Tesla China Renames FSD to "Tesla Assisted Driving," Clarifies L2 Classification

On May 24, Tesla China officially renamed its previously named "FSD" feature to "Tesla Assisted Driving." All references to "FSD" and terms like "Autopilot" have been removed from relevant webpages, while the product price remains unchanged at RMB 64,000. This renaming is in response to domestic regulatory requirements stipulating that Level 2 (L2) driver assistance systems must not use potentially misleading terms such as "fully automatic" or "autonomous driving." Tesla emphasized that the system is an L2-level assisted driving feature, requiring drivers to remain fully attentive and keep their hands on the wheel at all times. Previously, the feature had been marketed under names including "FSD," "FSD Intelligent Assisted Driving," and "Intelligent Assisted Driving." On the same day, Li Bin, founder of NIO, stated that the automotive industry has transitioned from point-to-point competition to systemic competition, with brand value and influence becoming increasingly prominent. He further noted that the new energy vehicle (NEV) market is moving from a "brand chaos phase" into a "brand clarification phase." Xiaopeng Vice President commented on social media that Xiaopeng might be the only automaker welcoming Tesla’s FSD entry into China. Feng Xingya, Chairman of GAC Group, pointed out that the automotive industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation characterized by the convergence of four critical phases: deep industrial restructuring, rapid technological iteration, management model reinvention, and reshaping of competitive dynamics—marking the beginning of an industry-wide elimination round. Geely Galaxy announced that its newly launched Xingyao 7 MAX received over 10,000 firm orders within 23 hours (as of 00:00 on May 23, 2026). Priced between RMB 108,800 and RMB 139,800, the series features multiple configurations upgraded to the MAX all-wheel-drive variant. Yu Hao, founder of Dreame Technology, revealed that Dreame Automotive expects to begin mass production in approximately 18 months, initially focusing on overseas markets. Announced models include the Nebula Next series and a flagship SUV featuring rear-hinged "suicide doors." SAIC Motor announced it will reach a cumulative production and sales milestone of 100 million vehicles by the end of May, becoming the first Chinese automaker to achieve this scale. VOYAH launched its five-seat midsize SUV, the Taishan X8, offering five trim levels priced from RMB 292,900 to RMB 379,900. Customers purchasing before June 20 will receive a RMB 10,000 cash subsidy, lowering the starting price to RMB 282,900. Within 18 hours of launch, the model garnered 15,000 firm orders, with the top-tier Ultra+ variant accounting for over 60% of total reservations. Toyota Motor Corporation announced plans to establish a passenger vehicle production line in Taiwan targeting the Japanese market, with two key compact MPVs set to be exported back to Japan starting in October. In the auto parts sector, Brembo signed a joint venture agreement with Ningbo Joyson to accelerate the localization of its Sensify™ intelligent braking system in China. Meanwhile, ROHM introduced its new RESDxVx series of ESD protection diodes, designed for high-speed data communication applications. The Zhiyuan Embodied Intelligence Industrial Base officially opened in Chengdu’s Pidu High-Tech Zone, with the first batch of 200 humanoid robots rolling off the production line. The models include the "Expedition" A3/A2 and "Lingxi" X2 series, with the facility boasting an annual production capacity of several thousand units. Market data shows that domestic NEV retail sales in May are expected to reach 950,000 units, up 12% month-over-month, with a record-high penetration rate of approximately 62.5%. Total narrow-body passenger vehicle retail sales are projected at around 1.52 million units, marking a nearly 10% sequential increase. According to Dataforce, Chinese electric vehicles accounted for over 15% of European EV sales in April—the first time surpassing this threshold. BYD and Chery’s battery-electric models saw year-over-year sales double to 38,000 units. Chinese brands are now approaching a 10% share of the overall European automotive market.