Tesla addresses scrutiny by stepping up behind-the-scenes engagement with Chinese regulators

Tesla is boosting its engagement with Chinese regulators and beefing up its government relations team to deal with scrutiny over safety and customer service complaints.

In April, Tesla posted in its WeChat account that it is hiring managers to maintain relationships with government and industry associations and update a policy database.

The supposed aim of the hiring is to build a harmonious external environment that would support Tesla's business development in the region.

It was not clear how many managers Tesla plans to hire to deal with government relations.

The California-based electric vehicle maker's change of strategy leading to more behind-the-scenes interaction with China's policymakers reveals the seriousness of how it views its setbacks in the market.

Chinese regulators summoned Tesla in February over consumer reports of unexpected acceleration, battery fires, and failures in over-the-air software updates.

And in March, the military banned its cars from entering its complexes due to security concerns over vehicle cameras, sources.

In the past weeks, Tesla executives attended at least four policy discussions, on topics including auto data storage, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication technologies, car recycling, and carbon emissions.

Tesla, which makes electric Model 3 sedans and Model Y SUV at its Shanghai plant, did not make major commitments at the meetings but participated in some discussions.

China, Tesla's second-biggest market after the US, accounted for roughly 30 percent of its global sales and helped the carmaker post record first-quarter vehicle deliveries.