The driver of a Tesla Model S that crashed while on autopilot mode in China is claiming the accident happened because sales staff overplayed the vehicle ’s self - driving abilities . The driver claims he was misled by a Tesla demonstrator who “ took his hands off the steering wheel and took his feet off the accelerator and the brake ” during a test drive . China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology did not respond to faxed questions asking about the legality of self-driving cars, including Tesla’s autopilot function. Furthermore , a local Chinese report from Reuters has pointed out that Tesla ’s China website uses the term “ zidong jiashi ” several times to explain autopilot mode , “ which is most literally translated to mean ' self - driving . ' It is also the term for airplane autopilot , leaving room for confusion among consumers . ” Tesla insists it goes to great lengths to make clear that it requires the driver to remain engaged at all times .
The driver of a Tesla Model S that crashed while on autopilot mode in China is claiming the accident happened because sales staff overplayed the vehicle ’s self - driving abilities . The driver claims he was misled by a Tesla demonstrator who “ took his hands off the steering wheel and took his feet off the accelerator and the brake ” during a test drive . Furthermore , a local Chinese report from Reuters has pointed out that Tesla ’s China website uses the term “ zidong jiashi ” several times to explain autopilot mode , “ which is most literally translated to mean ' self - driving . ' It is also the term for airplane autopilot , leaving room for confusion among consumers . ” Tesla insists it goes to great lengths to make clear that it requires the driver to remain engaged at all times .