Tesla Significantly Reduces Wrap Pricing and Adds New Abyss Blue Color

January 10, 2024

By Kevin Armstrong

Tesla has added Satin Abyss Blue to its collection of wrap colors

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In a move that combines aesthetic expansion with affordability, Tesla has not only introduced a new Paint Protection Film (PPF) color, Satin Abyss Blue, but also significantly slashed the prices of its wrap offerings. This new color joins a diverse palette, marking the eighth option in Tesla's PPF lineup.

Pricing Strategy: A Shift Towards Affordability

Originally launched in October 2023, Tesla's PPF wraps were initially priced between $7,500 and $8,000. Though reflective of the premium quality, this pricing was a significant investment for Tesla owners. Many believed the price was two to three times what a high-quality wrap costs at auto shops. Perhaps Telsa was testing the market as the price tag was slashed four months later to a more affordable range of $5,700 to $6,000.

The price adjustment may be a strategic decision to broaden the appeal of these wraps, making them a more feasible option for a larger segment of Tesla owners. However, the service is currently only available at two Tesla locations in California. The company would likely expand the service to other locations if the demand picks up due to the improved price point.

Current PPF Wrap Options and Pricing

The revised pricing structure now makes the following options more attainable:

Glacier Blue: $6,000
Forest Green: $6,000
Satin Rose Gold: $6,000
Slip Gray: $5,700
Satin Ceramic White: $5,700
Satin Stealth Black: $5,700
Crimson Red: $6,000
Clear Satin or Gloss: $5,000
Satin Abyss Blue: $6,000 (new addition)

The consistency in pricing across most colors, including the new Satin Abyss Blue, shows Tesla's approach to offering a uniform pricing strategy for its custom PPF options.

Benefits of Tesla's PPF Wraps

Tesla's PPF wraps are not just an aesthetic upgrade. They are a practical investment offering several benefits:

Self-Healing Technology: The urethane-based film is designed to recover from minor abrasions while maintaining a flawless appearance.
Enhanced Protection: Being twice as thick as typical vinyl wraps, Tesla's PPF offers superior safeguarding against scratches and environmental damage.
Eco-Friendly Choice: Aligning with Tesla's sustainability goals, these wraps are more environmentally friendly than traditional options.

While these colored PPF wraps are currently limited to the Model 3 and Model Y, there’s also the option of a black or white wrap available for the Cybertruck for $6,000. Meanwhile, a clear satin wrap for the Cybertruck runs $5,000, the same price as the Model 3/Y clear option.

The Cybertruck has been seen in various unique wraps

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There's growing excitement about the potential of wider color availability for the Cybertruck, which has appeared in several unique wraps. Tesla's wrapping service has the potential to enhance the customization options for owners, allowing their cars to stand out from other Teslas. The free color option, currently stealth gray, can sometimes result in a cluster of similar-looking Teslas at a particular location.

Tesla's decision to launch and expand its PPF range resonates with its strategy to offer more personalized options to its customers. This move parallels Tesla's initiatives in China, where the company already offers a wrapping service catering to customers' desires for a unique vehicle appearance.

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.