Good questions! I think only Tesla can answer these. Maybe in the future they will start charging for new features that they can provide via just software. There are numerous such features they have added, but most are just improvements to some existing feature or games to play while sitting in the car. They did add the sentry mode (security system) right after lots of model 3 break ins in the Bay area and you couldn’t get replacement small rear window glass. They also added “dog mode” to keep your pet cool when left in the car so people wouldn’t smash windows. There is an entire 3rd party web site with hundreds of suggestions (some whacky, some good) and Tesla has implemented dozens of them.
I’ve never had a car where new features are provided for free before. Ever.
It really doesn’t cost them much to add new stuff when they send out an update with bug fixes so they just do it. Might be cheaper to have fewer variations of software to test.
Might be why some customers like their cars.
I think some features evolved over time and would not have ever been thought of before they started shipping. For example, the car wash mode. Seems silly, but it does several things for you that, as a driver you might not think of as you enter a commercial car wash. It stops the automatic wipers from coming on, but also locks the charging port so that high water pressure doesn’t open it. It makes sure all windows are fully closed and disables the sentry mode. It also turns off the automatic door lock if you get out and walk away with the key (your phone or fob)
Was the car rushed to market by not having this? I can’t say.
Mike