Tesla broadens Full Self-Driving capabilities to Mexico, moving potential expansion ahead of China and Europe.
Tesla Expands Full Self-Driving to Mexico
In an unexpected move, Tesla has launched its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in Mexico, marking the first expansion of its advanced driver-assistance technology outside of the U.S. and Canada. The launch came as a surprise, as Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, had previously indicated that China and Europe would be the next major markets for FSD expansion in 2025.
The rollout in Mexico occurred before the expected regulatory approvals in China and Europe. Reports on social media suggest that Mexico received FSD v13.2.6 on AI4 vehicles. One of these reports was made by the Tesla Owners Mexico account, to which the Tesla AI account responded with '¡Hola México!', confirming it was an official expansion of FSD.
Tesla is likely to monitor the performance and user feedback of FSD in Mexico before proceeding with further international expansions. The company faces stringent safety and compliance standards in Europe, with regulators requiring additional validation before approving FSD. In China, there are data security laws and restrictions on mapping and autonomous driving technologies that have delayed FSD rollout.
The launch in Mexico may suggest that Tesla faced fewer regulatory hurdles in the country compared to the strict requirements in the European Union or the complexities of the Chinese market. However, it's important to note that Tesla has already expanded FSD outside of the U.S. and Canada, with Mexico being the first such expansion.
Tesla's decision to launch FSD in Mexico may be influenced by the local development and deployment of autonomous driving technology. A new Tesla generation is being built in the country, emphasizing the importance of the Mexican market for Tesla's autonomous driving strategy. China and Europe remain key targets for Tesla's future FSD expansions.
The unexpected launch in Mexico demonstrates Tesla's ability to adapt its strategy based on market conditions and regulatory opportunities. Tesla's approach underscores the company's commitment to bringing its advanced driver-assistance technology to more drivers around the world. As FSD continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see where Tesla expands next.
