Tesla recalls nearly 5,000 Model Xs in China: No need to go to the store, OTA remote repair problem

Tesla Motors (Beijing) Co., Ltd. recently filed a recall plan with the State Administration for Market Regulation, involving a total of 4,787 imported Model X vehicles. Due to insufficient calibration of the brake fluid level sensor signal, these vehicles may not be able to alarm in time when the brake fluid level is low, increasing the risk of collision.

To solve this problem, Tesla will use the car remote upgrade (OTA) technology to upgrade the software for free for vehicles within the recall range, correct the signal calibration range, and ensure that the alarm can be accurately issued when the brake fluid level is low. Users can complete the software upgrade without going to the store and enjoy a safer driving experience.

OTA technology refers to the technology of remotely managing and updating the software and hardware of a car through a mobile communication network or a wireless network. OTA technology can enable continuous iteration of car functions, improve user experience, save after-sales costs, and also provide new business models and value-added services for car manufacturers.

Tesla is a leader and promoter of OTA technology, and has widely used OTA technology in its products. It can not only update application software such as infotainment systems and navigation maps (SOTA), but also update firmware (FOTA) such as engine, gearbox, battery and other control systems, and even add new functions such as autonomous driving.

Tesla Model X is a luxury electric SUV that was launched in China in 2015 and is currently priced between 800,000 yuan and 1.4 million yuan. The model is equipped with Tesla's latest battery technology and autonomous driving system, with a range of more than 500 kilometers and excellent performance.

The recalled vehicles were produced between October 13, 2021 and September 28, 2023, accounting for a small proportion of the sales of this model in the Chinese market.

Tesla's use of OTA technology for recalls shows its attention and responsibility to the Chinese market. Tesla faces fierce competition and challenges in the Chinese market, not only from other international brands, but also from domestic new energy vehicle brands. The application of OTA technology allows Tesla to repair vehicle failures in a timely manner to avoid user inconvenience, and also allows Tesla to continuously optimize vehicle performance and increase user stickiness, thereby maintaining its competitiveness and leading position in the Chinese market.

The OTA recall of Tesla Model X is also a typical case in the smart car industry, demonstrating the new era of software-defined cars.

With the development trend of intelligent, connected, electrified and shared vehicles, cars will increasingly rely on software to achieve functions and innovations. Software-defined cars are cars whose functions and performance are mainly determined by software rather than hardware.

The advantage of software-defined cars is that they can achieve functional enhancements, performance improvements, and fault repairs through software upgrades without having to replace hardware or recall vehicles. This can greatly reduce the life cycle cost of cars, extend the service life of cars, and increase the value retention rate of cars, while also bringing users a better driving experience and more personalized choices.

91che believes that OTA technology is the key technology to realize software-defined cars, which allows cars to be upgraded remotely through wireless networks without the need for users to go to the store or insert USB flash drives. OTA technology has become a standard and essential function for smart cars, and more and more automakers and suppliers are accelerating the development and application of OTA technology.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.