Tesla Introduces Lane Centering Feature Paywall for New Model 3 and Y
Tesla has recently made a significant change regarding its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The electric vehicle manufacturer announced that it will now require a subscription for its lane-centering feature, known as Autosteer. This feature was previously included as a standard offering in the vehicles.
Tesla’s Lane Centering Feature Becomes Subscription-Based
As of Thursday, lane centering is now part of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised package, which costs $99 per month. This decision affects new buyers in the United States and Canada.
Details of the Change
- Autosteer was previously part of the Basic Autopilot feature.
- The Basic Autopilot package included both Autosteer and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC).
- TACC will remain a standard feature, but Autosteer will now require the $99 monthly subscription.
- This change applies exclusively to new purchases, not to existing Model 3 and Model Y owners.
Impact of the New Subscription Model
This shift is part of Tesla’s broader strategy as it transitions to a subscription-only model for the FSD feature. Effective February 14, customers will no longer have the option to purchase FSD with a one-time payment of $8,000. Instead, they can expect an annual cost of $1,188 if they want access to Autosteer or the complete FSD package.
Future Pricing Concerns
CEO Elon Musk has indicated that the $99 per month subscription fee is not permanent. He mentioned on social media that as the capabilities of FSD improve, so will the subscription cost.
Details regarding the potential price increases have not been disclosed. This subscription model marks a notable shift for Tesla, affecting consumer perceptions and the overall value of its popular Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
