Wait times for new Teslas have dropped considerably

November 11, 2022

By Kevin Armstrong

Wait times for a Tesla have been drastically reduced

Tesla

Just in time for Christmas, Tesla's wait times are considerably shorter. Model S or Model X Plaid have estimated delivery dates from November to December, as do the Performance variants of the Model 3 and Model Y. So, there is plenty of time for Santa to drop one off in the driveway with a big bow. Not only that, but several areas also have Model Ys and Model 3s available right now.

It's in stark contrast to a few months ago when some buyers reported wait times of up to a year. This new situation could be viewed two ways. Tesla has achieved much better production times to keep those wait times lower, or demand has slowed for the vehicles.

Piecing together the company's headlines from the past year and you spot a few themes, production has been ramping up, there is now an abundance of batteries, and the shipping bottlenecks appear to be solved. The Model Y, which Elon Musk says will be the best-selling vehicle in the world in 2023, has been the focus of the Gigafactory in Texas. On October 30, the company tweeted Giga Texas had produced 20,000 Model Ys. The tweet came just 43 days after announcing the factory had reached 10,000.

In September, Tesla's vice president of investor relations gave a private presentation to Goldman Sachs. Martin Viecha was quoted by the Business Insider saying, "For the first time I can remember, we can access all the supply we need for both businesses." The businesses are vehicles and Powerwalls. So, getting the single most crucial component in an electric car is no issue.

However, dropping demand for several months to just a few weeks could also indicate fewer orders. The reigning king of the electric vehicle space has had a lot more company in the past year. Every automaker worldwide has been tripping over themselves announcing electric vehicles. Tesla had a ten-year head start on the competition, which started right after the first Model S was delivered in 2012. Now consumers have more choices, and some loyal to a brand can switch to electric while remaining with that same brand. While Tesla creates the best electric cars on Earth, they only have four models available to pick from, which may not fit everyone's needs.

Tesla has also recently stopped allowing buyers to hold off on an order when it's their turn to complete the purchase. You. used to be able to put off orders, but you're now limited to a one-time hold of up to seven days. At that point, you'll need to go through with the purchase or forfeit your place in line.

This change to Tesla's policy may also have played a role in reduced wait times.

Another factor that may be playing a role is the new U.S. tax credit that begins in 2023. Many reservation holders may be putting off their orders or canceling them in order to qualify for the upcoming tax credit.

While most vehicles are available within weeks, the Model 3 long-range is still unavailable for order. However, the website says it will be available in 2023. Keep in mind this doesn't include the Cybertruck, which will start to be delivered next year. Those wait times have been long.

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

July 26, 2024

By Karan Singh

@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

Manhasset, New York
West Covina, California
Los Angeles, California
Houston, Texas
Orlando, Florida
Westmont, Illinois
Tucson, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Delaware

Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

July 26, 2024

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10^th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.