TECH

Tesla Taps Home-developed AI Models for China-Market Six-Seater EV Voice Assistant

Published: Aug. 23, 2025 3:04 a.m. GMT+8

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A Tesla Model Y electric vehicle on display at the company’s store in New Delhi, India, on Aug. 11, 2025.

Tesla Inc. is partnering with ByteDance Ltd. to bring Chinese-developed artificial intelligence (AI) into its vehicles, a move seen as both a product upgrade and a regulatory necessity in the world’s largest auto market.

ByteDance confirmed Friday that the newly launched six-seat version of Tesla’s Model Y in China will integrate two large language models — Doubao, developed in-house, and DeepSeek, supported through Volcano Engine, ByteDance’s cloud computing unit.

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Tesla is partnering with ByteDance to integrate Doubao and DeepSeek AI models into Model Y vehicles in China for enhanced voice and conversational features.
The move addresses China’s regulatory requirements and aims to improve Tesla's in-car experience, where local EVs already excel in passenger comfort and digital services.
Tesla launched a Grok-based voice assistant in the U.S.; upcoming updates may further boost AI-driven driving capabilities, aligning with industry trends toward smarter vehicle systems.

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Who’s Who

Tesla Inc.: **Tesla Inc.** is partnering with ByteDance Ltd. to integrate Chinese-developed AI, specifically the Doubao and DeepSeek large language models, into its vehicles in China. This move aims to upgrade its "smart cockpit" offerings and comply with local regulations on data processing. While globally leading in assisted driving, Tesla 's in-car infotainment in China has lagged, and this partnership seeks to enhance its voice assistant capabilities.

ByteDance Ltd.: ByteDance Ltd. is partnering with Tesla Inc. to integrate its Chinese-developed AI into Tesla's Model Y in China. ByteDance confirmed that its in-house Doubao and DeepSeek, supported by its cloud computing unit Volcano Engine, will power the voice assistant in the newly launched six-seat Model Y. This collaboration helps Tesla comply with Chinese data regulations and enhance its "smart cockpit" offerings.

Volcano Engine: Volcano Engine is ByteDance's cloud computing unit. It supports the DeepSeek large language model, which will be integrated into the six-seat version of Tesla's Model Y in China. DeepSeek will handle conversational AI for casual in-car interactions. This partnership helps Tesla comply with Chinese data regulations and enhance its "smart cockpit" offerings.

Li Auto: Li Auto, a Chinese EV maker, is incorporating VLA models into its driver-assist system, scheduled for September. This aims to make cars "drive more like humans," highlighting the industry's shift toward advanced AI integration for enhanced in-car experiences.

xAI: Elon Musk's xAI developed Grok, an AI-powered voice assistant. Tesla rolled out this AI model for its U.S. vehicles. However, due to China's data regulations, Tesla is opting for localized solutions in that market.

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