Tesla Adds Beautiful New 3D Maps in Chinese New Year Update
Tesla recently released a new update in China for the Chinese New Year. The update is version 2023.44.32 and introduces several new features that are debuting in China first. While some of the features may remain exclusive to the Chinese market, we're hopeful others will be adapted for use outside of China.
3D Maps
One of the biggest additions in the New Year update is the inclusion of new 3D maps. While Tesla relies on Google for a lot of map information that is used in most of the world, in China, Tesla leverages map data from the Chinese tech company Baidu.
The new 3D maps use a more zoomed-in view and include more detail such as the number of lanes on a road, lane markers, speed limit information, and 3D buildings. At the top corner of the display, the driver can switch between the traditional overhead map view or the new 3D format.
The 3D maps mimic the FSD visualizations in a lot of ways. While FSD visualizations are less detailed, they are rendered in real-time and display information such as pedestrians and vehicles, while the 3D maps offer stunning, detailed views of the surrounding roads.
We're unlikely to see these Baidu-powered maps outside of China, but Google and Apple do offer similar 3D maps in many parts of the world that include lane information, 3D buildings, and more.
Tesla has added a new 3D map view in update 2023.44.32 for China.
Instead of an image-based, overhead map view, these new maps show your vehicle as it moves through a 3D environment that visualizes lanes, buildings, trees and more.
While the new 3D maps almost look duplicative of the FSD visualizations, they may provide a hint at where Tesla is headed next.
If we look back at the original Cybertruck UI, we see that Tesla was experimenting with blending map data with FSD visualizations. In the prototype UI, Tesla added vehicle visualizations directly onto a 3D map and merged real-time information such as vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic lights with map data. The map data allowed the UI to include detailed views of the roads, 3D buildings and the navigation’ suggested path.
Number of Superchargers
In addition to the new 3D maps, Tesla also added another feature that aims to reduce range anxiety and offer more information about charging.
A module on the screen will now display the number of charging stations available at the next two service areas.
Zone Limit Speed Reminder
In China, there are road sections that have speed limits that are automatically measured. However, instead of determining the vehicle's speed at a given point in time, they measure the vehicle's average speed over that section of road.
If the vehicle's average speed is higher than the stated speed then the owner could be issued a ticket. To help make drivers aware of their average speed on these road, Tesla added a vehicle module that will display:
Speed limit of the section of the road
Your Tesla’s average speed in that particular section, and
How much distance is remaining for this section to end.
You need to have the Online Route Planning feature under Controls > Navigation enabled for this to work. This feature makes it clearer whether your average speed is over the limit.
Lower Volume Reversing
Next up in Tesla's Chinese New Year update is a feature that may be added globally. This new feature automatically lowers all media volume while the vehicle is reversing, letting the driver focus on the road.
The media volume automatically goes back to the previous level when the car is moved out of reverse. This new feature is optional and can be enabled under Controls > Safety > Lower volume while reversing.
Tesla Adds Beautiful New 3D Maps in Chinese New Year Update
In China, Tesla has physical ground locks on certain Superchargers that prevent vehicles from parking there unless they're charging. While this prevents things like ICEing, it adds the inconvenience of the Tesla driver having to open the Tesla app and choose a parking spot to unlock.
Tesla is now building this functionality directly into the vehicle, preventing the driver from having to pull out their phone at all.
Improved Voice Commands
In China, users have also received additional voice commands, including the ability to control windows, control light and dark mode in the vehicle, and show/hide song lyrics. China also recently added a smart voice assistant.
Chinese users also received apps that have been available in other regions for some time such as the newer Energy app, the synchronized light show as well as improvements to existing China-exclusive apps such as QQ Music.
While the majority of these features will remain exclusive to China, we may see a couple of them added to all vehicles in the future.
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In a new video posted to X, Tesla is showing the progress of its first Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cell manufacturing factory in North America. The facility, located in Sparks, Nevada, will be used to produce LFP battery cells for Megapacks and Powerwall.
However, the implications of this new factory extend beyond Tesla Energy. By on-shoring the production of these cost-effective batteries, Tesla is not only securing its energy supply chain but also opening the door to potentially reintroducing LFP-based vehicles in North America.
Nearing completion of our first LFP cell manufacturing factory in North America pic.twitter.com/OLNRWajz4l
The immediate beneficiary of the new Nevada LFP facility is Tesla’s Energy division. LFP chemistry is ideal for stationary storage products like Megapack and Powerwall. It offers a very long life cycle, is extremely thermally stable and safe, and is significantly cheaper to produce than nickel-based batteries, partly because it contains no cobalt.
Until now, Tesla has relied on suppliers like CATL in China for these cells. A dedicated, domestic supply will enable Tesla to dramatically ramp up Megapack production to meet North America’s increasing demand for grid-scale energy. On the other hand, Megafactory Shanghai continues to utilize CATL’s LFP batteries and will support the rest of the world.
Tesla first revealed that they were planning to onshore LFP production in North America at the Q1 2025 Earnings Call, which will help them avoid costs, innovate in new technology, and insulate themselves from geopolitical supply chain risks.
A Potential Return for LFP Vehicles?
Another exciting application for Tesla is what this new factory means for Tesla’s budget-oriented lineup. For years, Tesla has been constrained in its ability to offer LFP-based vehicles in North America. While LFP packs are used in other markets for specific standard-range RWD vehicles, tariffs on important Chinese cells made it difficult to import these cells for use in North America.
With a domestic supply of LFP cells produced in Nevada, this tariff-related barrier will be mostly eliminated, pending the sourcing of lithium from a North American site. This is likely to lead to the reintroduction of LFP-based vehicles to the North American market, possibly in late 2026 or 2027.
An American-made LFP pack could lead to a more affordable base Model 3 or Model Y, or potentially help Tesla cut costs on the next-generation Affordable Model even further. This helps to give customers a lower-cost entry point without sacrificing a lot of range, and with the added benefit of being able to regularly charge to 100%.
Mega Nevada
With Mega Nevada now progressing well, Tesla is in an excellent position to continue iterating on its vertical integration and scaling Megapack and Powerwall—two of Tesla’s fastest-growing businesses—further. There are tons of benefits for consumers in the future as Tesla continues down this path, with more affordable Powerwalls for the home, cheaper electricity prices thanks to grid-forming Megapacks, and cheaper LFP vehicles.
The next major upgrade for Tesla’s in-car experience is pretty much already here - just hiding beneath the surface, awaiting the flick of a switch. According to new details uncovered by Tesla hacker Greentheonly, a fully functional version of the Grok conversational AI assistant is already present in recent firmware builds, just waiting for Tesla to activate it.
The feature, which is currently behind a server-side switch, could be enabled at any time by Tesla for vehicles running update 2025.20 and newer. The findings provide a better picture of what we already learned from Green’s breakdown on Grok last month.
Grok’s Requirements
@greentheonly on X
According to what Green determined from the latest software builds, the foundation for Grok was laid with update 2025.14, with more abilities and functionality added in 2025.20 to flesh it out. He also determined exactly which vehicles will be receiving Grok.
In terms of hardware, any vehicle with a Ryzen-based infotainment computer will receive Grok. This means that vehicles with the older Intel Atom processor will not be supported, at least initially. The underlying Autopilot hardware is not a factor, as Grok’s processing is not done in-vehicle.
Grok will also require premium connectivity or a Wi-Fi connection for the vehicle. At this point, we’re not sure whether Grok in your Tesla will also require you to sign up for SuperGrok, X Premium, or X Premium+, but Tesla is requiring you to sign into your Grok account. It’s just not clear whether the free version of Grok will work, or if you’ll need the premium version.
Grok User Experience
@greentheonly on X
Green also revealed the user interface for Grok for the first time. You’ll find many of the same features from the Grok app, but surprisingly, it looks like it’ll have a dark UI, even if you’re using light mode in your vehicle.
It appears that there will be a Grok app, likely for settings. However, Grok will largely operate in a modal, similar to voice commands, which are displayed near the bottom left corner of the screen.
There’s an on-screen microphone button, as well as drop-down menus for the voice and type of assistant you’d like to use.
Similar to the Grok app currently on mobile devices, you’ll be able to select from a set of voices and then define their personality. The available voices for now are the standard Ara (Upbeat Female), Rex (Calm Male), and Gork (Lazy Male).
There’s also a settings button, which, when expanded, allows you to enable or disable NSFW mode (including swearing and adult topics), as well as a Kids Mode, which will tone Grok down to be suitable for when kids are in the car.
@greentheonly on X
How Grok Will Work (Button / Wake Word)
Users will be able to activate Grok by pressing a button, likely the same one that activates voice commands today. Grok will then remain enabled for the duration of your conversation, allowing you to go back and forth, asking and answering questions. To end your conversation, you’ll press the mic button again.
While it doesn’t appear to use a wake word yet, Green says that some code refers to a wake word, so it’s possible that this could be an option Tesla plans to activate in the future.
Replacing Voice Commands
The most significant implication of Grok’s future integration is in its potential to fully replace the existing and relatively rigid voice command system. Green notes that internally, this feature is part of the car assist module, and that eventually, the plan is for Grok to take over car control functions.
Unlike the current system, which requires specific phrases, a true conversational AI like Grok can understand natural language. This will enable more intuitive requests, completely changing how drivers interact with their car.
Language Support
@Greentheonly/X
Grok will also launch with multi-language support, similar to its current abilities in the Grok app. Green says that it already appears to have support for English and Chinese and one or two other languages.
Release Date
Grok appears ready to go from a vehicle standpoint, but Green wasn’t able to actually test it out. While development appears to be nearly complete in the vehicle, Tesla and xAI may still be working on some server-side changes to better integrate with the vehicle. If they plan for Grok to replace voice commands on day one, then it’ll need to be trained and be able to execute a variety of vehicle commands.
It’s possible Tesla is actively testing Grok or adding server-side changes to replace voice commands. However, it looks like vehicle development is nearly complete and Grok could launch as soon as the next major Tesla update, which is expected to be update 2025.24.
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