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pbasistatoday at 9:02 PM1 replyview on HN

I am not surprised. Considering only the main segment, i.e. Model 3 and Model Y, there has not been any major innovation by Tesla for years.

No significantly better battery technology. No significantly more powerful or efficient motors. No significantly improved comfort.

They have been making minor improvements in many areas, yes. For instance, they added ventilated seats, adaptive suspension, front camera, etc. But those are not new technologies that would make them stand out. The competition already had such features before.

Meanwhile, the Chinese cars have head-up displays, massage seats, vehicle to load, internal power outlets, fridges, dimmable glass roofs and what not.

One might argue that Tesla is improving their driving assist technologies and that is, in Tesla's view, supposed to be the deciding factor which would make them stand out. But I am not sure about that.

Their better driving assist (the so-called "FSD") has not been available in Europe for years. But that is almost besides the point.

The most important question is, in my opinion, the following: Who cares about those systems enough that they would be willing to pay $100 a month or $8k, $10k, $15k or even more one time for this kind of technology?

From what I have heard, the majority of drivers does not care. Not for this kind of money. No matter how good such a system might be.

Assuming that there will be a significant number of people who would be willing to pay thousands of dollars extra for a driving assist feature is, in my opinion, detached from reality.


Replies

efavdbtoday at 9:06 PM

FWIW I have heard the exact opposite. The people I know love the self driving feature.