Tesla Drops "Full Self-Driving" Name in Europe While Waymo Borrows $5 Billion
Autonomous driving had two telling moments last week. Tesla changed how it markets its driver-assistance software in Europe, and Waymo took on debt for the first time.
Tesla becomes "Tesla Assisted Driving" in Europe
Tesla has started using the name Tesla Assisted Driving on its European websites, dropping the Full Self-Driving label that regulators said could mislead drivers. Germany's transport ministry said Tesla proposed the change during talks about broader European approval. The system can steer, accelerate and brake, but drivers remain legally responsible and must be ready to take over. Tesla's U.S. site still uses Full Self-Driving (Supervised), and an EU-wide decision is expected by December.
Waymo closes a $5 billion term loan
On October 8, Waymo closed a $5 billion term loan, its first debt financing. PIMCO, Blackstone and Sixth Street served as lead lenders, with many other institutions participating and Goldman Sachs as sole lead bookrunner. It follows a $16 billion equity investment earlier this year. Lenders usually want more predictability than venture investors, so the deal suggests robotaxis are starting to look like a real transportation business rather than a research project.
The bigger picture
Regulators are shaping not just whether autonomous features can launch but how they are described, and the money behind fleets is shifting toward institutional debt. Fleets still need vehicles, charging, maintenance depots, mapping, insurance and constant software work, so expansion stays expensive.
Sources: Reuters (Tesla) and Waymo, as summarized by TechStartups weekly roundup (Oct 5-9, 2026).
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