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Driver in China Blames Tesla for Autopilot Crash

The Chinese owner of a Tesla Model S electric sedan whose car sideswiped another in Beijing while in Autopilot mode blames Tesla for overstating the system’s self-driving capabilities.
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The Chinese owner of a Tesla Model S electric sedan whose car sideswiped another in Beijing while in Autopilot mode blames Tesla for overstating the system’s self-driving capabilities.

Luo Zhen admits he didn’t have his hands on the steering wheel and wasn’t paying attention when his car scraped a vehicle parked on the side of a main highway, the Financial Times reports. No one was injured in the incident.

Tesla’s Autopilot feature can automatically steer, brake and accelerate the vehicle under many conditions. The company cautions drivers to remain in full control of the car at all times. But recent crashes in the U.S., including one fatality, suggest owners don't always heed the warning.

Luo claims he had “absolutely no sense” that the Model S lacked fully autonomous driving capabilities when he bought the car. Analysts opine to FT that the Chinese translation of Autopilot may lead to owner confusion. They also suggest Lou may not have read the owner's manual.

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