Tesla Finally Speaks to HW3 Owners, Promising They Haven’t Been Forgotten

Today I want to talk about something that matters to a lot of Tesla owners out there — especially those with Hardware 3. If you’ve got one of these cars, you’ve probably felt caught in the middle lately. Tesla has moved on to the newer Hardware 4 system, and even talks about an upcoming version called AI5, but you’re still driving with the tech that once powered Tesla’s most advanced Full Self-Driving cars. Naturally, people have been asking, “What about us?”

Recently, Tesla finally spoke up and said, “We haven’t forgotten you.” They promised to keep supporting HW3 cars, saying those customers are important. They also revealed that a special version of the Full Self-Driving system called version 14 Lite is coming next year, designed specifically to work better with the older computers. That’s good news, especially if you were starting to feel left behind. Tesla is also opening more trade-in options for HW3 owners who might want to move up to a car with the newer hardware.

The comments came from Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja, who said that he is also impacted by the HW3 delays because his daily commuter is a HW3 vehicle (per Teslarati).

He said:

“We have not completely given up on HW3. These customers are very important. They are early adopters. We will definitely take care of you guys.”

Now, why does all this matter? Because Tesla isn’t just selling cars — it’s selling the promise of software that keeps improving over time. If you bought into that dream early, you expect your car to keep getting smarter, not just older. So when Tesla acknowledges HW3 owners, it’s not just about technology; it’s about trust. The company has to balance innovation with keeping its early supporters happy.

But there’s another side to the story. “Version 14 Lite” sounds promising, but that “Lite” word also tells you something — it won’t have everything the newer HW4 cars will get. HW3 simply doesn’t have the same power or sensors, so Tesla can only do so much with software alone. That means HW3 owners will probably see fewer new features and maybe a slower pace of updates. For some people, that’s fine. For others who want to stay at the bleeding edge, it might feel like it’s time to trade in.

Still, there are some positives here. First, Tesla publicly reassured HW3 owners — that matters. Second, the update means you’ll continue to get improvements without needing a hardware change right away. And third, Tesla offering more trade-in opportunities gives you a clear path if you decide to upgrade. It’s not perfect, but it’s movement in the right direction.

Personally, I think Tesla handled this pretty well. They didn’t abandon HW3 owners, and they didn’t promise the impossible either. They found a middle ground. That’s smart business, and it shows they’re still learning how to manage the challenges of building cars that are as much about computers as they are about engines and wheels.

If you own a Tesla with HW3, I’d say relax a little. You’re still part of the company’s plans. Your car will keep improving, just maybe not at the same pace as the newest models. And if you ever decide to move up to an HW4 vehicle, Tesla seems ready to help you make that jump.

So the takeaway today is this: Tesla isn’t leaving anyone behind, but it’s also not slowing down for anyone either. That’s the balance every tech company faces, especially when their products roll on four wheels. Stay tuned, because how Tesla manages this next year will show a lot about its future, and about what it means to own a car that updates itself. Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you in the next one.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.