Xpeng and Tesla confront European autonomous‑driving hurdles

Chinese EV maker Xpeng plans to introduce its Level 2++ “Next Generation Pilot” system on the L03 SUV in Europe from 2027. Priced around €36,000, the camera‑only system aims to cut driver interventions by about 26 % after a 2026 rollout in China, but it will only operate once European regulators grant approval, and liability for any errors remains with the driver.

In Austria, Tesla faces consumer lawsuits after it marketed its older Model 3 and Model Y vehicles as capable of autonomous driving despite the “Hardware 3” suite allegedly not supporting the promised features. Around 30,000 cars sold with the hardware are claimed to be non‑compliant, prompting a legal initiative that could lead to warranty claims and damages. CEO Elon Musk has suggested future retrofits through planned micro‑factories, but details remain unclear.