Following its successful debut in North America, Tesla is expanding the reach of its powerful Grok AI assistant to the Southern Hemisphere. As outlined in the release notes for software update 2025.2.6.1, Tesla has commenced the rollout of Grok with Navigation Commands to owners across Australia and New Zealand. This marks a significant step in Tesla’s international expansion of its AI capabilities.
The update transforms Tesla’s navigation system into a more modern experience, utilizing conversational AI to make route and trip planning easier and more intuitive. This development follows last week’s launch of Grok in Europe, highlighting Tesla’s commitment to enhancing driver experience globally.
The Magic of Natural Language Routing
Tesla’s traditional voice commands, which require specific phrasing, are now complemented by Grok’s ability to understand complex, multi-layered requests using everyday language. This AI integration allows Tesla vehicles to seamlessly add, edit, or completely reroute destinations on the fly. Drivers can make specific, context-aware requests such as, “Navigate to the best Thai restaurant near me,” or “Find a Supercharger with a coffee shop nearby.”
By eliminating the need to fumble with a touchscreen or phone while driving, Grok enhances safety and convenience, handling the heavy lifting of figuring out destinations and instantly routing the vehicle accordingly.
Who Gets Grok?
Despite the excitement surrounding Grok’s capabilities, it is not available to the entire Tesla fleet. The AI assistant is accessible for vehicles equipped with the AMD infotainment system (MCU3), as older models with the legacy Intel Atom processor lack the necessary computing power to run Grok. Tesla is reportedly working on making Grok compatible with Intel-based vehicles, but no updates have been provided since last summer.
To utilize Grok, vehicles must have the software update 2025.2.6, which is currently rolling out in the region. Additionally, users need to subscribe to Premium Connectivity or connect their vehicle to a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
Expansion Continues
The rollout in Australia and New Zealand is the latest step in Tesla’s rapid expansion of Grok. The company is diligently working to integrate xAI’s conversational AI into vehicles, with future capabilities expected to include precise parking instructions.
While Grok’s rollout is anticipated to eventually cover all of Tesla’s official service regions, China remains an exception due to data privacy regulations. Chinese Tesla owners are instead receiving a localized Smart Assistant, featuring the “Hey, Tesla” wake word.
FSD Subscriptions: A European Perspective
Meanwhile, Tesla owners in Europe have been eagerly awaiting the full capabilities of Full Self-Driving (FSD). A recent discovery on Tesla’s website suggests that a subscription model for FSD might soon be available in Europe, offering a more flexible payment option.
Users spotted a “Subscription Price Hook” in the source code of Tesla’s Netherlands website, hinting at a potential €99 monthly subscription. Although this price may be a placeholder, it aligns with the $99 monthly fee in the U.S., indicating Tesla’s readiness for a European launch once regulatory approvals are secured.
FSD in Europe: What’s the Hold-Up?
Tesla has been working to get FSD approved for European roads, aiming for a launch by February 2026. This timeline is tied to Tesla’s collaboration with the Dutch vehicle authority (RDW), which could serve as a gateway for broader European approval. Despite these efforts, FSD has yet to receive regulatory approval in the Netherlands or elsewhere in the EU.
To build anticipation and demonstrate the system’s safety, Tesla launched an FSD ride-along program in cities like Hamburg, Berlin, and Amsterdam last year. These demos have allowed Europeans to experience the evolving capabilities of the system firsthand.
One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription
The shift towards a subscription model follows a policy change in North America, where Tesla discontinued the one-time purchase option for FSD. Europe still offers this option, but it is likely to follow the subscription-only model soon, as seen in Australia.
The discovery of subscription hooks on Tesla’s website suggests that the company is prepared to activate this option as soon as regulatory conditions allow. For many owners, a monthly fee is more manageable than a large upfront cost, especially for a feature still in “supervised” mode.
Tesla’s $60K Cybertruck: Interior Revealed
In other Tesla news, the company has unveiled the most affordable version of its electric pickup, the $59,990 Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Cybertruck. This model represents a $20,000 price drop from the Premium trim, with a focus on utility rather than luxury.
Real-world photos shared by Tesla’s lead Cybertruck engineer, Wes Morrill, reveal a more utilitarian “work truck” vibe for this base model. Key features include a powered tonneau cover, a 6’ x 4’ composite bed, and essential Powershare capability. The truck maintains high performance with a 4.1-second 0-60 mph time and 325 miles of range, though it swaps the expensive air suspension for coil springs with adaptive damping.
Tactical Grey Interior
The interior reflects cost-cutting measures, featuring a “tactical grey” trim for seats, dashboard, and door panels. Notable changes include the removal of premium vegan leather, cooling for front seats, and the rear entertainment screen. The audio system has been simplified, and the ambient lighting removed, creating a vehicle focused on practicality for contractors.
Elon Musk has confirmed that the $59,990 price is a limited-time offer, available for only 10 days. This suggests that while the truck might remain in the lineup, its price could increase based on demand.
Whether you’re a contractor seeking a mobile power station or someone valuing performance over luxury, this sub-$60k Cybertruck offers a compelling value proposition.
