CEO Elon Musk arrived in Beijing on Sunday on an unannounced visit, where he is expected to meet senior officials to discuss the rollout of Full Self-Driving software and permission to transfer data overseas, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
Musk is looking to obtain approval to transfer data collected in the country abroad to train algorithms for its autonomous driving technologies, the person said. Earlier in the day, a separate report carried by state radio said Li had visited the ongoing Beijing auto show and had commented about how China’s smart new energy vehicle sector had gained a leading position in the market and that the country had to work hard and maintain its advantages.
The company said this month it would lay off 10% of its global work force as it grapples with falling sales and an intensifying price war for EVs led by Chinese brands. Musk’s visit coincides with the Beijing auto show, which opened last week and ends on May 4. Tesla does not have a booth at China’s largest auto show and last attended in 2021.