Tesla robotaxi to debut this August

TESLA CEO Elon Musk has taken to his social media site X (formerly Twitter) to announce the debut of his long-awaited robotaxi, now expected to be unveiled on August 8.

First pitched to investors in 2019, the fully autonomous vehicle has long been key to Tesla’s high valuation.

The announcement coming just weeks after the American-based company announced the latest version of its Full Self-Driving driver-assistance technology to customers.

Tesla has said that its next-generation vehicle platform will underpin both a cheaper EV model and the dedicated robotaxi, though it has yet to unveil prototypes of either. Mr Musk’s social media announcement indicates that the robotaxi is taking priority over the cheaper EV.

Reuters reported this week that Tesla has called off plans for its less expensive vehicle and was shifting resources to production of the robotaxi. Mr Musk responded by saying the outlet is “lying (again)”, without specifying inaccuracies.

The article stated that the inexpensive Tesla, likely badged as the Model 2, has been cancelled in favour of investment in the robotaxi. “Elon’s directive is to go all robotaxi,” one source told Reuters.

Further, it said the decision – supported by three sources close to the project – represents the “abandonment of a longstanding goal” that was to use Tesla profits to finance a low-cost electric family car.

The reversal of the low-cost EV comes as Tesla faces intensifying competition, particularly from Chinese EV entrants. Tesla produced 46,561 vehicles in the first quarter of 2024, far fewer than it delivered.

GoAuto understands the company has since cut prices of its vehicles to move excess stock.

This week’s news comes just days after Hyundai announced the successful trial of its Ioniq 5 robotaxi in the United States – and the same week American new car buyers told market intelligence firm Caliber that Mr Musk’s persona had negatively impacted Tesla’s consideration score.

Citing the “polarising persona” of chief executive officer Elon Musk as the primary reason for Tesla’s fall from grace, the data shows a February 2024 consideration score of just 31 per cent – less than half of its November 2021 high of 70 per cent.

The February score marks an eight per cent fall from the month prior, indicating what the Caliber report refers to as strong associations between Tesla’s reputation and that of Mr Musk.