Tesla(US:TSLA) Huan Qiu Wang Zi Xun·2026-02-17 02:47Core Insights - Tesla has made a significant change to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) service by eliminating the one-time purchase option of $8,000 in the U.S. market, now only available through a monthly subscription of $99 [1][3] - CEO Elon Musk had previously indicated that this adjustment would take effect soon, emphasizing that Tesla vehicles will have "appreciating asset" characteristics as software capabilities continue to improve [3] - The pricing strategy for FSD has fluctuated over the years, with initial prices around $5,000, peaking at $15,000, and recently adjusted to $8,000 in 2024 [3] - The subscription model was first introduced in 2021 at $199 per month, later reduced to $99, with potential for future price increases as FSD features enhance [3] - Tesla has ceased offering the basic Autopilot feature for free to new car owners, which previously served as a standard highway driving assistance feature, while FSD requires additional payment for urban navigation capabilities [3] - The shift to a subscription model reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry towards software-as-a-service [3] - Musk's compensation is linked to the number of active FSD subscribers, with a target of 10 million subscribers as part of a performance plan approved last year [3]