What's Happening?
Tesla has announced the immediate availability of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in Australia and New Zealand, marking the first right-hand drive markets to receive this feature. The system, which requires driver supervision, is available for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles equipped with the latest hardware. Customers can purchase the FSD package for an upfront cost of $10,100 AUD or subscribe for $149 AUD per month in Australia and $159 NZD per month in New Zealand. The FSD system includes advanced driver assistance features such as lane changes, intersection negotiation, and roundabout navigation, but it does not make the vehicles fully autonomous.
Why It's Important?
The launch of Tesla's FSD system in Australia and New Zealand represents a significant step in the global expansion of autonomous vehicle technology. This move could influence the automotive industry by setting a precedent for the adoption of advanced driver assistance systems in other right-hand drive markets. It also highlights Tesla's commitment to expanding its technological offerings and could potentially increase its market share in these regions. The introduction of a subscription model provides flexibility for consumers, potentially increasing accessibility to advanced vehicle technology.
What's Next?
Tesla plans to continue refining its FSD system using data collected from real-world driving experiences. The company is also expected to expand its Supercharger network to support the growing number of Tesla vehicles in Australia and New Zealand. As the technology evolves, regulatory bodies in these countries may need to adapt their policies to accommodate the increasing presence of semi-autonomous vehicles on the roads.
