• Tesla Model Y L will integrate DeepSeek and ByteDance's Doubao AI models to provide a smarter AI voice interaction experience.
• Tesla has introduced voice-activated in-car virtual assistants for the first time on the Model Y L.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has introduced a voice-activated in-car virtual assistant for the first time in the Model Y L. Now, the US electric vehicle (EV) maker aims to enhance this feature using local AI models to compete with domestic rivals.

The Model Y L will integrate AI models from DeepSeek and ByteDance's Doubao, both hosted on ByteDance's Volcano Engine cloud service, according to a terms and service document on Tesla's website.

Doubao will handle voice command functions such as navigation settings, media playback control, and air conditioning temperature adjustment, as well as provide access to the owner's manual; DeepSeek will offer AI-powered voice chat services.

Tesla has recently partnered with Volcano Engine to provide AI model support for its in-cabin interaction experience, according to a report by Chinese media outlet Yicai today.

In the US, Tesla vehicles use the Grok model developed by CEO Elon Musk's AI company xAI.

Tesla launched the Model Y L in China on August 19, with the six-seat SUV becoming a new addition to the Model Y lineup alongside the previous five-seat versions.

The Model Y L supports activating the in-car voice assistant via "Hey, Tesla" or a custom wake word. On other Tesla models in China, users can only activate voice commands by pressing a scroll wheel on the steering wheel.

Tesla's in-cabin intelligence capabilities in China are seen as lacking, especially considering that domestic EV makers have long incorporated intelligent virtual voice assistants into their models and further enhanced them with AI capabilities over the past year.

Prior to this year, DeepSeek was relatively unknown. The launch of its R1 model at the beginning of the year shocked Silicon Valley, and its outstanding AI capabilities have made it popular among many automakers.

Zeekr (NYSE: ZK), Dongfeng Nissan, Dongfeng Voyah, Dongfeng M-Hero, and many others announced the integration of DeepSeek's AI models at the beginning of the year.

Yesterday, DeepSeek released its latest DeepSeek-V3.1 model, describing it as the first step toward the Agent era.

The new model introduces a hybrid inference architecture, higher thinking efficiency, and stronger Agent capabilities, according to DeepSeek.