Autopilot for Cybertruck: Tesla gives away its expensive software just to rid warehouses of 'steel monsters'

Tesla is banking on fan loyalty in an attempt to save the Cybertruck from failure. Amid low sales and growing scepticism around the pickup's design and quality, the company is offering an unprecedented promotion: a free transfer of Full Self-Driving (FSD) - a $12,000 autopilot system - to the Cybertruck. Previously, this privilege was given only temporarily and only for the popular Model S, 3, X and Y models.

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The offer first appeared on Tesla's current promotions page, and was part of a general selling pressure on buyers - especially ahead of the end of the $7500 tax credit for electric cars on 30 September.

Tesla is clearly recognising: the Cybertruck isn't selling itself. Instead, the company is activating its most expensive lure, the FSD, which used to be strictly tied to the vehicle, not the owner. This concession shows just how serious the model's interest problems are: sales fell nearly 51 per cent in the second quarter of 2025 to just 4,306 vehicles, down 50.8 per cent (8,755 units) from those delivered in the same period last year. The pickup is berated for assembly, rust, bugs - and just for being weird.

Instead of high-profile success, it's a forced sale with "giveaways." Tesla is literally paying to get rid of the Cybertruck, giving away FSDs as a consolation prize. Whether this will save the model's image is still in question.

Source: Gizmodo