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Elon Musk's Tesla pulls plug on Autopilot system — here's why
New York Post· 2026-01-23 19:08
Core Viewpoint - Tesla has discontinued its basic driver-assistance system, Autopilot, in Canada and the US, pushing customers towards the more advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, which will now only be available through a monthly subscription model priced at $99 [1][4]. Group 1: Changes in Driver-Assistance Features - Tesla's new vehicle configurations now only include Traffic Aware Cruise Control, which maintains speed and follows traffic at a safe distance, while Autosteer is no longer a standard feature [2][3]. - The California Department of Motor Vehicles has imposed a 60-day deadline for Tesla to revise its marketing practices, including ceasing the use of the "Autopilot" name, which regulators argue misleads consumers regarding the system's capabilities [3]. Group 2: Subscription Model and Market Strategy - The subscription price for FSD is expected to increase over time as the software's capabilities improve, positioning it as a key profit driver for Tesla [4][7]. - Currently, only 12% of Tesla customers have opted to pay for the FSD software, indicating a potential area for growth as the subscription model becomes more accessible [7].
Tesla discontinues Autopilot in bid to boost adoption of its Full Self-Driving software
TechCrunch· 2026-01-23 12:56
Core Viewpoint - Tesla has discontinued its basic driver-assistance system, Autopilot, to promote the adoption of its more advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology [1][2]. Group 1: Discontinuation of Autopilot - The discontinuation of Autopilot is part of Tesla's strategy to enhance the adoption of FSD, which is marketed as a more advanced driver-assistance system [1]. - A judge ruled that Tesla had engaged in deceptive marketing by overstating the capabilities of Autopilot and FSD, leading to a 30-day suspension of its manufacturing and dealer licenses in California [2]. - The California DMV has allowed Tesla 60 days to comply with the ruling by dropping the Autopilot name [2]. Group 2: Features and Customer Impact - Autopilot included features like Traffic Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer, but new cars will now only come with Traffic Aware Cruise Control as standard [3]. - It remains unclear if existing customers will be affected by this change [3]. Group 3: Pricing and Subscription Model - Starting February 14, Tesla will eliminate the one-time $8,000 fee for FSD, transitioning to a monthly subscription model priced at $99, with potential future increases as software capabilities improve [4]. - This shift aims to make FSD more accessible while aligning with Tesla's long-term goals [4]. Group 4: Future Developments and Goals - Elon Musk envisions that Tesla's newer cars will achieve "unsupervised" driving capabilities, allowing drivers to engage in other activities during the ride [5]. - Tesla has begun rolling out robotaxi versions of its Model Y SUVs in Austin, Texas, which operate without human safety monitoring personnel [6]. - As of October 2025, only 12% of Tesla customers had subscribed to FSD, highlighting a gap between expectations and actual adoption [8].