Tesla downgraded Model 3 chip in China due to coronavirus

Tesla has said that it installed older, slower processors in new cars due to supply chain problems caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

The company was getting complaints from owners of new Model 3 vehicles in China who discovered their cars’ computers used the older chip.

Tesla stated it would upgrade the hardware free of charge, when supplies permitted.

The chip in question is used by the Tesla’s Autopilot system.

Autopilot offers semi-automatic driving by taking control of steering, accelerating and braking.

Owners of new Model 3 vehicles produced in China had expectations that they would find the 3.0 processor in their cars but instead they found the 2.5 version.

The 3.0 chip has been included in new models of the automaker since April 2019.

It processes images 21 times quicker compared to the 2.5 version.

The first Tesla Model 3 vehicles made in China were delivered to customers on January this year. But due to the coronavirus, Tesla’s factory in Shanghai closed at the end of January. It restarted on 10 February.