That’s the crazy thing, right? There was no need for public ”Level 5 capable hardware” nonsense in 2016. Even if one thinks some of it was necessary on April 22nd, 2019 to keep the pain from getting too much (or even if one believes it was accurate), there was no need for it in 2016 (and it was not accurate back then). Tesla’s future was not dependent on autonomous driving back then at all, Autopilot was a minor blip on a radar filled mostly with Model 3 sized chaff.
Let’s hope 2019 is different on the Level 5 front because for whatever reason the promise was just repeated again.
Frankly I think the whole of Autopilot 2 story (2016 to present) may have hurt Tesla far more than it has helped.
I remember having arguments with people on here about FSD back in late 2016.
Where they felt like Tesla had to do it in order to create the appeal, but I countered with the fact that it would do them more harm than good. A lie of that magnitude isn't easily forgiven.
Even I underestimated the amount of harm. I figured at some point Elon would eventually says "Oops, Sorry about that". But, instead it seems like they're betting on the "regulations" to keep them from L5.
The main reason I'm long on TSLA is not because of Elon Musk, but despite him. I think he'll eventually realize how lucrative the Truck/Utilities/Cargo-Van market is and they'll go after it.
The tweet exchange about the "Leaf blower" is funny. It's funny because it completely ignores the REAL reason for things like an electric leaf blower. Now Tesla doesn't need to actually make it, but they absolutely need to embrace the idea that a Tesla Truck or Utility vehicle as a large portable battery. So they can quickly recharge all the kinds of electronic tools that people are quickly switching over too. All that stuff is really loud, and not at all green.
The truck and a cargo van can share a similar platform. Although I'm a little concerned that Elon is going to overly complicate the truck with his imagination just like he did the Model X.
If they do it right there isn't anyone that can compete with the price of a 200KWh in a truck. Where they leverage the scale of the Model 3.
Tesla has three main advantages over everyone else, and one huge liability.
Advantages
Charging network not just in SuperChargers, but destination chargers. No one else is even close.
Gigafactory - No one else has access to the amount of batteries at the cost Tesla has achieved
The entire ADAS system that can be implemented across every vehicle they make. One that is constantly getting better. Sure it's not going be L5, but I'm pretty confident it will be a pretty darn sweet assistant. A huge number of drivers have anxiety with at least a few driving situations, and it can help out immensely.
Liability - Elon Musk. I'm not say he needs to go, but they need to do a better job of having other people in charge of certain aspects of Tesla and he needs to delegate. Right now there is just too much instability. People can't even make good solid buying decisions before Elon Musk pulls the rug out from under them. Like he claimed FSD would go up after May 1st by thousands, and then a couple weeks later he talked about it only being a $1K increase. Then he said it would be delayed until May 10th for those unable to order by May 1st. It's now May 2nd, and it's still $5K for everyone in the US. This is exactly why I can't stand listening to him. He's all over the place. One minute it's fire all the sakes people, and then it OOPS maybe not. Then it's the SALE, and then it's oh, wait no that wasn't a good idea. Dude needs to get some impulse control.