Tencent Cloud announced a partnership with Tesla to integrate WeChat features directly into Tesla vehicles in China. The over-the-air update will reach over 1 million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles built at Giga Shanghai, delivering one-tap location sharing and AI-powered service suggestions.
The collaboration launches with two core features: WeChat Connectivity and Destination Services. Drivers can tap a location in a WeChat conversation and send it directly to their vehicle's navigation system without manual re-entry.
The second feature leverages Tencent's AI to offer context-aware suggestions based on the driver's destination, such as nearby restaurants or parking.
Tencent first took a 5% stake in Tesla in 2017, investing $1.78 billion as the electric vehicle maker prepared to enter the Chinese market. The partnership represents a significant concession by Tesla to China's dominant digital ecosystem, contrasting with the walled-garden approach it deploys in Western markets.
The features will be delivered through over-the-air software updates to Model 3 and Model Y vehicles currently operating in China. Tencent Cloud confirmed the technology will become standard equipment on all new Tesla models sold in the country moving forward.
Tesla faces mounting pressure from domestic Chinese EV manufacturers. BYD now equips its entire lineup with advanced driver-assistance systems, while XPeng is rolling out autonomous driving software approaching Level 4 capabilities.
Tesla confirmed its first year of domestic sales decline in China during 2025, with wholesale deliveries from Giga Shanghai falling 7% year-over-year.
Tencent launched WeChat for vehicles back in 2019, and the service was already available across 15 automakers' models by 2022, including Li Auto, Audi, and BMW. Tesla is only now catching up to a baseline that domestic competitors established years ago.
The integration allows Tesla to tap into WeChat's massive user base of over 1 billion active users across China. Chinese consumers who already use WeChat daily will find the integration familiar and useful, addressing local market expectations for digital experiences that mirror mobile lives.
Tencent Cloud said it is already exploring additional features, including streamlined voice-to-text routing from WeChat chats. The company did not announce specific dates for the software update rollout, but deployment begins this week for Made-in-China Tesla vehicles.
