Tesla’s push towards launching its Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in regions with left-hand-drive (LHD) configurations has gained momentum, with CEO Elon Musk indicating an imminent expansion beyond North America.
While Tesla has been laying the groundwork for FSD launches in international markets for some time, Musk’s recent statement hints at a focused effort to introduce the software in LHD regions. However, the company is not yet ready to launch in right-hand-drive (RHD) markets.
We believe version 12 is ready for supervised FSD in LHD countries. RHD will take a bit longer.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2024
LHD countries, such as the United States, Canada, and many European countries, have the driver seated on the left side of the car, driving on the right side of the road. China, a crucial market for Tesla, also follows this configuration.
Tesla executives have been signaling the imminent launch of FSD in other markets, with discussions about the timing of its global expansion arising during the company’s Q1 2024 earnings call. Notably, Musk and others have emphasized that regulatory approval is not the primary obstacle to launching in new markets.
While Tesla has been conducting independent FSD testing in various countries, the regulatory groundwork for semi-autonomous driving technology has been evolving, particularly through discussions with the United Nations Economic Commission (UNECE) in recent months. Tesla’s move to offer Enhanced Autopilot subscriptions in China is seen as a significant step towards the potential launch of FSD in the country.
This week, Tesla’s FSD surpassed 1.3 billion cumulative miles, a milestone expected to rise rapidly as more users adopt the system. In North America, the company has initiated one-month free trials and mandatory test drives for new buyers, ahead of its planned robotaxi platform launch in August. Additionally, Tesla has reduced the price of FSD for both subscription and one-time purchase options.
