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Elon Musk's Tesla Risks NHTSA Scrutiny With FSD V14.1.2's 'Mad Max' Update That Ignores Speed Limits - Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)
TeslaTesla(US:TSLA) Benzingaยท2025-10-17 06:57

Core Viewpoint - Tesla's latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) V14.1.2 update, featuring the 'Mad Max' mode, may attract scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to safety concerns related to higher speeds and lane changes [1][2][3]. Group 1: FSD Update and Features - The 'Mad Max' mode introduced in the FSD system allows for higher speeds and more frequent lane changes compared to the previous 'HURRY' mode [2]. - A video shared by Tesla shows a vehicle using the 'Mad Max' mode reaching speeds over 80 mph while navigating through traffic [3]. Group 2: Regulatory and Legal Challenges - The NHTSA is currently investigating Tesla's FSD system, which affects approximately 2.88 million vehicles, following reports of over 50 traffic safety violations and multiple accidents [3]. - Tesla faces lawsuits regarding the FSD system, including a class action lawsuit from California owners claiming the company misled them about FSD's capabilities [4]. - A court ordered Tesla to pay over $240 million in damages related to a 2019 crash involving a Tesla on autopilot that resulted in a fatality [4]. Group 3: Market Perception and Expert Opinions - Gene Munster from Deepwater Asset Management believes the NHTSA investigation could be beneficial for Tesla, as it reflects the company's commitment to developing autonomous driving technology [5]. - Investor Gary Black predicts that CEO Elon Musk will not provide updates on the timeline for removing onboard safety monitors from Tesla's Robotaxi, which has begun operations in Texas [6]. Group 4: Company Metrics - Tesla performs well in Momentum, Quality, and Growth metrics but is rated poorly in Value [7]. - The company shows a favorable price trend in the short, medium, and long term [7].