Tesla shares surged 3.10% in pre-market trading as investors shift focus to energy storage and autonomous technology

Tesla shares surged 3.1045% in pre-market trading on Jan. 6, 2026, as investors shifted focus from recent delivery declines to the company’s progress in energy storage and autonomous technology.

The rally reflects a broader revaluation of Tesla as an AI and energy infrastructure play rather than a traditional automaker. Despite reporting 418,227 vehicle deliveries in Q4 2025—missing estimates and marking a 16% annual drop—the energy division set a record with 14.2 gigawatt-hours of battery storage deployed, outpacing automotive margins. Analysts at Wedbush and Stifel highlighted the growing importance of robotaxi and Full Self-Driving (FSD) advancements, with price targets raised to $508 and $475, respectively.

Elon Musk’s confirmation of driverless robotaxi testing in Austin without safety drivers intensified market optimism. Wall Street now values Tesla’s AI and robotics segments at nearly 70% of its total projected worth, eclipsing the 12% attributed to its core automotive business. This shift underscores investor confidence in Tesla’s long-term software-driven revenue potential, despite near-term challenges like U.S. EV tax credit expiration and rising competition from Chinese rivals.

Tesla’s strategic pivot toward AI and energy storage has prompted a significant re-rating of its business model. Investors are increasingly valuing its software and robotics divisions over traditional car sales, as evidenced by recent analyst upgrades and bullish price targets. However, the company must navigate regulatory uncertainties and intensifying competition in the global EV market to sustain this momentum.

With robotaxi trials advancing and FSD gaining regulatory approval in key markets, Tesla’s long-term potential remains intact. The company’s ability to monetize its autonomous driving platform and scale its energy storage solutions will be critical to unlocking its full valuation.