Transferring Tesla FSD Is Back! What Does This Mean?

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Tesla is doing it again. If you have a Tesla with Full Self Driving (FSD), you can now (again) buy a new Tesla and have it transferred to that new car.

Originally, after customers begged for this for years, Elon Musk conceded and agreed to let Tesla owners who had purchased FSD transfer it to a new car with no extra charge — for one quarter only. That was several quarters ago. Then Musk changed his mind and offered this again, and then again. There’s been a break from the offering, but now it’s back.

So, what does this mean?

There are two big possibilities. For one, there’s the obvious explanation — Tesla is facing a consumer demand problem and is doing this to try to stimulate sales. Given what’s been going on in recent quarters, I feel like this has to be a factor, especially since it seemed to be a tool Tesla used previously when it started facing demand challenges.

The other big potential explanation is that it’s just the right thing to do. People bought FSD years ago and still don’t actually have full unsupervised self-driving. I bought it in 2019, for example, when I bought a new Model 3 from Tesla. Yet, almost 6 years later, I still can’t use it as a robotaxi as promised before I bought it. It only seems right to give early and misled FSD buyers the opportunity to keep FSD with the purchase of a new Tesla.

I think it’s a bit generous to think that this is about doing what’s right by customers. Elon Musk could have made that decision a long time ago. Many, many loyal Tesla customers asked for it. I think this is really about stimulating more sales in what is already turning out to be a weak quarter (I presume). After the total collapse of Tesla sales and profits in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, if sales aren’t picking up fast, I imagine Tesla is looking for ways to urgently stoke more demand.

What do you think?

By the way, here’s the full text of the email Tesla sent today:

It’s back—you can now transfer your Full Self-Driving (Supervised) to a new Tesla for a limited time.*

Get a new Model 3 with 0% APR financing for up to 60 months or 0.99% APR for 72 months.** You can also lease a new Model 3 starting at $349 per month for 24 months with $0 down.***

Request a trade-in estimate for your current vehicle or design yours to get started. Trade-in not required.

Oh, yes, this is on top of other big incentives that have driven down Tesla’s ASP (average selling price) and profits.