Tesla pulls the plug on one-time purchases of FSD

Core Viewpoint - Tesla has transitioned its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature to a subscription model, eliminating the one-time purchase option in the US for $8,000, now available only at $99 per month [1][4]. Group 1: Subscription Model Changes - The one-time payment option for FSD has been removed, and the feature is now exclusively available through a monthly subscription [1]. - Tesla previously offered Autopilot as a free feature for new purchases, which has also been discontinued [3]. - The subscription price for FSD was initially set at $199 per month in 2021 but has since been reduced to $99 per month [4]. Group 2: Historical Pricing and Future Plans - FSD pricing has fluctuated significantly since its introduction in 2016, starting at $5,000, peaking at $15,000, and being reduced to $8,000 in 2024 [4]. - Elon Musk indicated that subscription prices for FSD will increase as the software's capabilities improve [4]. - The shift to a subscription model aligns with broader industry trends and is part of an executive performance plan that ties Musk's compensation to achieving 10 million active FSD subscriptions [4].