As Tesla produces ventilators for hospitals in the US and continues to roll out touchless deliveries, there are some problems brewing among Canadian buyers. The problem lies with orders delivered without the latest Tesla Autopilot hardware. Specifically, some buyers are reporting that they’ve received Tesla Model 3’s that come equipped with the HW 2.5, rather than the HW 3.0.
There are some deeper problems at play here. For one, Tesla already dealt with a similar issue in China months back. After testifying to the Chinese government, Tesla confirmed that drivers with outdated hardware would receive free upgrades. The problem resulted from an interruption in Tesla’s supply chain due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, with a similar issue cropping up in Canada, Tesla has more damage control ahead of them.
In any case, Tesla managed to rebound in China. The news of frustrated customers quickly faded as the Model 3 was approved for production on Chinese soil. It’s no surprise that Canadian buyers receiving outdated hardware are peeved. Several updates to the Autopilot hardware create a much safer, more reliable autopilot experience. Furthermore, the company already promised that buyers should expect HW 3.0 in the Model 3 going forward. As demonstrated in China, it’s likely that Tesla will rectify the situation for Canadian buyers as well.
