Tesla's upcoming earnings report is stirring up the tech world! 📈 Investors are gearing up to grill CEO Elon Musk on the company's mysterious robotaxi plans, especially after a recent unveiling left everyone scratching their heads. 🤔 The event was super brief—just 20 minutes—and didn't give folks a chance to ask burning questions, causing Tesla's share price to take a hit. 📉
Many are wondering what's next for Tesla's autonomous vehicles. After all, a big chunk of Tesla's whopping $700 billion valuation is riding on Musk's promise that their Autopilot software will power a fleet of robotaxis. 🚕 Production is supposed to kick off in 2026, with each robotaxi costing less than $30,000. That's a game-changer! But without more details, investors are feeling a bit uneasy. 😬
Adding to the concerns, Musk mentioned that Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software could be operating unsupervised as early as next year in California and Texas. But hold up! 🚦 The U.S. auto safety regulator is investigating 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with FSD after reports of four crashes, including one fatal accident this year. Safety first, right? 🛑
On the bright side, Tesla's cars have clocked over 2.57 billion kilometers using FSD. That's like driving to the moon and back more than 3,000 times! 🌚🚀 Plus, they're offering cool perks like interest-free financing for customers who buy the FSD package with a Model 3 or Model Y. Tempting, huh? 💰
Competition Heats Up 🔥
But it's not all smooth sailing. Tesla is expected to report its first-ever annual drop in deliveries. 😱 Why? Their lineup is getting a bit old, and they're facing stiff competition from cheaper electric cars in China and fresh models from traditional U.S. automakers. Everyone wants a slice of the EV pie! 🥧
Some analysts, like those at Barclays, think Tesla should maybe pump the brakes on the robotaxi hype and focus on nailing down the basics. It's like telling them to walk before they run. 🏃♂️
The upcoming earnings report is also likely to show a dip in profit margins from car sales. Tesla has been offering incentives to lure in buyers, which cuts into profits. Analysts are predicting an automotive gross margin of 14.9%, just a hair above last quarter's 14.6%. Every little bit counts! 💵
To boost sales, Tesla has been slashing prices and offering low-cost financing, especially in China. But results have been mixed. It's a tough market out there! 🌐
All eyes are on Elon Musk as investors await answers. Will he reveal more about the robotaxi plans? Can Tesla navigate the challenges ahead? Stay tuned! 🎬
Reference(s):
Musk to address investor worries on Tesla's robotaxi, earnings outlook
cgtn.com
