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Tesla says its cabin camera is not active in its China-built cars

Credit: YouTube/Andy Slye

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Tesla has released a new statement concerning recent developments of security concerns with its China-built cars. Recently, Tesla’s all-electric vehicles underwent a security review from Chinese officials, who were concerned that the cameras on and inside of the vehicle could be used to transmit sensitive government information to the U.S. as relations between the two countries have been complicated.

Chinese Gov’t tells Military, Gov’t personnel not to drive Teslas on State-related property

In the initial article from the Wall Street Journal from mid-March, Chinese government officials raised privacy concerns regarding the eight external and single cabin cameras outfitted on Tesla vehicles. Government employees, workers for State-related contractors, and Military personnel were all told to refrain from navigating Tesla cars on sensitive properties. The cameras on a Tesla are used for several reasons. Still, several Chinese government interests believed that they could be utilized to collect sensitive information that the United States could use against China.

In response to the accusations, Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded by stating that its vehicles are not recording any information that the government could utilize because of legal issues. “There’s a very strong incentive for us to be very confidential with any information. If Tesla used cars to spy in China or anywhere, we will get shut down,” Musk said in an interview shortly after the WSJ article.

Tesla’s Company Response: Cameras aren’t active

Tesla has officially responded to the Chinese government’s concerns in posting on the Customer Support Weibo account it operates in China. The statement indicates that the cabin cameras are not activated outside of the North American market and that it is up to the driver to determine whether the camera needs to be active or stagnant.

The company went into more detail (via AutoHome China):

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“Recently, there has been a discussion on the Internet about ‘Tesla monitors the owner through the camera in the car.’ In order to eliminate unnecessary misunderstandings, the following is specifically stated: 

The vehicles used by Tesla users do not infringe on the privacy of users through the in-vehicle camera. 

All Tesla user vehicles on the Chinese market have not turned on their in-vehicle cameras, nor are they involved in FSD Beta testing.

Tesla’s privacy protection policy complies with national laws and regulations. Like you, Tesla attaches great importance to the protection of user privacy. We are equipped with a network security system with the world’s leading security level to ensure user privacy protection. Thank you again for your attention to Tesla.”

The cabin camera was recently activated to monitor drivers who are a part of the FSD Beta program. The cabin camera is used to monitor whether the driver is paying attention to the road and its surroundings. If the vehicle’s cabin camera notices the driver is not attentive, it will revoke FSD Beta testing capabilities from that driver. It is a safety precaution to ensure the Beta testing sequence of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving systems goes smoothly, as an accident or mistake caused by an inattentive driver could send Tesla’s development of semi-autonomous driving functionalities back several years.

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However, FSD Beta is only available to drivers in the United States at the current time, but it could make its way to Canada and other markets shortly. However, the Chinese market is not being used to test the FSD Beta, and there is no indication of when Tesla will roll out the functionality to other regions. Ultimately, it comes down to traffic and road rules being understood by Tesla’s self-driving software. “Very important to make sure this is done right,” Musk once said when talking about the suspended release of the FSD suite in other countries.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

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Tesla trims Model 3 Long Range RWD price in China by RMB 10,000

The update was implemented by Tesla just weeks after the variant’s introduction.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/X

Tesla has cut the price of its recently introduced long-range rear-wheel drive (RWD) Model 3 in China.

The update was implemented by the electric vehicle maker just weeks after the variant’s introduction. 

Tesla China’s Model 3 lineup

The Model 3 RWD Long Range, which carries a CLTC range of 830 kilometers, is now priced from RMB 259,500 ($36,390), down RMB 10,000 ($1,400) from its initial RMB 269,500 ($37,800) price. Deliveries for the updated variant are currently listed at 1-3 weeks for new orders.

Tesla introduced the long-range RWD Model 3 in China on August 12, positioning it as a longer range alternative to the entry-level Model 3 RWD, which is priced at RMB 235,500 ($33,000). Despite the recent update to the price of the Model 3 RWD Long Range, the cost for the other three Model 3 trims remains unchanged. 

Delivery times for the base Model 3 RWD and Model 3 Dual Motor AWD are listed at 1–3 weeks across the range, while the Model 3 Performance is listed at 3–5 weeks.

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Sales momentum and exports

Tesla continues to offer purchase incentives this month, including five-year zero-interest financing and an RMB 8,000 insurance subsidy, as noted in a CNEV Post report.

Model 3 sales in China reached 9,851 units in July, down 0.78% year-on-year and 40.8% month-over-month compared to June. Still, cumulative sales for the Model 3 between January and July totaled 101,770 units, reflecting a 26.5% year-on-year increase in sales.

Exports of the Model 3 stood at 12,197 units in July, down 46.5% year-on-year but surging 228.8% from June. For the first seven months of 2024, Model 3 exports totaled 70,718 units, a 42% decline.

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Mysterious smaller Tesla spotted at Giga Texas crash test facility

The vehicle happened to be sandwiched between Tesla Model Y units, emphasizing its seemingly smaller dimensions.

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Credit: @JoeTegtmeyer/X

A rather mysterious Tesla vehicle was spotted during a recent drone flyover of the Giga Texas complex.

The vehicle, which was covered in a protective sheet, happened to be sandwiched between Tesla Model Y units, emphasizing its seemingly smaller dimensions.

A recent sighting

The covered vehicle was sighted by longtime Giga Texas watcher and drone operator Joe Tegtmeyer, who has long been following the developments and progress of the facility. In his recent flyover, which was done on August 29, the drone operator was also able to snap some footage near Giga Texas’ crash test facility.

Based on the video, one could see that Tesla has been busy crash testing some of its vehicles. A number of Model Y units could be seen near the test site, including one that had coverings on its front. In between two Model Ys was a vehicle that looked smaller and whose roofline looked a bit different. This vehicle has caught the attention of electric vehicle watchers, some of whom speculated whether it was the Cybercab or perhaps Tesla’s more affordable car.

Affordable models

During the second-quarter earnings call, Elon Musk highlighted that Tesla started production of more affordable models in June. These vehicles, the executive noted, would be made available to everyone this coming fourth quarter. “We’ll be running with the more affordable models available for everyone in Q4,” Musk said at the time. “The goal with those products was not to negatively impact revenue or gross margin, but just to make a car that everyone loves and wants at a more affordable price.”

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While an affordable Tesla is exciting, some Tesla watchers also suggested that the covered vehicle in the drone operator’s recent flyover could have been a Cybercab, which has already been unveiled and which is notably smaller than a Model 3 or Model Y. The Cybercab is expected to start mass production sometime next year, with initial runs likely starting this 2025. 

Watch the drone operator’s recent video of the Giga Texas facility below.

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Tesla to make app change for easier communication following Service

“Looking into it. After a service visit is complete, we close the in-app messaging option after 2 hours. We will change this to 24hours or more.”

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla will enhance the ability to communicate through the mobile app with Service after work has been done on your car.

One of the biggest weaknesses of Tesla’s automotive division has been Service, as Service Centers are not necessarily plentiful, and wait times, in some regions of the country, are over a month in duration.

Getting in touch with Service after a car has work done to it is also difficult. Calling showrooms in some regions has proven to be difficult to enable direct communication between the customer and the company.

If something is not resolved properly, Tesla keeps the in-app messaging option active for two hours after the service visit is complete.

However, that doesn’t resolve everything, as some issues may arise again more than two hours later. Then the issue of communication presents itself once again.

Tesla is going to extend that time frame to a day or more, according to Raj Jegannathan, Tesla’s AI/IT-Infra, Cybersecurity, IT Apps & Vehicle Service VP.

Tesla has made several changes over the past few years to attempt to improve its Service. Recently, for Collision repair, it started offering a $45-per-day loaner program with free FSD, free tolls, and free Supercharging.

It also recently started sharing local and regional leader contact information so customers have the ability to reach out when they have complaints or disagree with warranty claims, changes in estimates, or initial diagnostics.

Tesla creates clever solution to simplify and improve its Service

However, this is only available at a few showrooms and is currently a pilot program.

These improvements are aimed at resolving communication breakdown, which appears to be a problem that many owners experience.

Tesla is one of the few companies that also operates a fleet of Mobile Repair vehicles, which will perform service at your house or place of business. However, the size of it has gone down by 11 percent year over year.

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