Tesla Approaches Complete Autonomous Driving, New Brake Upgrades and ‘Yoke’ Price Jump for Model S & X, FSD Discount Granted to Cybertruck Reservation Holders, and Project Highland May Soon be Available in North America
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Tesla Approaches Complete Autonomous Driving
Tesla has finally unveiled its "autosteer on city streets" feature for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, shortly after reducing the U.S. price from $15,000 to $12,000 last week. Visit Tesla’s configurator for one of its EVs and the Full Self-Driving Capability package now reads: “Your car will be able to drive itself almost anywhere with minimal driver intervention and will continuously improve.”. Notably, the "Autosteer on City Streets" had been marked as "Coming soon" for over four years before its recent update. The long-anticipated feature enhances the current FSD functionalities that previously included autopilot and traffic light/stop sign recognition. As of now, the new city autosteer feature is exclusive to the US and Canada. Elsewhere, such as Europe, it remains listed as "Coming soon." Tesla's inclusion of the "Autosteer on City Streets" feature in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite signifies a significant step towards achieving complete autonomous driving. As the company's online platform highlights FSD's capability for almost autonomous operation with minimal driver input, it becomes evident that Tesla is nearing the realization of comprehensive full self-driving capabilities.
New Brake Upgrades and ‘Yoke’ Price Jump for Model S & X
Tesla is making waves with its recent announcements to Model S and Model X owners. Via email, the automaker recently introduced new upgraded brake pads and calipers, touting enhanced thermal capacity available at $750. Plaid edition owners can switch their black calipers to a vibrant red for $2,700. These enhancements, promising improved pedal feel and braking consistency, come standard in Plaid vehicles made post-January 12. In tandem with these changes, Tesla has also stirred discussions with a significant price jump for its unique 'Yoke' steering wheel. Originally priced at $250, the unconventional steering option has skyrocketed by 300% to $1,000 in the US, with similar price hikes reported in other global markets like Canada and China. The reasons for this surge could range from production costs to its rising demand or perceived exclusivity.
FSD Discount Granted to Cybertruck Reservation Holders
Early reservation holders of the Tesla Cybertruck, unveiled in November 2019, stand to benefit from a significant price advantage on the Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature. At the time of the truck's debut, FSD was priced as a $7,000 add-on, but its price has since jumped to $12,000, reflecting advancements in its capabilities. However, those who reserved their Cybertruck in 2019 will have the FSD price locked in at the original $7,000, as long as they included it as an option when they ordered their vehicle. This reflects a huge discount compared to those who did not preorder the truck, rewarding the early supporters who have waited roughly four years.
Project Highland May Soon be Available in North America
Tesla is reducing prices on its current inventory of Model 3’s in the U.S., likely in anticipation of releasing a refreshed version (Project Highland). Despite the updated Model 3 already being available in various international markets, Tesla appears to be making room for its debut in North America. Presently, the current generation rear-wheel-drive Model 3 can be bought for as low as $36,220 in Florida, with comparable prices seen in other states. All these units are eligible for the $7,500 federal tax incentive, and additional state or county credits can potentially reduce the price by up to another $15,000. The updated Model 3 is already available for order in regions like Australia, China, Japan, and much of Europe. While not yet launched in the U.S. and Canada, it's expected to be available by early 2024. Prices for this new version vary: in Germany, it starts at approximately $46,109, while in China, it's around $35,749. This refreshed Model 3 is being manufactured at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory and will be exported to various global markets. As per Tesla's site, the earliest delivery in Germany is anticipated between October and November, with other regions expecting deliveries in December and later.