Tesla Faces 13.5% Sales Decline, CEO Pivots to Autonomous Taxis

Tesla, the electric vehicle giant, is reportedly facing significant internal turmoil as its CEO shifts focus away from traditional car manufacturing. Recent reports indicate that the company is grappling with a substantial decline in vehicle sales, coupled with internal management instability and a lack of new car models. This has led to a shift in the CEO's priorities, with a greater emphasis on autonomous driving taxis and humanoid robots.

The company's second-quarter global vehicle sales have reportedly decreased by 13.5% compared to the same period last year, marking the second consecutive quarter of decline. The first quarter also saw a 13% drop in sales, placing Tesla in one of its most challenging sales environments to date. The scarcity of new car models has exacerbated the sales pressure, while internal high-level management changes and external market pressures have further complicated the situation.

Despite the challenges, the CEO remains optimistic about the company's future. In a recent statement, the CEO encouraged investors to look beyond the current obstacles and focus on the long-term vision of autonomous driving taxis and humanoid robots. The CEO believes that these technologies have the potential to significantly increase the company's market value, with estimates suggesting that the autonomous driving taxi service alone could add 5 trillion to 10 trillion dollars to the company's valuation.

However, the shift in focus has raised concerns among some analysts and investors. The company's core business, which accounts for approximately 75% of its revenue, is facing significant headwinds. Analysts estimate that the value of the company's car business is around 50 to 100 dollars per share, which is significantly lower than the current stock price of around 300 dollars per share. This discrepancy highlights the market's confidence in the CEO's vision, but also underscores the risks associated with relying on unproven technologies.

In addition to the challenges in the car business, the company is also facing internal management instability. Several high-level executives have recently left the company, including the head of the Optimus humanoid robot project and the vice president of vehicle engineering. These departures have raised questions about the company's ability to execute on its strategic initiatives and maintain its competitive edge in the market.

Despite these challenges, the company remains committed to its long-term vision. The CEO has stated that the company will continue to invest in autonomous driving and humanoid robot technologies, even as it faces short-term headwinds in the car business. The company's ability to navigate these challenges and deliver on its long-term vision will be critical to its success in the years to come.