Tesla Unveils Full Self-Driving Gifting Program Ahead of Holidays

Tesla is set to launch a new gifting program for its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software suite, allowing owners to gift subscriptions of varying durations. This initiative aims to provide potential customers with a trial experience, potentially encouraging them to subscribe or purchase the feature outright.

Key Takeaways

• Tesla will soon offer a gifting program for its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) suite.

• The program allows for gifting subscriptions of various timeframes.

• It is expected to launch before the holiday season.

A New Way to Experience Full Self-Driving

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, a semi-autonomous driving system, is known for reducing driving stress, though it still requires driver supervision. The upcoming gifting program is designed to make FSD more accessible for trial. Tesla executive Raj Jegannathan announced that the program would be ready before the holidays, positioning it as an ideal gift for Tesla owners.

Subscription vs. Outright Purchase

Currently, Tesla offers a monthly subscription for FSD in the United States at $99 per month. This offers a more affordable short-term option compared to the $8,000 one-time purchase fee. While CEO Elon Musk has previously advised owners that purchasing FSD outright is a better long-term economic decision, the subscription model provides flexibility. Musk had indicated in the past that subscription prices might increase upon the software's wide release, though the price has actually decreased from $199 to $99 per month.

Potential Impact and Future

The gifting program could serve as a significant marketing tool, allowing more drivers to experience the benefits of FSD firsthand. This could lead to increased adoption rates and potentially influence future purchasing decisions. The timing before the holiday season suggests Tesla is aiming to capitalize on gift-giving trends.