Morgan Stanley Analyst Adam Jonas to Transition to AI Coverage, Departing Autos Role

Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas is stepping away from autos coverage and taking on a new role that includes covering artificial intelligence and humanoid robots. Jonas has covered Tesla and other automotive companies for over a decade and is known for his eye-grabbing calls on Tesla. His analyst reports have had a significant impact on stocks such as Carvana Co., which plunged 40% in 2022 after he pulled his rating.

Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas, renowned for his coverage of the automotive industry and Tesla Inc., is transitioning into a new role that includes analyzing artificial intelligence and humanoid robots. This shift marks a significant change in Jonas's career trajectory, which has been characterized by his influential reports on the automotive sector.

Jonas, who has been with Morgan Stanley since graduating from college, has been a leading voice in the automotive industry for nearly three decades. His tenure has seen him cover a wide range of companies, including General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Lear Corp., Visteon Corp., BorgWarner Inc., Avis Budget Group Inc., and Hertz Global Holdings Inc. [1] However, it was his coverage of Tesla that often garnered the most attention, with his bullish calls on the company significantly impacting its market value.

Notably, Jonas's recommendation of Tesla as a top pick in the U.S. autos sector led to a nearly 6% increase in the company's stock price, adding $39 billion to its market value. Additionally, his analysis of Tesla's potential to combine with SpaceX and his warnings about Elon Musk's attention being stretched thin between the two companies have been widely discussed in the financial community. [2]

Jonas's influence extends beyond Tesla. In 2022, Carvana Co. saw its stock plunge nearly 40% after he pulled his rating, suggesting the stock could be worth as little as $1. The stock rebounded and later won back a bullish recommendation from Jonas. [1]

With this new role, Jonas will focus on a broader theme of artificial intelligence, including autonomous vehicles (AVs), electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOLs), space exploration, and humanoid robots. This shift reflects the evolving landscape of the financial markets and the increasing importance of AI and robotics in various industries. [2]

The internal memo obtained by Bloomberg and CNBC confirms Jonas's move, indicating that his new role will leverage his extensive network and expertise in the automotive sector to provide insights into the burgeoning fields of AI and humanoid robots. [1][2]

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-04/morgan-stanley-s-adam-jonas-to-step-away-from-autos-coverage
[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/04/noted-tesla-analyst-adam-jonas-moving-into-new-role-at-morgan-stanley.html