Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has announced that the highly anticipated robotaxi event previously scheduled for August will now take place in October. Musk shared the news on X, his social media platform, citing a recent design change request for the vehicle’s front end, which will require extra time to perfect.
This development appears to confirm Bloomberg‘s report last week, which stated that the delay will give Tesla the opportunity to build more prototypes. According to the publication, the design team was informed internally that certain elements of the car would need to be reworked. Musk’s comment on X closely mirrors this information, indicating a desire to unveil a refined product.
Earlier this year, Musk announced plans to debut the Tesla Robotaxi on August 8, coinciding with reports that the company was halting development of a budget model, the $25,000 “Model 2.” Musk subsequently denied Reuters‘ report on the matter, accusing the publication of spreading falsehoods without providing any evidence to support his claims.
In the months following this announcement, Tesla underwent significant changes, including layoffs affecting over 10% of its global workforce. The company had employed around 140,000 people at the time. Subsequently, two senior executives departed, and Musk issued a stark warning to remaining staff, emphasizing the need for austerity measures and the importance of adapting to the new economic reality. The CEO’s ominous message, hinting at possible further restructuring, has had a profound impact on the company’s operations.
In recent financial reports, Tesla has reported a notable decline in vehicle production, with deliveries down nearly 7% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The company also produced approximately 15% fewer vehicles in the second quarter of 2024 than in the same quarter in 2023.
