Xpeng CEO Takes Tesla’s Full Self-Driving for a Spin in the US – Here’s Why It Matters
He Xiaopeng, the influential CEO of Xpeng, has recently been spotted in the United States. But this isn’t just any business trip. Xiaopeng has seized the opportunity to test Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in real-world conditions, as China gears up for this breakthrough feature later this year.
In a statement shared on Weibo, Xiaopeng said, “I’m visiting the US for a longer period of time this time and dropping by to test the latest version of FSD and Waymo version.” He has been experimenting with Tesla’s FSD V12.3.6 and openly expressed his interest in accessing the 12.4.1 internal beta, if it’s available.
Engaging actively with his followers, Xiaopeng asked for their thoughts on potential comparisons between Tesla’s FSD and Xpeng’s own XNGP (Navigation Guided Pilot). According to the location tagged in his Weibo posts, Xiaopeng is currently based in San Francisco, a hub for tech innovation and autonomous vehicle testing.
Taking a Snapshot of Tesla’s Latest Tech
Xiaopeng even shared an image on Weibo showcasing the specific version of Tesla’s FSD software he is testing. It was only a few weeks ago that Tesla CEO Elon Musk made headlines with his unannounced visit to China at the end of April. Bloomberg revealed that Musk was in talks to gain approval for deploying Tesla’s FSD driver assistance software in China, a move that underscores Tesla’s ambition in this fast-evolving market. Tesla’s collaboration with Baidu for mapping and navigation has been a key milestone towards overcoming regulatory challenges.
Opening Doors for a Smarter Automotive Future
On Weibo, Xiaopeng welcomed the prospect of Tesla’s FSD in China and lauded Tesla’s progress in autonomous driving technology. He emphasized that the influx of advanced technology would stimulate market competition, enhance customer experiences, and speed up market development. His comments reflect a broader optimism about the potential benefits of welcoming Tesla’s cutting-edge solutions into the Chinese market.
Closer than Ever to Reality
Signs are pointing towards Tesla’s FSD making its debut in China sooner rather than later. On May 30, Reuters reported that Tesla was taking steps to register its FSD software with Chinese authorities, targeting a launch sometime this year. The formal registration with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology would enable Tesla employees to conduct internal tests of FSD on public roads, paving the way for broader consumer access.
Additionally, news from SH Observer on June 14 indicated that Shanghai’s Nanhui New Town is facilitating a pilot test of FSD with a fleet of 10 Tesla vehicles. This development complements Tesla’s strategy of incremental and controlled rollouts while ironing out any potential hiccups specific to Chinese road conditions.
A Roadmap to Autonomy
In China, every Tesla is equipped with the Basic Autopilot (BAP) software for free. For those eager for more advanced features, Tesla offers Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) and FSD software at an additional cost of RMB 32,000 ($4,410) and RMB 64,000, respectively. At present, without extensive algorithm training tailored for Chinese roads, the performance differences between the free BAP and the paid EAP or FSD are minimal, though features like summoning bring some added benefits.
However, Tesla’s FSD V12 is garnering attention beyond its brand power; its technology is setting new benchmarks in the industry. Chinese automakers are taking note, and many are beginning to experiment with similar end-to-end autonomous driving technologies. In May, Xpeng announced that its urban NGP, which uses this cutting-edge technology, now covers over 300 cities.
This hands-on approach by Xiaopeng not only underscores the competitive spirit between leading innovators but also highlights the rapidly accelerating pace at which autonomous driving technologies are being embraced and integrated across the globe.