Tesla Launches Holiday Gifting of FSD Trials to Boost Adoption
UPDATE: Tesla has just announced an innovative gifting feature for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) trials, set to launch before Christmas 2025. This exciting initiative allows current Tesla owners to gift a 30-day trial of FSD (Supervised) to friends and family, aiming to accelerate the adoption of its cutting-edge autonomous driving technology.
This move comes at a crucial time. As competition in the electric vehicle market intensifies, the gifting program could significantly boost Tesla’s subscription revenue. Tesla executive Raj Jegannathan confirmed the timeline, stating, “We’re excited to ship this feature before the holidays, making a great gift for owners just in time for Christmas.”
The gifting feature integrates seamlessly with the Tesla app, enabling users to send trial subscriptions directly. This marks a shift from previous promotional tactics, focusing on peer-to-peer sharing that could generate a viral effect among Tesla enthusiasts. Earlier this year, Tesla had already offered a free one-month trial of FSD to U.S. customers, enhancing engagement but now transitioning to a more socially-driven model.
Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) is available via subscription or one-time purchase, with the monthly price set at $99. The 30-day trial serves as a key tool for showcasing FSD’s capabilities, which are detailed on the official Tesla Support page, highlighting eligibility for both new and existing owners with compatible vehicles.
The push for FSD adoption is critical, especially given recent scrutiny over the system’s performance. A September 2025 report from Forbes raised alarms about FSD’s ability to respond to street signs, while Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk continues to champion the AI-enabled technology as vital for the company’s future.
As Tesla enhances its software updates, excitement builds around features like the recently reintroduced “Mad Max” mode, which allows for aggressive driving recoveries. Users on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), have expressed enthusiasm for both past promotions and the upcoming gifting initiative, underscoring a community eager to share Tesla’s advanced technology.
This gifting mechanism could revolutionize Tesla’s market presence. Analysts predict that it will allow owners to gift subscriptions directly, expanding the user base without hefty marketing expenses. With the holiday season approaching, Tesla is strategically leveraging seasonal gifting trends, similar to its successful 2020 campaign that provided three months of free FSD.
However, Tesla’s FSD remains under regulatory scrutiny. The system’s “Supervised” designation necessitates driver attention, as per Tesla’s guidelines, and recent investigations into FSD’s safety highlight ongoing challenges. While Musk defends the technology, critics argue for more stringent oversight. The gifting program must ensure recipients understand the supervised nature of the trials to prevent misuse.
Looking ahead, this initiative may pave the way for broader access to FSD, especially as competitors like Waymo make strides in the autonomous driving arena. The community’s high engagement on social media bodes well for the program, which could set a precedent for subscription-based autonomy in the automotive industry.
In summary, Tesla’s holiday gifting feature for FSD trials stands to not only enhance user engagement but also democratize access to revolutionary technology at a time when the industry is rapidly evolving.
