Tesla appears ready to have FSD Beta make an international release
Not a Tesla App
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) is reportedly on the verge of a major international expansion, with China being a significant focus, but other countries may also be nearing release. This speculation is fueled by various indicators pointing towards Tesla's preparation for a global release of FSD Beta beyond its current availability in North America.
Last week, we broke the news that Tesla's FSD v12 was released to employees. This could be the version that Tesla aims to release into additional markets.
Key Indicators of International Expansion
Tesla has begun translating FSD Beta release notes into multiple languages. This includes the release notes such an explanation of FSD Beta, FSD Beta Suspension, and Driving Visualization Improvements, however, the technical release notes that change from version to version remain mostly untranslated. These release notes are now available in various languages including German, Danish, Italian and others. This selective translation process suggests a preparation phase for introducing FSD Beta to international markets, although not in its current version.
Developments in China
The prospect of Tesla's FSD Beta entering the Chinese market has been a topic of discussion for some time. Recent observations indicated that Tesla China's website briefly featured references to FSD Beta, although these were later removed, adding to the speculation.
According to reports from Chinese media, including China Fund News, Tesla is actively moving forward with plans to release FSD in the Chinese market.
A joint notice from several Chinese government departments mentioned that vehicles with Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous capabilities might be allowed for road tests in certain areas. This development aligns well with Tesla's potential plans to test FSD Beta in China.
Infrastructure Developments
In 2021, Tesla established a data center in Shanghai to gather data from its domestic operations. Additionally, Tesla has formed an FSD operations team and a data labeling team in Shanghai. Despite these developments, there are hurdles to overcome before FSD Beta's release in China, such as data collection qualifications.
Tesla has not provided a specific timeline for the FSD Beta release in China, but the company has confirmed ongoing preparations. This aligns with recent changes observed in Tesla's online manuals in China.
Tesla's FSD Beta is poised for an international rollout, with China being a primary target. The translation of release notes, updates to owner manuals, and recent government notices all point toward Tesla's preparation for an international release. While challenges remain, the groundwork laid by Tesla, particularly in China, indicates significant progress in bringing FSD Beta to international markets.
Below is part of the German release notes for FSD Beta, which read:
Autonomes Fahren (Beta)"
Sie können die Funktion Autonomes Fahren (Beta) aktivieren. Tippen Sie hierzu auf ‚Fahrzeug‘ > ‚Autopilot‘ > ‚Autonomes Fahren (Beta)‘ und folgen Sie den Anweisungen.
Die Funktion Autonomes Fahren befindet sich in einer frühen, eingeschränkten Beta-Phase und muss daher mit zusätzlicher Vorsicht verwendet werden. Da sie möglicherweise im schlechtesten Moment falsch reagiert, müssen Sie Ihre Hände immer am Steuer lassen und genau auf die Straße achten. Werden Sie nicht nachlässig. Wenn Vollautonomes Fahren aktiviert ist, wird Ihr Fahrzeug Spurwechsel auch abseits der Autobahn durchführen, Ihrer Navigationsroute an Abzweigungen folgen sowie um andere Fahrzeuge und Objekte herum steuern und nach rechts und links abbiegen. Verwenden Sie die Funktion Autonomes Fahren im eingeschränkten Beta-Modus nur, wenn Sie jederzeit auf die Straße achten und sofort eingreifen können, insbesondere an uneinsehbaren Ecken, beim Überqueren von Kreuzungen und in Fahrsituationen mit wenig Platz.
Ihr Fahrzeug nutzt Tesla Vision! Beachten Sie, dass für Tesla Vision auch einige vorübergehende Einschränkungen gelten: Der Folgeabstand ist auf 2-7 und die Höchstgeschwindigkeit des Autopiloten auf 85 mph begrenzt.
According to Chinese blog posts from earlier last week, now vetted by Reuters, Tesla intends to produce a cut-down version of the Model Y, initially for the Chinese market, sometime in 2026.
This follows the launch of Tesla’s cut-down Model 3 for Mexico, as well as news that Tesla intends to launch their new next-gen model sometime in the near future.
Cut Down, But How?
The new Model Y, internally referred to as Project E41, is designed to lower the entry price of Tesla’s popular SUV—one of the most compelling options on the market due to its size, range, and versatility, especially following the launch of the refreshed Model Y.
To achieve this, Tesla is reportedly aiming to reduce the Model Y’s total cost by nearly 20%, according to reports from China. While exact changes remain unknown, we can make informed guesses based on the cost-saving measures Tesla implemented in the scaled-down Model 3 for Mexico.
Textile Seats and Trim
One of the most noticeable changes in the cost-cut version of the Model 3 in Mexico was the removal of vegan leather throughout the interior. In its place, Tesla opted for a durable textile fabric for the seats, reducing material costs. Additionally, any Alcantara trim pieces were replaced with the same textile in various areas.
No Heated or Cooled Seats
Another major cost-cutting measure was the removal of heated and cooled seats, along with the heated steering wheel. While these feature reductions may seem minor, eliminating them reduces various things, such as electrical components, harnesses, and ductwork that are required for seat ventilation.
No Rear Screen
One of the more unexpected changes in the reduced-cost Model 3 was the removal of the rear screen, despite it being powered by the same front infotainment computer as the front display. Given that the screen functions primarily as an additional display rather than a standalone system, the cost to include it is extremely low. It’s one of those really smart additions Tesla has added that increases value for the consumer with minimal cost to Tesla.
Tesla is unlikely to redesign or modify the vehicle’s wiring harness for this change, meaning a rear screen could potentially be retrofitted later by the customer. Based on replacement part estimates, the screen likely costs Tesla between $5 and $20 per vehicle, which acts as a secondary monitor for the infotainment computer.
Ambient Lighting, Acoustic Glass, Speakers
The final set of changes also focuses on the interior. Tesla replaced the RGB-capable ambient lighting with a simpler white-only version—likely saving only a few dollars per vehicle. While this may seem like a minor and somewhat unexpected cut, it could serve as an upsell opportunity to the standard RWD variant.
Additionally, Tesla reduced the use of dual-pane acoustic glass, now limiting it to just the front windows and windshield. This change drastically cuts costs but also affects cabin noise levels. The dual-pane glass played a key role in making the refreshed Model Y noticeably quieter, so this downgrade will likely bring noise insulation closer to that of the original Model Y.
As for audio, Tesla scaled down the speaker system in the Mexican Model 3 from 17 speakers to just nine, while also removing the subwoofers and one of the audio amplifiers. While this cuts costs due to wiring and speakers, it also has a large impact on the audio quality in the vehicle.
Project E41 is Not the Next-Gen Model
It’s important to note that Project E41 is not the same as the upcoming, more affordable next-gen platform, which is internally referred to as Project Redwood. While Project E41 focuses on a reduced-cost version of the Model Y, Project Redwood is designed to test Tesla’s manufacturing capabilities, using their innovative unboxed assembly method to reduce both costs and production time. The goal is to create a vehicle that is smaller and more affordable, while also keeping it safe and capable of self-driving.
Tesla previously confirmed that they plan to unveil new models—distinct from cut-down versions of the Model 3 or Model Y—during their Q4 2024 Earnings Call. However, the executive team has been careful not to divulge too many details about the upcoming model during interviews. This suggests there may be a lot more that has yet to be unveiled.
The Cybertruck is something that’s completely out of this world—so much so that when people are unfamiliar with it, their first reaction is often, “What is that?”
And stepping inside only reinforces that impression. With its hidden-button doors and sleek, futuristic interior, the Cybertruck truly feels like something from another world. Recently, Tesla’s Chief Vehicle Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, revealed that an image shared by the official Cybertruck account on X is actually the original sketch that inspired its radical design.
Many Iterations
The Cybertruck has undergone numerous design iterations, and we’ve had the chance to explore some of Tesla’s earliest concepts for a truck that would define the future in many ways. These insights come from Walter Isaacson, who detailed them in his biography of Elon Musk.
Originally shared in 2023, the images revealed a dramatically different vision—one without the now-iconic angular rear sail. The design drew inspiration from various art forms, including video games, books, and movies—essentially, anywhere sci-fi had imagined a sleek, futuristic, or rugged truck.
The Nighthawk
The infamous F-117 Nighthawk.
Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II | http://www.defenselink.mil/
The design that ultimately made it to production wasn’t one of those early concepts. Instead, it was inspired by none other than the infamous American F-117 Nighthawk—a now-retired, single-seat stealth bomber developed by the secretive Skunk Works for the U.S. military. As the world’s first stealth aircraft, the F-117 revolutionized aviation with its groundbreaking design.
Much like the Cybertruck’s deluge of new technologies, the F-117 brought innovations that reshaped modern aircraft design. Its angular, faceted surfaces were engineered to deflect radar waves and reduce its infrared signature—features that directly influenced the Cybertruck’s distinctive geometry. When wrapped in black, the resemblance to the Nighthawk is undeniable.
Now, while we can’t say for sure if the Cybertruck is truly “stealthy”—since it turns heads wherever it goes—it does reflect radar waves. That said, don’t expect it to help you evade speed cameras or slip past the police unnoticed.
Super Stealthy
Not a Tesla App
The Nighthawk’s angular design also required advanced computerization—because, at first, no one believed it could even fly. Without its onboard computers to fine-tune the pilot’s inputs, it simply wouldn’t have. Similarly, the Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire system and rear-wheel steering give it an unexpected level of agility—especially for a massive stainless-steel vehicle that’s this fast.
The Cybertruck is truly one of a kind—there’s nothing else like it on the road today. Franz von Holzhausen delivered on Elon Musk’s vision of a truck from the future, and Tesla’s engineering team brought that vision to life in a way that few thought possible.
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