테스트 — Tesla Faces Audit Over FSD and AS
Tesla is booming in South Korea with a 40% import car market share, but it's heading to the 2026 parliamentary audit over weak after-sales service and limited Full Self-Driving (FSD) features. Meanwhile, the Korea Road Traffic Authority revealed that Tesla never officially requested an official FSD test, adding fuel to the autonomous driving controversy.
Key Findings
- Parliamentary Audit Summon: Tesla and BYD are being called to the 2026 parliamentary audit due to inadequate after-sales service (AS) and consumer protection concerns (such as personal data transfer and FSD verification) despite surging sales.
- FSD Verification Dispute: During the 2026 parliamentary audit, the Korea Road Traffic Authority clarified that "Tesla Korea has never officially requested an FSD test from the authority."
- Market Share Dominance: While domestic carmakers saw their home sales drop by about 20%, Tesla's new registrations jumped over 36%, capturing roughly 40% of the imported car market.
Details
Consumer Protection Issues and Audit Controversy
While sales of electric vehicles from Tesla and BYD are surging in South Korea, criticism is growing over their neglect of "after-sale responsibilities." Tesla is specifically taking heat over the verification timeline and rollout of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature, whose availability remains ambiguous across different models, while BYD is facing scrutiny over transferring personal data to China. To address these consumer anxieties and poor after-sales management, representatives from both companies have been called as witnesses for the 2026 parliamentary audit.
FSD Test Request Dispute
The Korea Road Traffic Authority has shared its stance on the recent controversy surrounding the domestic verification process for Tesla's FSD, which was raised by certain media outlets. At a parliamentary audit held on October 8, 2026, an authority official responded to a query from Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Jong-tae by stating, "Tesla Korea has never officially requested a test from the authority." This statement once again highlights transparency questions regarding the domestic testing process of Tesla's autonomous driving technology.
Market Share Expansion and the Crisis for Domestic Cars
Tesla is showing overwhelming growth in the South Korean import car market. According to 2026 data, in sharp contrast to domestic automakers whose local sales dropped by nearly 20%, Tesla's newly registered vehicles surged more than 36% year-over-year. As a result, Tesla now commands roughly 40% of the domestic import car market, leaving domestic brands like Hyundai and Kia struggling to defend their turf.
Other Trends
- Cybercab European Debut: Tesla's fully autonomous robotaxi, the Cybercab, is set to make its European debut at the Paris Motor Show opening on October 12.
- Investor Perspective: Tesla's stock has shown relative weakness recently, dropping 11.4% over the past 12 months compared to a 17.8% gain for the S&P 500. Planned capital expenditures exceeding $25 billion for 2026 and upcoming financial reports are expected to be critical turning points for investors.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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