Hello everyone,
Today’s update covers three main topics:
- Tesla’s production and sales updates
- The debut of FSD V12.5.4.1
- Starlink’s support for hurricane recovery efforts
If you're interested in these areas, stay tuned for today's important content!
Ok, let's go!
Part 1: Tesla Production and Sales Updates
Tesla Korea Launches Zero-Interest Financing on Model Y
Tesla Korea has just announced a significant sales promotion. They are offering zero-interest financing options for both the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range variants, with payment terms of up to 60 months. This answers the mystery of the "zero secret" mentioned in yesterday's video.
This promotion will be officially implemented in Q4 2024, running from October 1st to December 31st. It is expected to further boost Model Y sales in Korea, helping Tesla reach its year-end sales targets.
Tesla has already extended a similar promotion in China, and it is estimated that they will likely expand similar promotional strategies to other global markets in the future. This move aims to drive sales of the core Model Y model and achieve better annual sales figures globally.
Cybertruck Gets a New Horn
Tesla has recently started equipping the Cybertruck with a brand-new horn sound. This new sound appears to be a better fit for the Cybertruck's unique design. Currently, the new horn is only available on newly produced and delivered Cybertrucks. It will be offered to all Cybertruck owners through software updates in the future.
Like many of Tesla's vehicle changes, this horn sound change has not been officially announced. Instead, new owners are discovering it on their own. Scott Buscemi, the first owner to notice the change, has already shared a video of the horn sound on X, formerly known as Twitter. You can listen to the difference in the horn sound in his video. It seems like it could be even better at grabbing people's attention on the road.
Potential FSD Revenue Boost in Q4
Some analysts suggest that the rollout of FSD to the Cybertruck could lead to an unexpected financial report growth for Tesla in the fourth quarter. Since Tesla did not push FSD to all Cybertrucks in the last two days of September, it means that FSD's deferred revenue is likely to be realized in the fourth quarter and cover more than 50,000 Cybertrucks.
This could bring in up to $500 million in "unexpected" revenue, concentrated in a single quarter. Analysts believe that Tesla will delay recognizing all or most FSD revenue until the FSD software is downloaded to vehicles. For the Cybertruck, this fee ranges from $8,000 to $15,000, depending on the initial reservation time. This deferred revenue recognition could become a significant highlight in Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings report. However, we will have to wait until next January's fourth-quarter earnings report to confirm this.
Tesla Wins Shareholder Lawsuit
In other news, Tesla recently successfully defended against a shareholder lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that Tesla used misleading statements to boost its stock price, mainly targeting Tesla's promotion of its self-driving technology.
U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín dismissed the shareholders' allegations against Tesla CEO Elon Musk in today’s ruling. Shareholders claimed that Musk exaggerated Tesla's self-driving capabilities and accused him of promising that drivers would be able to sleep in their cars by 2020, promises that ultimately failed to materialize.
The judge noted that some of the alleged over-promises involved future plans and were not explicitly false statements, while other statements did not constitute misleading information.
The judge wrote in the ruling: "Plaintiffs have failed to connect Musk’s personal management to any information he was exposed to and cannot demonstrate his statements were false or misleading.”
This lawsuit was one of the legal challenges to the marketing and promotion of Tesla's self-driving technology. However, this ruling represents a legal victory for Tesla. Tesla's self-driving technology has been attracting a lot of attention in the global market, and this ruling will help the company gain more support in terms of the legality of its technology promotion. Musk's comment on the news was: "Justice prevails."
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Part 2: FSD V12.5.4.1 Officially Released
Tesla Rolls Out FSD V12.5.4.1 with 2024.32.10 Update
Tesla has begun rolling out its latest FSD V12.5.4.1 software to customer vehicles. This version is notably being delivered for the first time through the 2024.32.10 software update. This release is significant because it allows vehicles running software version 2024.32 to continue receiving new FSD updates. Previously, vehicles on this software branch were limited to FSD V12.3.6. This means that existing vehicles with 2024.32 software will also be able to enjoy future FSD technology improvements.
Focus on Actually Smart Summon (ASS) Improvements
This FSD v12.5.4.1 update brings several optimizations and improvements specifically for the "Actually Smart Summon" (ASS) feature. According to Tesla's release notes, this update includes:
- Improved Public/Highway Summon Abort Responsiveness: This enhances the vehicle's reaction time and accuracy when an abort maneuver is required during a summon on public roads or highways.
- Enhanced Summon Abort with Obstructed Cameras: The system will more reliably abort the summon if the cameras are blocked by obstacles, preventing potential hazards.
- Reduced False Collision Detections: The new version minimizes instances where the summon aborts due to false collision warnings, ensuring a smoother user experience.
- Improved Dumb Summon Functionality: This makes the "Dumb Summon" feature more precise in low-speed and simpler environments.
- Customization Options: Users can now add custom or funny sounds, such as fart noises, for a more entertaining summoning experience.
Upcoming Features for Enhanced User Experience
Tesla has also teased some upcoming features for ASS:
- Integration with HomeLink and myQ Garage Systems: This will allow users to seamlessly open or close their garage doors using ASS.
- Continuous Summon Operation: A future update will enable users to initiate a summon without having to continuously hold down the button, further enhancing convenience.
Legacy Model S and X to Receive ASS by Year-End
In a move reaffirming their commitment to older vehicle models, Tesla has announced plans to bring the "Actually Smart Summon" feature to legacy Model S and X vehicles by the end of the year. This demonstrates that even though these models are older, Tesla is continuing to introduce the latest technologies for them, fulfilling their commitment and gratitude to long-term supporters.
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Part 3: Starlink to Support Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Trump and Musk Discuss Using Starlink for Communication
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that he had spoken with Elon Musk about utilizing Starlink satellite internet technology to support communities affected by Hurricane Helen.
Trump mentioned in a statement: "I just spoke to Elon Musk, and we are looking to have SpaceX Starlink help out in the areas most affected by the hurricane and without communication. Elon has always stepped up in times of need, and we have no doubt he will deliver once again."
Starlink's Role in Restoring Connectivity
Hurricane Helen has caused widespread damage to infrastructure, resulting in communication outages in many areas. Starlink has the ability to quickly restore communication in emergency situations, providing a critical lifeline for affected areas.
SpaceX immediately responded, stating they were expediting the deployment of additional Starlink terminals to assist with disaster relief efforts. This move showcases Starlink's rapid deployment capabilities in disaster response and highlights the importance of restoring communication in affected areas.
Starlink Donates 500 Devices for Immediate Deployment
Since Hurricane Helen hit, Starlink has been assisting in restoring communication to the affected regions. In the latest update, former NASCAR star Greg Biffle stated that SpaceX had donated 500 Starlink devices. He expects to receive the devices by 5 AM tomorrow and will immediately deploy helicopters to deliver them to the affected areas in Western North Carolina, helping to restore communication links for those in need.
Through its low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, Starlink can provide stable network connections to remote and disaster-stricken areas in the shortest possible time. As global climate change intensifies and extreme weather events become more frequent, Starlink's role in global post-disaster emergency response will become increasingly prominent.
FCC Denies Starlink Subsidy Despite Proven Capabilities
However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made a recent decision that does not seem to adequately support Starlink. They have rejected providing nearly $900 million in subsidies to Starlink. This funding was initially intended to expand broadband internet service to remote areas of the United States.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated that the decision stemmed from the agency's belief that Starlink would not be able to deliver the service as promised.
In 2020, Starlink was awarded nearly $900 million from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) to connect 642,000 Americans in remote areas by 2025. However, the FCC deemed that Starlink had failed to meet the project requirements, even though the project deadline is not until 2025.
The reality is that Starlink is adding over 7,700 users daily and providing support during major disasters like Hurricane Helen. Even the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is using Starlink. Additionally, the world's largest airline has signed a contract to equip its entire fleet with Starlink services.
Facts have proven that Starlink has provided reliable and high-speed network connections to millions of users. Despite this, the FCC still claims that Starlink may not be able to deliver the services as promised and made predictions based on this, withdrawing the funding prematurely.
Some analysts believe that this decision is a huge loss for residents in remote areas. If the government chooses to connect these 640,000 people with fiber optics, not only will the cost be ten times higher, but it will also take more time.
What are your thoughts on today’s news? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
That's all for today's content. Thank you for watching.