Tesla Exec Admits Elon Musk's Self-Driving Promises Exceed Engineering Reality
A leaked memo reveals that Tesla's Autopilot director told California regulators that Elon Musk's public timeline for full self-driving does not match the company's actual engineering reality.
A newly released memo shows that Tesla's public statements about its self-driving technology do not align with the actual engineering reality of the system. The memo, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, summarizes a meeting between California DMV regulators and Tesla employees. It explicitly states that CEO Elon Musk inflates the capabilities of the Autopilot advanced driver assistance system and overpromises on the company's ability to deliver fully autonomous features.
Tesla currently offers a "full self-driving" (FSD) package for an additional $10,000, but the company's vehicles are not actually self-driving. During the meeting with regulators, Tesla's director of Autopilot software, CJ Moore, confirms that Musk's optimistic tweets about achieving full autonomy do not reflect the true state of the technology. Moore clarifies that Tesla's current system, along with the new features undergoing testing, operates strictly as a Level 2 system.
Under the industry standards set by SAE International, a Level 2 classification means the vehicle only automates two primary functions, such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping. This requires a human driver to remain fully engaged and in control at all times. Despite Musk's bold promises and the premium price tag of the FSD package, Tesla's technology remains an advanced driver assistance system rather than a true autonomous driving solution.