Tesla forced to recall more than a quarter of a million electric vehicles in China over safety concerns.

Tesla is recalling more than a quarter of a million Model 3 and Model Y sedans built in China over safety concerns around the ‘cruise control’ feature.

The huge recall amounts to the majority of Tesla vehicles cars produced and sold in the country. Most of the affected Model 3 and Model Y vehicles were from Tesla’s Shanghai plant.

Cruise control safety concerns

China’s market regulator says the vehicles’ cruise control systems could be accidentally activated, causing them to speed up unexpectedly.

However, the recall doesn’t necessarily mean any of the affected vehicles will actually need to physically go to a service centre for repairs.

Rather, owners can upgrade their vehicles’ cruise control systems software remotely, similar to a phone update.

Tesla’s market in China

Tesla posted an apology to its page on Weibo, a popular social media platform in China.

CEO Elon Musk also posted Weibo on Saturday, “Safety is our primary goal in designing Tesla.”

China is the largest new car market in the world and the largest market for all-electric vehicles. Ives has called the country the “linchpin” of Tesla’s growth story. He calculates that China will account for 40% of Tesla deliveries by next year.