According to Sawyer Merritt, Tesla has updated its policy so that buyers in the U.S. can no longer purchase Full Self-Driving (FSD) outright when ordering a pre-owned vehicle directly from inventory. Instead, customers are now offered a $99 per month subscription or the opportunity to purchase FSD outright only after vehicle delivery, with the outright option available until February 14th (source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter). This move highlights Tesla's increasing focus on recurring revenue through AI-powered subscription services, positioning its FSD as a central driver of future automotive AI business models.

According to @SawyerMerritt, citing Canaccord Genuity analyst George Gianarikas, 2026 is set to be a pivotal year for Tesla due to the expected large-scale production of AI-powered products such as CyberCab and Optimus (Gen 3), along with an uptick in Semi output and the launch of Megapack 3 for energy storage. The analyst highlights that the end of EV subsidies has slowed short-term demand but is fostering a more sustainable market. Tesla's integrated approach to electric vehicles, robotics, and energy storage positions it uniquely in the U.S. market. The report underscores that this transition period offers significant business opportunities for companies investing in dedicated AI platforms and advanced manufacturing, reinforcing Tesla's leadership in the AI-driven EV and energy sectors (source: @SawyerMerritt via X, Jan 3, 2026).