There are numerous threads about whether or not Tesla can deliver on the promise of FSD on cars sold with that option, and while there are occasionally posts about what they might do if they can't deliver I have been unable to find a thread specifically for speculating about that. If there is one please point me to it!
Here are some theories, and responses to said theories, I've seen floated but am curious if they're likely, or even possible. If you have any other theories I'd love to hear them! Again, this isn't to discuss the technical aspects of AP and whether it's possible or what upgrades may be necessary to enable it, there are already threads for that, this is purely to speculate what will happen if they can't deliver FSD to cars already sold with the option.
Theory 1: Tesla will retrofit cars as needed to enable FSD.
Response: Telsa won't be able to retrofit much, maybe replacing the AP computer and radar but that's about it. If adding lidar, additional radars or cameras in the future is needed for FSD that's not something they can afford to do for all cars sold with the FSD option before then.
Theory 2: Tesla will issue refunds on the FSD upgrade option.
Response: Will this be enough? Will customers take them to court because they bought a car expecting the FSD option to be possible in the future?
Theory 3: Tesla will replace entire cars, offer buy-back options or discounts on new cars.
Response: Will Tesla be able to afford this? If they offer buy-back options or discounts what will the values be based on?
Theory 4: Tesla will hide behind their wording that there is no timeline for FSD or that regulations won't allow it.
Response: Is it legal to sell a feature without a committed timeline and then simply never deliver on the feature? What if regulations don't allow it, does Tesla still have to deliver FSD even if it's not legal to use anywhere?
Theory 5: Elon Musk will step down or Tesla will fold if unable to deliver on FSD as promised.
Response: Would Elon stepping down change anything? What are the chances a company like Tesla will fold and where does that leave the customers? Could Tesla be the next AMC (Delorean)?
I want to stress that I'm crossing my fingers and toes that Tesla can and will deliver FSD, I'm definitely rooting for them, so please don't take this post as me being a negative sack. Hopefully none of the theories in this thread come to pass, I just find it interesting to speculate what could happen if they don't deliver.
Here are some theories, and responses to said theories, I've seen floated but am curious if they're likely, or even possible. If you have any other theories I'd love to hear them! Again, this isn't to discuss the technical aspects of AP and whether it's possible or what upgrades may be necessary to enable it, there are already threads for that, this is purely to speculate what will happen if they can't deliver FSD to cars already sold with the option.
Theory 1: Tesla will retrofit cars as needed to enable FSD.
Response: Telsa won't be able to retrofit much, maybe replacing the AP computer and radar but that's about it. If adding lidar, additional radars or cameras in the future is needed for FSD that's not something they can afford to do for all cars sold with the FSD option before then.
Theory 2: Tesla will issue refunds on the FSD upgrade option.
Response: Will this be enough? Will customers take them to court because they bought a car expecting the FSD option to be possible in the future?
Theory 3: Tesla will replace entire cars, offer buy-back options or discounts on new cars.
Response: Will Tesla be able to afford this? If they offer buy-back options or discounts what will the values be based on?
Theory 4: Tesla will hide behind their wording that there is no timeline for FSD or that regulations won't allow it.
Response: Is it legal to sell a feature without a committed timeline and then simply never deliver on the feature? What if regulations don't allow it, does Tesla still have to deliver FSD even if it's not legal to use anywhere?
Theory 5: Elon Musk will step down or Tesla will fold if unable to deliver on FSD as promised.
Response: Would Elon stepping down change anything? What are the chances a company like Tesla will fold and where does that leave the customers? Could Tesla be the next AMC (Delorean)?
I want to stress that I'm crossing my fingers and toes that Tesla can and will deliver FSD, I'm definitely rooting for them, so please don't take this post as me being a negative sack. Hopefully none of the theories in this thread come to pass, I just find it interesting to speculate what could happen if they don't deliver.