Tesla launches one month free FSD trial in China
Tesla announced today a one-month free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature for Chinese customers. The trial will run from March 17 to April 16, giving selected Tesla owners the opportunity to experience the company’s advanced driver assistance technology.
According to Tesla, the FSD feature will be pushed to compatible vehicles gradually, though the company notes that complete coverage may not be possible due to various factors. Tesla emphasizes that despite its advanced capabilities, the system remains classified as a Level 2 combined driving assistance feature as defined by Chinese standard GB/T 40429-2021.
In its official statement, Tesla clarified that the feature “may not implement new functions in all real-world scenarios” and performance “may vary based on actual road conditions, weather, and other factors.” The company stressed that driver intervention remains essential, as failing to intervene in time could result in risks including collisions or failure to accurately identify traffic signals or road signs.
Tesla reminds users to always keep both hands on the steering wheel, pay attention to road conditions and surrounding traffic, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and be prepared to take immediate action, especially when driving in blind curves, intersections, and narrow roads. The company explicitly states that drivers remain legally responsible for any traffic violations, accidents, tickets, or penalties that may occur while using the system.
The FSD trial includes city street navigation capabilities, allowing the vehicle to exit highways, navigate intersections, recognize traffic signals, make turns, and change lanes automatically according to navigation routes or road conditions. The system also utilizes the cabin camera to monitor driver attention.
Customers can verify their eligibility by checking for map version CN-2025.8-15218 and software version 2024.45.32.12 in their vehicle. When updated, the touchscreen will display “FSD Smart Driving Assistance” on the Autopilot settings page.
For customers interested in purchasing the feature after the trial, Tesla offers FSD Smart Driving Assistance at 64,000 yuan (8,900 USD), with a discounted upgrade price of 32,000 yuan(4,450 USD) for vehicles already equipped with Enhanced Autopilot.
This year, Tesla has experienced a decline in sales both globally and in China. The launch of FSD trial program in China appears to be an attempt to boost revenue, though the effectiveness of this strategy remains to be seen.
