnership aims to address mapping issues for more advanced autonomous driving features. Representatives for Tesla and Baidu did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Most read from Bloomberg Businessweek
©2024 Bloomberg LP
