The Fisker Ocean, a vehicle that initially held great promise with its Toyota Highlander-sized frame, 350 miles of range, and a base price below $40,000, made its debut in American showrooms. It combined a well-appointed design with the allure of cutting-edge technology. However, as time passed, a series of challenges emerged.

Unraveling the Fisker Ocean's Parts Fallout

Initial Success and Subsequent Struggles

After selling more than 7,000 units in the U.S., the Fisker Ocean faced a series of issues. Faulty technical releases, reported financial mismanagement, and delivery problems plagued the vehicle. This led to the implementation of bankruptcy plans, which received federal approval in October. For collision shops and customers in need of repairs, dealing with the aftermath has been a difficult journey. 1: The initial success of the Fisker Ocean was evident with its mass-market appeal. Customers were drawn to its features and price point. But as problems started to surface, it became clear that the journey was far from smooth. The vehicle, which once seemed like a game-changer, was now facing a crisis. 2: The impact of these issues was felt across the board. From the inability to turn on the car to locked doors and unresponsive key fobs, Ocean drivers faced numerous problems. With Fisker in bankruptcy, there was no clear way to address these issues or get the necessary repairs done.

The Parts Distribution Nightmare

Since the bankruptcy, parts distribution has been a major headache. Windshields, for example, are virtually unavailable. Only 36 windshields were released post-Chapter 11, with 18 going to the public and 18 to American Lease. Collision shops with three Oceans awaiting window repairs have no replacement timeline. 1: Customers have turned to alternative sources like eBay as dealer parts ran out. This has driven up prices, with bumpers listed for up to $2,800 and hoods for $1,800. Even a damaged hood can cost $500 plus a $375 delivery fee. The scarcity of parts has created a difficult situation for both shops and owners. 2: Not all parts require full replacement, as pointed out by Ed Rios. The bumpers, fenders, and rear quarter panels of the vehicle are made of plastic, and refurbishing them can save money. However, ADAS cameras and radars, which are mostly mounted on bumpers, need to be recalibrated using Fisker's proprietary FAST tool, which is currently in short supply.

The Knowledge Gap

Fisker struggled to disseminate critical vehicle maintenance information to certified parts repairers. In some cases, the maintenance playbook was not completed before the Chapter 11 filing, leaving repairers in the dark. Rios also noted that the current iterations of the body repair manual do not include specifications for frame and jig machines. 1: This lack of information has created a knowledge gap among repairers, making it difficult for them to properly make certain repairs. The cars were not built with service in mind, as one technician at an FOA-appointed shop pointed out. This has added to the challenges faced by the repair industry. 2: Without the necessary information, repairers are left to figure things out on their own, which can lead to mistakes and delays. It is essential for Fisker to address this knowledge gap and provide repairers with the tools and information they need to do their jobs effectively.

The Tsunami Forms

Fisker owners banded together to form Tsunami Automotive, a for-profit company that is working to secure parts for Ocean owners. The company employs four key strategies to achieve this goal. 1: It salvages parts from closed Fisker dealerships and U.S. locations, partners with refurbishing companies to create molds for remanufacturing, collaborates with original parts manufacturers, and plans to leverage California's right to repair laws. These efforts are aimed at creating a steady pipeline of vehicle parts. 2: Tsunami is also in talks with American Lease to build more robust parts supplies. The company has located 77 windshields in an insurance warehouse in Europe and is optimistic about the future. With these strategies in place, Tsunami hopes to restore insurers' confidence in the Fisker Ocean.

Regional Market Impact

Most Ocean deliveries occurred on the West Coast, with four states - California, Arizona, Washington, and Nevada - accounting for more than 50% of the market share. California alone represented about 33%. 1: This regional concentration has added to the challenges faced by the repair industry. With a large number of Oceans in these states, the demand for parts is high, but the supply is limited. It is crucial for Tsunami and FOA to focus on these regions and ensure that parts are available. 2: Rios hopes that these customers will continue to build supportive networks like the FOA. By working together, they can put pressure on Fisker and the relevant authorities to address the parts issues and restore the reputation of the Fisker Ocean.

December 7, 2024, by Karan Singh. Tesla has recently rolled out FSD V13 to early access testers, and we are continuously uncovering more of its remarkable features. FSD V13.2 brings significant new elements such as starting FSD from park, autoparking at the destination, and the ability to reverse. Alongside these major enhancements, there are also numerous smaller improvements.

Experience the Evolution of Tesla's FSD with V13

FSD V13: A Leap in Autonomous Driving

Tesla's FSD V13 marks a significant milestone in autonomous driving. It not only offers advanced features like starting and parking autonomously but also showcases enhanced awareness of the vehicle's size and the surrounding objects. This comprehensive capability allows FSD to navigate through extremely tight spaces with ease, making multiple-point turns when needed. It's a testament to Tesla's continuous innovation in the field of autonomous driving.

FSD V13's ability to give more space to other vehicles when they get too close is a crucial aspect. This natural movement, similar to what humans do, provides a sense of safety not only to the vehicle occupants but also to other drivers on the road. It acts as a buffer zone, minimizing the risk of mishaps caused by sudden or harsh maneuvers.

Moreover, the increased speed at which FSD V13 makes decisions compared to its predecessors gives it an edge in handling emergency situations. Those extra moments can make a significant difference in ensuring the safety of everyone on the road.

FSD Gives Space When Being Passed

The thoughtful touches in FSD's behavior are truly remarkable. For instance, when a car approaches unexpectedly, FSD reacts appropriately, providing an added layer of safety. Tesla's collection of audio data to train its AI on audio input is another significant step. Soon, the vehicle will be able to react to various sounds, including vehicle honks and emergency vehicles, and even honk itself. This makes FSD more human-like and predictable, enhancing safety for both FSD users and other road users.

As FSD becomes more human, it learns good defensive driving habits. These small changes propagate throughout the entire model through Tesla's End-to-End AI training. This continuous learning process ensures that FSD continues to drive safely, moving closer to the goal of achieving 99.999% safety.

The ability of FSD V13 to reverse and handle tight spaces is especially important for robotaxis and fully autonomous vehicles. It demonstrates Tesla's commitment to making their autonomous systems capable of handling a wide range of situations without human intervention.

Tight Spaces: FSD's Expertise

FSD V13's ability to navigate tight spaces is truly impressive. In the video from WholeMarsBlog, we can see how FSD makes effective turns to get out of relatively tight locations. This showcases the vehicle's ability to assess the space and make the necessary maneuvers accurately.

As we look forward to seeing FSD V13 in more challenging situations, it becomes evident that Tesla is constantly pushing the boundaries of autonomous driving. The early access testers are already witnessing the benefits of this latest version, and we hope to see its extended availability to more HW4 users in the coming months.

With each update, Tesla is bringing us closer to a future where autonomous driving is seamless and safe. FSD V13 is a significant step in that direction.

Update 2024.39.10: FSD Supervised 13.2

FSD Supervised 13.2 is installed on 0% of the fleet, with no installs today. The last update was on Dec 7, 7:36 am UTC. While HW3 could potentially see a version of V13 in the future, Tesla is currently focused on HW4. Creating a smaller model for HW3 would be a necessary step in its development.

Tesla's Holiday Update: Hidden Gems

Every Tesla update brings new features, and the Holiday Update is no exception. One of the notable additions is Tesla's new Service History, available through Service Mode. Owners and technicians can now add service records permanently, covering a wide range of tasks from windshield wiper replacements to motor or battery pack swaps.

With the Holiday Update, vehicle owners can also view this information without going into Service Mode. It's a convenient feature that provides easy access to maintenance records.

Tesla App Commands have also seen an improvement. When in close proximity to the vehicle, commands sent via the Tesla app are now executed quicker and more reliably over Bluetooth, without relying on the phone's and vehicle's internet connection. This feature is available for both iPhone and Android and supports most vehicles.

Curvature Assist: Sharper Turns on Autopilot

In certain regions, Tesla has introduced Curvature Assist, a feature that enables the vehicle to perform sharper turns while on Autopilot. When active, the vehicle displays "Curvature Assist Active" in the visualization area, providing an added level of control during turns.

This feature enhances the driving experience and showcases Tesla's attention to detail in optimizing Autopilot's performance.

Autopilot Hardware Version: Easy Identification

With update 2024.38, it is now easier to determine whether your vehicle has Autopilot hardware 3 or hardware 4. The software tab in the vehicle settings clearly shows the FSD hardware version, making it convenient for owners to keep track of their vehicle's capabilities.

WiFi Diagnostics Tool: Improving Connectivity

Tesla's new WiFi Diagnostics tool helps improve the WiFi connection by displaying the connection status and speed, along with some useful tips. Owners can access this tool by going to Control > Wi-Fi and tapping on the blue Diagnostics link.

It provides detailed information about the access point and the vehicle's MAC address, enabling users to troubleshoot connectivity issues more effectively.

Improved Voice Recognition: Understanding Different Accents

Many users have reported improved voice recognition in this update, especially in dialects other than American English. Tesla's voice command system is now better at understanding different accents and performing commands more reliably.

This is a significant improvement that enhances the user experience and makes interacting with the vehicle more intuitive.

Nearby Parking: Making Parking Easier

When viewing details for a Point of Interest on the map, users can now tap on "Nearby Parking" to get directions to nearby parking lots or garages. This feature simplifies the process of finding parking in busy areas and big events.

Lower Volume in Reverse: Enhancing Safety

Tesla has added an option to lower the volume of audio when the vehicle goes into reverse. This new safety feature is located under Controls > Safety and provides an additional layer of protection, especially in noisy environments.

Set Arrival Energy: Planning for the Journey

Owners can now choose the amount of energy they want to arrive with at their destination. Tesla takes this into account when determining charging stops and times, providing a more personalized driving experience.

Adjust Passenger Seat On Screen: Added Convenience

Tesla's new Seats option in the settings allows owners to move the passenger seat forward and backward. This is particularly useful when there is a baby seat behind the passenger seat or when extra room is needed.

Although there are no presets or memory, this feature provides added convenience for owners in adjusting the seat according to their needs.

Vehicle Maintenance Summary: Keeping Track of Service

Owners can now view their vehicle's maintenance history easily. This builds on the recent Maintenance History feature and provides a read-only view for vehicle owners without the need to go into Service Mode.

It includes a variety of maintenance items, allowing owners to stay informed about the service history of their vehicles.

Autopilot Lane Changes in Europe: Enhanced Visibility

In Europe, Tesla has added a new indicator light that shows which automatic lane changes are available. This provides clear visibility to the driver and helps in making more informed decisions during Autopilot usage.