(Yicai) April 29 -- Tesla has become the first foreign car manufacturer to have met China’s requirements on auto data security.

Tesla’s China-made Model 3 and Model Y cleared the data security review conducted by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the industry group said in a statement yesterday.

The announcement coincided with a surprise visit to China the same day by Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk to meet with Premier Li Qiang.

Seventy-six vehicle models from Tesla, BYD, Li Auto, Lotus Cars, Hozon New Energy Automobile, and Nio passed the test for the anonymization of external facial information, default non-collection of cockpit data, in-vehicle processing of cockpit data, and prominent notification for handling personal information.

The test, which was voluntary, aims to encourage carmakers to help promote an environment in which society works together to safeguard auto data and promote the development of the car industry, the CAAM noted.

Passing the test may allow China-made Tesla vehicles to access and park in some restricted areas, such as government campuses, airports, and highways, according to experts. It may also signal the introduction of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology in China.

Tesla completed the construction of its data center in Shanghai in 2021, achieving localized data storage. The US automaker also introduced third-party authoritative organizations to audit its information security management system and secured certification for its security management system.

In 2018, Tesla became the first foreign company approved to directly manufacture cars in China. The Shanghai factory has an annual production capacity of 950,000 units of the Model 3 and Model Y, which are sold domestically and exported.

Editor: Futura Costaglione