Tesla has used older and slower chips with Chinese Model 3’s than previously promised, the company confirms Nikkei Asian Review on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. According to Tesla, the chips were used because of a delay in the factories by the corona virus.
Tesla’s statement came after complaints from outdated hardware by Chinese Model 3 owners. Complaints about the outdated parts came in after some Model 3 owners saw that the sticker on the chips did not match the information in the manual.
According to Tesla, the new chip used for the Model 3 autopilot system would be 21 times faster than the older chipset used in the Chinese Model 3. Tesla reports in a statement that the older chips were used due to problems in the factories, as a result of the corona virus outbreak in China. Tesla says it will replace the older chips for free.
The Tesla plant was closed at the end of January due to the coronavirus and reopened after a short closure on 10 February. The Model 3 has been delivered in China since January.