Tesla Is Gearing Up For Autonomy Tests In China – Jalopnik

Happy Wednesday! It’s May 20, 2026, and that is The Morning Shift — your every day roundup of the highest automotive headlines from world wide, in a single place. This is the place you may discover crucial tales which are shaping the best way Americans drive and get round.

In this morning’s version, we’re taking a look at Tesla’s newest spherical of self-driving hiring, in addition to the buyer results of tariffs. We’ll additionally have a look at Stellantis’ plans to construct Chinese EVs in France, and Hyundai’s newest recall. 

Tesla remains to be banking on autonomous software program saving the corporate, regardless of not having the most effective driver-assist suite in the marketplace. The firm is trying to broaden its questionable software program to China, and it is hiring the whole lot from engineers to check drivers within the nation to make that objective occur. From Bloomberg:

Tesla Inc. has launched a recruitment drive for driver-assistance roles in China after repeated delays to the launch of know-how seen as key to competing with an area rivals similar to Xiaomi Corp. and Huawei Technologies Co.

The automaker posted job openings earlier this month for positions together with autopilot check engineers, information labelers and actual check operators, marked “urgent,” based on firm recruitment notices on its web site. The hiring spree spans 9 main Chinese cities, together with key auto and tech hubs Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou.

Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has lengthy seen the launch of Tesla’s so-called Full Self-Driving — which regardless of its title nonetheless requires fixed human supervision and intervention — as essential for the corporate’s subsequent stage of progress in China, the place it has steadily been shedding market share to native carmakers. Musk had beforehand anticipated to formally launch the superior driver-assistance know-how as early as February, however final month executives stated regulatory approval is now anticipated by the third quarter of the 12 months.

The subsequent step within the American Century of Humiliation will probably be Chinese residents hopping on Xiaohongshu to go “Oh my god, Americans allow this on their roads?” 

Remember these tariffs which are possibly nonetheless round but in addition possibly not, and are possibly being refunded to carmakers but in addition nonetheless being charged? Well, automotive firms are lastly trying to go these prices onto shoppers, however don’t be concerned — the whole lot is already so unaffordable, shoppers seemingly will not even discover the distinction. From Automotive News: 

Automakers usually tend to go tariff prices downstream this 12 months than in 2025, however the impression on dealerships and shoppers must be minimal, consultants say.

Affordability issues within the U.S. have masked the impression of tariffs on new automobiles as sticker costs now high $50,000. Dealers nonetheless have the benefit of brand name loyalty, they usually can lean on salesmanship and construct up their used-vehicle stock as tariff cushions, dealership leaders and gross sales trainers informed Automotive News.

“Everything feels so unaffordable,” stated Jennifer Myers, CMO at Kunes Auto & RV Group. “I don’t even know if people are noticing that this one’s a little more unaffordable than this one.”

Turns out, as soon as your product is just too costly for shoppers, you possibly can jack up the value as a lot as you need they usually will not discover! What’re they gonna do, purchase it even much less? 

Stellantis has lengthy been wanting to make use of up extra manufacturing capability in Europe, and Chinese automakers have been trying to dodge the bloc’s tariffs. Sounds like a match made in heaven, and Stellantis and Dongfeng appear to agree — the 2 have teamed as much as construct EVs in France. From Automotive News: 

Stellantis will kind a three way partnership with China’s Dongfeng to construct and promote the state-owned Chinese automaker’s automobiles in Europe.

The Stellantis-led 51/49 three way partnership will probably be liable for the manufacturing, engineering, buying, and gross sales and distribution of Dongfeng automobiles in Europe, Stellantis stated in an announcement May 20.

The firms additionally stated they intend to localize, in step with Made-in-Europe necessities, manufacturing of Dongfeng new vitality automobile fashions in a Stellantis plant in Rennes, France. New vitality automobiles, a Chinese class, can imply battery-electric automobiles, plug-in hybrids or prolonged vary EVs.

Building Dongfeng automobiles in a French manufacturing unit would allow the corporate to keep away from European Union tariffs on China-made BEVs and EREVs.

Dongfeng can even construct Jeeps in China, which must be fascinating. Catch me grey market importing a Chinese jeep for the construct high quality in a pair years. 

Another day, one other recall. This time it is Hyundai, taking again 54,000 Elantra Hybrids for hearth dangers round an overheating piece of the hybrid infrastructure. From Reuters: 

Hyundai Motor (005380.KS), opens new tab is recalling 54, 337 automobiles ​within the U.S. over ‌a fireplace threat linked to the overheating of hybrid energy ​management unit, the ​U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety ⁠Administration (NHTSA) stated on Wednesday.

Here ​are additional particulars:

* The recall ​covers sure 2024-2026 Elantra Hybrid automobiles.
* Overheating within the hybrid energy management ​unit beneath excessive ​electrical hundreds may cause affected automobiles ‌to ⁠fail to begin or enter decreased‑energy mode, the auto regulator stated.

Despite this sounding like a {hardware} flaw, the repair is outwardly software-based. I’m undecided how a lot I’d wish to drive round in a automotive I knew may catch hearth at any time however for a number of traces of code. 

I do know in Andy’s home he is a hero, however not in mine. 

Ain’t about how briskly I get there
Ain’t about what’s ready on the opposite facet
It’s the climb

I awoke with Virtual Insanity caught in my head, and I’ve completely no thought why. I have never listened to this tune in endlessly. I have never seen it referenced not too long ago. But for some purpose, I awoke and it was caught in there. Let’s get it in your head too.