By CHEN Xiaotong
Tesla has announced a so-called recall of more than 1.1 million models S, X, 3 and Y, both imported and China-made, produced between January 12, 2019, and April 24, 2023.
The “massive recall” is not in reality a recall, but a remote software upgrade, due to “concerns” over the regenerative braking system, and problems associated with a car traveling too fast when the driver floors the accelerator for too long.
History of continuous upgrades
The recall comes amid a rough year in China for Tesla. Following price cuts at the start of the year, Tesla owners in China protested at showrooms after missing out on the discounts.
This is Tesla's second major recall this year. In the US, Tesla issued a recall in February for more than 360,000 vehicles equipped with its full self-driving software.
Of the 5,000,000 cars Tesla has recalled in its history, 81 percent have been since January 2022. Almost all the vehicles (99 percent) were fixed with software updates that didn't require customers to go to a dealership or replace parts.
Drivers’ right to choose
This current recall was initiated when the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) began an investigation. A SAMR statement said that “depressing the accelerator pedal leads to a collision risk caused by excessive speed.” Other problems were the lack of “regenerative braking intensity selection.”
Tesla used to offer two regenerative braking modes: “low” and “normal,” but axed the “low” mode in more recent builds because “normal” was the more efficient, with savings in range and less wear on brake parts.
However, Tesla is already rolling out the reintroduction of the “low” regenerative braking mode in the US and the “recall” in China amounts to the same thing.
The updates will allow drivers to choose their own regenerative braking option. It will also issue warnings if the accelerator pedal is depressed for too long. Tesla said pedal misapplication (going too fast, in layman’s terms) is a common cause of accidents.
From disruptor to dullard
Founder of Tesla Elon Musk has made it clear that 2023 is an important year for the company as it seeks to graduate from an early-adopter niche brand to a mass producer of vehicles. The CEO told investors earlier this year that Tesla plans to double its output in 2023 to two million vehicles.
Long the biggest disruptor in the car business, every day Tesla becomes more like the ICE vintage makers of a bygone age. Elon Musk's company now resorts to the same old tricks that car companies have used for time immemorial to hide their problems.
The company that once scrambled to meet rabid demand is now engaged in the same old supply-and-demand balancing act of the traditional industry dinosaurs.
This recall includes nearly all Teslas sold in China in recent years, and highlights safety concerns. It is the second recall in China this year, following the recall of 2,500 imported Model S vehicles.
