Tesla Stock Rises on Robotaxi Hopes Amid Expected Second Yearly Sales Drop

Tech

Tesla Stock Rises on Robotaxi Hopes Amid Expected Second Yearly Sales Drop

Tesla‘s stock surged over 60% in late 2024 despite an 11% sales drop to 440,900 vehicles in Q4, driven by Elon Musk’s robotaxi and AI hype rather than actual car deliveries. Investors bet on future autonomy tech amid weakening demand.

• Tesla deliveries fell 11% year-over-year in Q4 2024 to 440,900 units.
• Stock rose due to robotaxi unveilings and Full Self-Driving promises, not sales growth.
• Analysts forecast BYD outselling Tesla globally for fifth straight quarter, with 15% drop expected overall.

Why Is Tesla Stock Rising Despite Sales Decline？

Tesla stock climbed significantly in the second half of 2024, adding over $915 billion in market value by December, despite declining vehicle deliveries. This surge stemmed from investor enthusiasm for Elon Musks vision of robotaxis and artificial intelligence, overshadowing weak sales figures expected at 440,900 units for Q4, down 11% from the prior year. Company forecasts even point to a 15% overall annual drop.

How Did Elon Musk‘s Focus on Robotaxis Impact Tesla’s Performance？

Tesla faced production halts in Q3 2024 during Model Y upgrades across factories, contributing to sluggish sales. Musks political engagements, including support for Donald Trump followed by public disputes over tariffs, led to a 45% stock drop earlier in the year. A pivot to robotaxis reversed this: an invite-only service launched in Austin in June, though early incidents involved traffic violations despite safety drivers. By September, the board proposed up to $1 trillion in compensation for Musk tied to robotaxi milestones. CFRA analyst Garrett Nelson noted investors prioritize long-term potential over near-term financial headwinds.