Tesla has integrated Chinese large language models from ByteDance and DeepSeek into its in-car voice assistant for customers in China, according to company documents.
For voice command functions such as navigation, media playback and temperature control, Tesla relies on ByteDance’s Doubao model, while interactive AI conversations are handled by the startup DeepSeek.
The integration is confined to China, where strict data localization rules prevent Tesla from using xAI’s product Grok and routing voice and AI data to its own systems abroad.
DeepSeek had been adopted by Chinese rival BYD in February for its most advanced driver-assistance system.
By contrast, Tesla has recently begun offering Grok — the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI — to its drivers in the United States.
“You can now talk to Grok, your AI companion built by xAI, hands-free in your Tesla vehicle. You can choose Grok’s voice and personality, ranging from Storyteller to Unhinged, to enhance convenience while you’re on the go,” Tesla states on its website.
Currently, Grok is available for the Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y and Cybertruck, provided vehicles have an AMD processor, run software version 2025.26 or later, and are connected via Premium Connectivity or Wi-Fi.
Tesla said Grok “may become available for additional Tesla vehicles with over-the-air software updates in the future.”
The launches highlight Musk’s dual AI strategy: relying on Chinese providers to comply with local regulations while pushing his own xAI products abroad.
Earlier this month, xAI rolled out Grok Imagine, an image and video generator, to all SuperGrok and Premium+ subscribers on X’s iOS app.
Musk has also accused Apple of favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT over Grok in App Store rankings, calling it an “unequivocal antitrust violation” and threatening legal action.
