Tesla's Shocking Move: Autosteer Disappears from Model 3 and Y, But Why? **
In a surprising development, Tesla has quietly removed Autosteer from its Model 3 and Model Y configurator, leaving many customers scratching their heads. This change, which was first noticed in October 2023, has now become a permanent fixture in the company's vehicle ordering process. But here's where it gets controversial: the final step of ordering a new Tesla still includes Traffic Aware Cruise Control, but Autosteer is nowhere to be found.
This move is part of Tesla's strategy to shift the way customers access its advanced driver-assistance features. Instead of offering a comprehensive tech package, Tesla is now nudging customers towards a $99 per month Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscription. But is this a step forward or a step back?**
When Tesla introduced the 'affordable' Standard trim for the Model 3 and Model Y, it also removed Autosteer from the Autopilot package. This change was significant, as Autosteer is the feature that enables lane centering, a crucial aspect of driver assistance. While the Model S and Model X still bundle FSD into their 'luxe' package, the Cybertruck's cheapest trim only includes Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC).
But here's the catch: when comparing vehicle features on Tesla's website, Autosteer is listed as included with all trims except for the Standard versions of Model 3 and Model Y. However, when customers go through the vehicle configurator, they find that Autosteer is missing from the final order page, regardless of the trim they choose. This inconsistency has left some customers feeling confused and frustrated.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted at the reasoning behind this change. In a reply to a post announcing the update, Musk stated that the cost of FSD will increase as its capabilities improve. This suggests that Tesla is not only changing the packaging structure but also preparing for a future price hike for FSD, which is set to become a subscription-only software package in February 2026.
The backlash has been swift, with some customers calling the move 'backward' and 'lame'. Critics argue that removing lane-centering puts Tesla at a disadvantage compared to other car manufacturers, like Toyota, which offers lane centering in its base-trimmed Corolla LE. This move may be a strategic attempt to boost FSD subscriptions, as suggested by a Tesla employee at the Model Y Standard launch event.
But could there be another motive? Some speculate that this change might be linked to Elon Musk's $1 trillion CEO Performance Award, which includes a target of 10 million active FSD subscriptions and 20 million vehicles delivered. By making a popular feature like Autosteer exclusive to the FSD package, Tesla could be trying to stimulate demand and reach these ambitious targets.
What do you think? Is Tesla's decision to remove Autosteer a fair move towards a subscription-based model, or is it a step backwards for the company? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's discuss the future of Tesla's driver-assistance features.
