The development marked a breakthrough for Tesla’s chief executive, Elon Musk, in a country where his company has faced increasingly tough competition.

The carmaker’s most advanced driver-assistance software is available in the U.S. but hasn’t received final approval from the authorities in the world’s largest electric-vehicle market.

Tesla on Tuesday made a long-awaited update to its autopilot software in China to add a city navigation feature, but the move disappointed Chinese owners who said it fell short of Elon Musk's promises.