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Picking my X up next Saturday. I did not get Enhanced Auto Pilot. I intend to add it after I've driven the car for awhile since it is just a software upgrade.
You haven't shown that Tesla would maximize it's profits by lowering the price of EAP. You've just speculated that more people would buy it. Do you have any data on how many people buy it now? How many people opt not to buy it because of price? What price they would theoretically buy it at?
C141medic
Active Member
NeverFollow
Active Member
Save money, just get this new "EAP Halloween costume" and pretend your car is already full EAP Level 5!
“Seat Suits” Help Ford Study Autonomous Vehicle, Human Communication - Motor Trend
“Seat Suits” Help Ford Study Autonomous Vehicle, Human Communication - Motor Trend
I agree. The driver shouldn't be using Autopilot on local roads as Tesla has stated.
C141medic
Active Member
Perhaps you missed this:
Tesla enables Autosteer on ‘local roads’ for new Enhanced Autopilot vehicles
Yeah, as far as I remembered Tesla said it was only for divided highways. But now I remember that not long ago they released a "silky smooth" version or something like that. Do you know if this person did the same test after the update?
Here's a radical thought....we're buying relatively high performance cars...let's just drive them ourselves rather than become passive lumps of bored and distracted protoplasm behind the wheel....let's not emulate the learned helplesness aboard Air France 447.
C141medic
Active Member
Not sure. But here's the "silky smooth" update video:
Watch Tesla’s latest Autopilot 2.0 software handling on roads off highway
Seems to be a lot more solid than the previous ones. Don't get me wrong, I really love the idea of EAP and am definitely getting it on the M3. It looks like the newest upgrades have made some significant improvements.
C141medic
Active Member
I hear what you're saying. I enjoy the experience of driving a vehicle as well and also love tecnology. However; in my opinion, the technology is heading in the right direction in terms of safety and reduced motor vehicle accidents.
MotoEvCA
Member
I will not be getting Enhanced Auto Pilot or Full Self-Driving Capability because I believe the actual CURRENT and FUTURE capabilities of the technologies are being oversold and somewhat misleading / vague.
I see nothing on the Tesla website or in the purchase contract representing a legally binding agreement with Tesla to deliver specific functionality for these technologies or a refund of my money. There are regulatory disclaimers / caveats for the technologies but it DOES NOT address any refund of monies paid if Tesla cannot deliver the technologies within a reasonable period.
These 'forward-looking technology' aspirations would be okay from a solely Marketing perspective BUT Tesla is selling something IT DOES NOT HAVE TODAY and may never be able to deliver.
A 2018 Mazda CX-5 appears to outperform current Tesla vehicles when it comes to basic Automatic Emergency Braking
"The higher the percentage of the consumer's income that the product's price represents, the higher the elasticity tends to be, as people will pay more attention when purchasing the good because of its cost;[25][26] The income effect is substantial.[30] When the goods represent only a negligible portion of the budget the income effect will be insignificant and demand inelastic,[30]"
[Wikipedia--price elasticity of demand] In other words, the price elasticity of demand is higher on an $8000 add on for a mass-market (middle-class) product than it would be on an $8000 add on for a luxury (upper-class) product.
Presumably Tesla set the price of FSD at $8000 on the MS in order to maximize profits. Given a greater price elasticity of demand for the M3, the profit maximizing price for FSD would have to be lower.
Consider what lowering the price of FSD for the Model 3 might do to Model S and X sales. If there is any segment of buyers looking to get into an FSD or FSD-potential car having a lower price point for the same FSD feature set could further cannibalize Model S/X sales, which Tesla is trying desperately to avoid.
I still stand by the idea that with the cars differentiation between FSD and not being software (since all come with the hardware), Tesla will be unlikely to change the price of it inter-vehicle. We'll likely see a price drop for FSD across the line when it happens. That way people can make their S/X/3 choice based on the car they want to drive, and not based on the price point of the autonomous driving features, since presumably all will have the same capabilities, safety, etc.
That'd be hilarious. I'm sure I'd love the process that would follow of lawsuits, buybacks, and needing to buy a different car…
I'm an adult, it's my decision to buy the car because of the feature, and to use the feature. If people don't like it, they shouldn't buy it.
You hit the nail on the head there. But, unfortunately, it means that Tesla has abandoned its mission statement: "to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass market electric cars to market as soon as possible."
Now, it appears that Tesla's mission statement is to increase its stock price by having the highest profit margin of any automobile manufacturer. 8^(
Mission statements tend to go to the wayside often when having to deal with real world items without getting into weeds.
Demand elasticity makes me think of the chewing gum I drove over this afternoon. Just having an all or nothing Tesla is well, so Acura. Yes you get all the options, but a vanilla car. I am not sure we are ready for that yet.
Look they should be altruistic and bring cars to the free world for free with a big giant sustainable bow wrapped around it. Come on really that cannot be a valid thinking process to operate in the world of business competitors. It's a mastery of marketing. Whether the features ever come to 100% or not it sells cars or gets people to make reservations.
If they don't succeed.......Don't see that mission statement happening to soon there do ya? Which would lead others as little as their foot is on the same pedal to electric cars to pause or coast (maybe they have not heard of regen yet). Or kill the electric car again. Not worth the risk.
