Tesla is also suffering from the chip shortage. According to anonymous sources, this has led to certain models being delivered without a wheelhouse computer that could be needed for autonomous driving in the future.
This news has in no way been confirmed by Tesla, but comes from sources who sound the alarm via the American news channel CNBC. The Dutch branch could not yet be reached for comment.
However, the issue is said to affect Chinese-built versions of the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y and is therefore also relevant for European buyers. The cars in question would have been delivered with one instead of two ECUs (Electronic Control Units) for the steering rack. This second copy can easily be omitted, because it is in fact a backup that would be of no use with the current functions of the said Teslas. According to the sources, Tesla would not have found it necessary to inform customers about this move for that reason, and that seems to be defendable.
Still, omitting this “steering computer” could have consequences in the future, CNBC says. The parts would be needed if Tesla’s Full Self Driving option, which is gradually being expanded, reaches level 3 autonomous driving. This is the stage where the driver can take their eyes off the road under certain conditions. That makes it important, because Tesla through CEO Elon Musk regularly promises that this phase is coming. The cars in question could then not be made ready for the next step with a simple software update, but must first be equipped with an extra steering computer.
The Full Self Driving option, which must be checked for this issue to be relevant, costs at the time of writing €7,500 on a Model 3 or Model Y. You can check this option in the configurator, but you can also use it with a order in a few simple taps in the app. The car already has all the necessary hardware and is therefore only provided with these functions by means of software. At the moment, buyers receive automatic lane changes, automatic steering within built-up areas and independent parking for that money, but the FSD functionality is regularly expanded without having to open the cut further. In certain countries, ‘FSD’ is also available as a subscription.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl