Survey Finds That Self-Driving Is Actively Chasing Buyers Away From Tesla

"In its monthly Electronic Vehicle Intelligence Report (EVIR), Slingshot surveyed more than 8,000 people across US demographics in August, finding that 35 percent of participants said having FSD included in an EV they were considering for purchase would now make them less likely to buy it. By contrast, only 14 percent said that Tesla's self-driving suite, which costs either $8,000 upfront or $99 per month, would convince them to purchase a car."

"Another fascinating data point: nearly half of the survey respondents said they think the tech - which along with Tesla's Autopilot feature has been linked to hundreds of crashes, some fatal - shouldn't be legal at all. The not-so-self-driving feature has faced ample regulatory scrutiny over safety concerns and its maddeningly misleading brand name. The United Kingdom decided against letting motorists take their hands off the wheel when self-driving features were engaged."

"Tesla's misleadingly-named " full-self driving" (FSD) feature - which still requires drivers pay attention to the road, even if they often fail horrifically at that simple task - is one of the Elon Musk-owned electric carmaker's biggest self-styled selling points. Until recently, the boastful multi-hyphenate entrepreneur's decade-plus of over-promising and under-delivering on assisted driving software did little to tarnish bullish investors' slavish devotion to Tesla."

Full Self-Driving (FSD) is marketed as a major Tesla selling point despite still requiring driver attention and being linked to hundreds of crashes, some fatal. A Slingshot survey of over 8,000 US respondents found 35 percent would be less likely to buy an EV if FSD were included, while only 14 percent said FSD would convince them to purchase. Fifty-one percent were indifferent to its inclusion, and nearly half think the technology should be illegal. Regulators have limited hands-off use in the United Kingdom and suspended an FSD trial in China. FSD is offered at $8,000 upfront or $99 per month amid weak Tesla sales and reputational challenges.

Read at Futurism