Tesla and Rivian push software updates as cars age like smartphones
Embed this grade
Unlock the full scoreboard
Letter grade, factuality, lean, and rationales — free with registration. No card required.
See grades free How grading works
Already have an account? Sign in. The full report below is free to read.
Disagree with this grade or political lean?
Flagging is open to every reader with a free account. Sign in or create one to dispute this report.
Topics in this report
Summary
CNBC segment examines software-defined vehicles from Tesla, Rivian, Lucid and Chinese makers. It highlights OTA updates that add features or fix issues remotely and contrasts this with traditional cars. Experts discuss redefining brand loyalty while noting hardware limits and maintenance challenges. Average US vehicle age is cited near 13 years. Segment covers Tesla FSD hardware promises versus later limitations, Rivian feature additions, legacy automaker shifts, and right-to-repair issues.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast accurately captures the tension between software longevity promises and hardware constraints, backed by direct quotes and examples like the Model 3 braking update. Viewers may miss the full scale of potential HW3 upgrades needed or ongoing lawsuits. Framing is neutral and explanatory rather than alarmist. Right-to-repair discussion adds useful context but lacks detail on current state laws. Overall, strong sourcing from named industry figures and data keeps claims grounded.
Key Moments
Tesla in 2016 said all vehicles produced then had hardware for full self-driving.
Confirmed by contemporaneous Tesla statements and reporting.
By 2026, Musk stated HW3 does not have capability for unsupervised FSD due to memory bandwidth limits.
Direct quote from Q1 2026 earnings call reported across multiple outlets; Tesla offering upgrades or trade-ins.
Tesla Model 3 braking improved via OTA update after Consumer Reports test, securing recommendation.
2018 Consumer Reports retest showed ~19-foot improvement post-update.
Average age of vehicles on US roads is nearly 13 years.
S&P Global Mobility data showed 12.8 years in 2025 with projections near 13 in 2026.
Rivian uses updates to add drive modes, improve ride quality, and introduce AI assistant.
2026 software releases include Rivian Assistant for vehicle controls and drive mode changes.