**Tesla CEO Elon Musk Discusses Postponement of Robotaxi Event and Plans for New Affordable Vehicle**
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and other executives recently discussed the postponement of the company’s “robotaxi” event to October and its plans for production of a new, more affordable vehicle that could start next year. The electric vehicle maker reported disappointing second-quarter earnings, which sent its shares lower in late trading.
**Robotaxi Event Delayed to Oct. 10**
Musk confirmed reports that the planned date for Tesla’s robotaxi event had been delayed from August to October, with a new date set for Oct. 10. Originally scheduled for Aug. 8, the event was postponed due to an important design change. Musk mentioned that it was unclear when the vehicles would be on the roads, citing the timeline of the development of the company’s self-driving software.
During the call, Musk discussed plans for an “Airbnb on wheels,” where robotaxis would be split between a Tesla-owned fleet that can be ordered through the Tesla app and consumer-owned Tesla vehicles that could provide instant scale. Tesla owners would be able to allow their cars to give rides to other customers and then call them back, with Tesla taking a portion of the revenue generated by those rides.
**More Affordable Model Likely for First Half of 2025**
Musk mentioned that Tesla is still working on developing a more affordable model that could potentially begin production in the first half of next year. Analysts have estimated that roughly half of the car-buying market exists below $30,000, and a lower-cost model could make Tesla more competitive with Chinese manufacturers already producing cars below that price point.
**’Optimus’ Robot to be Used in Tesla Factories in 2025, Sell to Other Factories in 2026**
After a post on X helped boost Tesla stock, Musk provided more details about the company’s plans to have Optimus robots performing tasks in Tesla factories next year. The goal is to increase production of these robots in 2026 and sell them to other factories. Musk believes that these robots could become Tesla’s most valuable product, as there is no meaningful limit to the size of the economy for a robot that can perform everyday tasks on command.
**Major Automakers Interested in Licensing Full-Self Driving Technology**
Musk mentioned that a few major legacy automakers have expressed interest in licensing Tesla’s self-driving software. Traditional car makers have announced partnerships with EV manufacturers over the past year, indicating a willingness to collaborate to advance their efforts. However, a licensing agreement would likely take several years to contribute to Tesla’s revenue as legacy automakers would need time to adopt the necessary software and camera technology used by Tesla.
Musk also stated that Tesla is preparing to request regulatory approval for the latest versions of its supervised self-driving software from regulators in Europe and China. He expects these approvals by the end of the year.
In conclusion, Tesla’s recent discussions about the postponement of the robotaxi event and plans for a new affordable vehicle show the company’s commitment to innovation and growth in the electric vehicle market. With Musk at the helm, Tesla continues to push boundaries and explore new opportunities for expansion and development.
