Tesla has started to produce cars in China, and its Shanghai Gigafactory delivered the first Model 3 in December 2019. Now Chinese customers have complained that they are getting inferior cars from the electric car specialist and some buyers have pointed out on Chinese social media that the control units in their cars run on HW2.5 chips, which are less advanced than the HW3.0 chips listed on the spec sheet.
With this, the Chinese government has stepped in, and has urged Tesla to keep its China-made vehicles consistent, Reuters reported. China’s ministry of industry and information technology, in a statement on its website has demanded Tesla to ensure product consistency, quality and safety.
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According to information HW3.0 chips are necessary for the full self-driving mode in Tesla’s driver assistance system. Tesla, in a post on its Weibo account last week, said the chip swap was due to a lack of supply of the HW3.0 chips, and that it would replace the chip for those who received cars with the HW2.5 unit.
The report also adds that like many others, Tesla’s production and delivery plans have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak, which started in China and has killed more than 3,100 people in the world’s second-biggest economy. China remains a big part of Tesla’s plans though, with an R&D center in the works, as well as development on a cheaper and longer-lasting cobalt-free LFP battery.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com