TESLA is recalling a huge 1.6 million electric cars in China over safety risks that could put drivers in harms way.
The company found problems with the steering and door-lock functions in the motors which could increase the risk of crashes.
AP:Associated PressTesla Model 3 – one of the electric cars to be recalled amid Tesla’s safety concerns[/caption]
ReutersOver 1.5 million Teslas have been recalled in China[/caption]
AFP – GettyTesla Model S – the cheapest on Tesla’s website goes for £80,000[/caption]
Tesla plans to use remote technology to update the car software and make them safe.
The assisted steering function in the expensive high-tech motors was found to be faulty, posing a safety risk to those behind the wheel.
And the fault with the door controls meant that if a driver crashed, the door on the side of the car not hit in the collision could be unlocked.
China, which is a huge buyer of Tesla cars, is also home to a massive manufacturing plant in Shanghai which has proved problematic for Tesla boss Elon Musk in the past.
Musk has built Tesla up to be one of the most respected names in electric cars and battery technologies.
The luxury eco-cars are lauded for being a part of the clean energy revolution and are the best-selling electric vehicles in the UK, but they do come at a pretty hefty price.
Four different models of the electric cars are set to be recollected, the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y.
China’s market regulator said on Friday: “Starting from now, a total of 1,610,105 imported Model S, Model X, and Model 3, and domestic Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles with production dates between August 26, 2014 and December 20, 2023 will be recalled.
“For vehicles within the scope of this recall, when the automatic assisted steering function is turned on, the driver may misuse the level two combined assisted driving function, increasing the risk of vehicle collision and posing a safety hazard.”
Over 7,500 of the recalled cars made between 2022 and 2023 were found to have faulty door lock controls.
So-called “over-the-air” tech will be used to fix the problems with the cars remotely.
The Model 3 starts at around £40,000, while the cheapest Model S on the Tesla website goes for £80,000.
And the Model X is £67,000 for a used model.
Just last May, the Tesla company in Shanghai was forced to halt production over supply chain issues.
Reuters reported an internal memo which said the Shanghai Tesla plant failed to get the right parts to assemble the vehicles.
COVID-19 lockdowns and related supply chain shortages had combined to stunt the China production.
It comes just weeks after Elon Musk revealed ambitious plans to turn the company’s latest electric car into a boat.
Tesla‘s Cybertruck, which is due to go on sale in 2025, could potentially float on water.
CEO Musk said the vehicle could tread water for 100m – giving drivers the option to use a flooded road.
He even said the only adaption they need to do to make it work is upgrade the seal on the doors.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk said: “We are going to offer a mod package that enables Cybertruck to traverse at least 100m of water as a boat.
“Mostly just need to upgrade cabin door seals.”
Tesla also recently unveiled its newest EV Supercharger, the V4 – and anyone with an electric car can use the branded chargers.
The company said it has been “specifically designed to facilitate non-Tesla vehicles using the supercharging network”.
The V4 Supercharger was first launched in Europe in Harderwijk, the Netherlands, in March last year..