Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that current and new US customers would get a one-month Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature trial.

Additionally, according to two emails confirmed by a source inside Tesla, Elon Musk has ordered company employees to demonstrate the Tesla FSD to prospective customers and owners of serviced cars. This campaign is being launched amid Tesla's sales and profit issues, blamed on price competition and declining demand in the electrict vehicle (EV) market, per Reuters.

Tesla stresses that even though its driving-assistance technologies are marketed as autopilot and full self-driving, these capabilities do not make its cars autonomous and still require active driver supervision. Tesla's driver assistance software is currently undergoing regulatory review for safety and marketing, delaying Musk's promise of complete autonomy.

Most customers in North America can avail of the Tesla FSD for $199 per month.

Elon Musk confirmed the Tesla FSD trial launch in a post on the social media platform X, saying, "We will enable all US cars that are capable of FSD for a one-month trial this week." According to Tesla's website, new sales of the X, S, and Y models are eligible for the trial offer.

Tesla Asks Employees to Work Extra Hours

Morever, in a separate memo, Tesla is asking workers to sign up for extra hours to deliver vehicles to customers before the end of the first quarter, according to a CNBC report.

With the words, "Join us in delighting customers as they take delivery!" the message invites staff members to take part in making sure customers are satisfied throughout the delivery process. The Tesla memo stresses the necessity for assistance in moving, preparing, and transporting electric automobiles to clients throughout the quarter.

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The EV manufacturer's hourly workers receive overtime payments, whereas salaried staff members receive no additional compensation for working delivery hours. Hourly workers usually bill their hours to a sales and delivery cost center.

(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A tesla vehicle is displayed in a Manhattan dealership on January 30, 2020 in New York City.

Tesla Slows Down Production in China as Competition Rises

These developments come after the Tesla decided to reduce EV production in its China, the world's biggest auto market due to slow sales. The firm changed the manufacturing timetable from six and a half days to five days a week for the Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan in its Shanghai facility.

TechTimes reported that Tesla also experienced a year-over-year drop in shipments, despite a 17% increase in passenger car sales and a 37.5% increase in new-energy vehicle sales in China during the first two months of 2024. The firm faces increased competition in China from BYD Co. and other cheaper electric vehicle producers face increased competition in China.

China's Passenger Car Association reported that Tesla delivered 131,812 cars in the first two months of 2024, down 6% from last year.

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