New York, Jan 15, 2026, 10:16 EST — Regular session
- Tesla shares edged up roughly 0.6% in early trading, following strength in major tech stocks.
- CEO Elon Musk announced Tesla will end one-time purchases of its Full Self-Driving software after Feb. 14, shifting exclusively to a subscription model.
- Tesla has also agreed to mediation with the U.S. EEOC over a racism lawsuit linked to its Fremont, California factory.
Tesla shares climbed Thursday following CEO Elon Musk’s announcement that the company plans to eliminate the one-time purchase option for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software next month, switching buyers exclusively to a subscription model.
This shift is key as investors now see Tesla more as a software and services company than just an automaker, especially with its quarterly results due later this month. Subscription income tends to be more stable than one-time sales, but it also raises sharper scrutiny on Tesla’s safety and self-driving promises.
Musk announced on X that “Tesla will stop selling FSD after Feb 14,” noting it “will only be available as a monthly subscription thereafter.” Electrek
In the U.S., Tesla offers FSD (Supervised) for a one-time fee of $8,000 or a subscription at $99 per month, according to Reuters. The system assists drivers but doesn’t make the vehicle fully autonomous, demanding that drivers remain alert and ready to take control.
U.S. auto safety officials have zeroed in on Tesla’s driver-assistance tech. Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into 2.88 million Teslas fitted with Full Self-Driving (FSD), following reports of crashes and traffic violations, Reuters reported.
Skeptics pounced on the pricing change as an implicit reset. GLJ Research analyst Gordon Johnson called the whole narrative “retired,” saying the shift to subscription-only damages the notion of FSD as an “appreciating asset.” TipRanks
Tesla isn’t the only automaker pushing software subscriptions anymore. Rivian will offer its Autonomy+ system for a one-time $2,500 charge or $49.99 monthly, according to MotorTrend. Meanwhile, established carmakers have broadened their paid driver-assistance options.
In a parallel development, Tesla has agreed to mediation with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over allegations of racial harassment at its Fremont facility. The EEOC indicated talks might kick off in March or April. Should those negotiations break down, both parties must submit their plans for next steps to the judge by June 17.
Tesla’s upcoming earnings report is the next big event to watch. The company will release its fourth-quarter 2025 results after the market closes on Jan. 28, with a management Q&A webcast scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Eastern.
Investors are keen for details on demand, pricing, and margins, with a close eye on how fast subscription sign-ups might offset traditional upfront software sales. Attention will also focus on Tesla’s approach to regulatory pressure concerning its driver-assistance systems.
Tesla reported delivering 418,227 vehicles in the fourth quarter while producing 434,358. The company also hit a record with energy-storage deployments reaching 14.2 GWh.
The shift to subscriptions isn’t without risk. It might accelerate $8,000 purchases into next month, creating a dip afterward. Plus, ongoing regulatory scrutiny or new setbacks could dampen customer interest.
On the broader tape, the Invesco QQQ climbed roughly 0.9%, with the SPDR S&P 500 ETF adding around 0.5%. Meanwhile, electric vehicle rivals Rivian and Lucid slipped lower.
Traders have marked two key dates for Tesla: Jan. 28, when the company will release its results and guidance, and Feb. 14, the deadline to purchase FSD outright in the U.S.
