Tesla Inc.’s artificial intelligence chief, Ashok Elluswamy, has hinted that the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology may become available in other parts of Europe following its approval by the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). This development could pave the way for the expansion of FSD to territories outside of the European Union.
Potential Expansion
Elluswamy responded to a post by influencer Whole Mars Catalog, who predicted that the FSD system would receive approval from multiple countries. Elluswamy stated, “The European regulation is followed by a lot more countries than just the ones in EU,” suggesting that the technology may soon be available in other regions. The European Union’s vehicle safety standards are recognized and followed by all member states, as well as by 56 member states of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which includes countries such as the United States, Canada, Israel, Japan, and South Korea.
Regulatory Scrutiny
Although the FSD technology has received approval from the EU regulator, it is still under scrutiny by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation into the system has moved into the Engineering Analysis phase, which typically precedes a recall. Meanwhile, investor Ross Gerber of Gerber Kawasaki has criticized Tesla’s FSD v14.3 update, demanding that the automaker initiate a $10,000 refund to customers who paid for the self-driving capabilities if the system does not work unsupervised.
CEO Elon Musk’s Stance
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reaffirmed his bullish stance on the FSD system, arguing that it saves lives. Musk also expressed sadness at the several lawsuits that the automaker faces over its FSD system and its capabilities. On a positive note, NHTSA recently announced that it had closed its probe into Tesla’s “actually smart summon” feature, which can move the car over short distances using a smartphone app.
Market Reaction
Tesla’s stock surged 0.67% to $351.30 during the after-hours trading session on Friday. According to rankings, Tesla offers poor Momentum and Value, while also failing to provide a favorable price trend in the Short, Medium, and Long term.
Conclusion
The approval of Tesla’s FSD technology by the Dutch regulator marks a significant milestone for the company. As the technology expands to multiple countries, it is likely to face continued regulatory scrutiny and criticism from investors. However, with CEO Elon Musk’s unwavering support and the potential for the technology to save lives, Tesla’s FSD system is poised to shape the future of the automotive industry.