I see and feel both sides of this discussion.
Just a reminder of the history of the AP, EAP, and FSD options (from Post #147).
I found this a very helpful graph to put things in perspective. It tells me important things:
As often, my biggest complaint with Tesla is not with what it is trying to do, but instead with how it communicates about it to customers.
- Justifiable frustration with Tesla's current marketing/development strategies for FSD.
- Sympathy/respect for Tesla's technological intentions.
IF Tesla can pull off true FSD (before most other manufacturers) it will be a huge thing, and as a result FSD will probably cost considerably more than the current $12,000. Meanwhile, for better or worse Tesla is using part of its customer base as test subjects for a product that does not yet do what the name implies. Whether this group of test subjects, and those waiting to become test subjects, have been adequately informed is a matter of opinion.
Just a reminder of the history of the AP, EAP, and FSD options (from Post #147).
I found this a very helpful graph to put things in perspective. It tells me important things:
- It was always expensive (at least $8,000) to get all the AP/EAP/FSD features.
- Arguments that FSD was originally only $3,000 appear to be out of context (or even disingenuous).
- Since the AP/EAP/FSD marketing model was "flipped"/simplified in late 2019 (i.e., now just "free" AP and paid-for FSD option), the price of FSD has been occasionally rising (the graph doesn't show the FSD increase to $12,000). This trend will probably continue.
- What this graph says nothing about, of course, is the whole FSD Beta testing issue.
As often, my biggest complaint with Tesla is not with what it is trying to do, but instead with how it communicates about it to customers.