Elon Musk said 2025 could be Tesla's 'most important year.' Here's what's on the agenda.

Core Viewpoint - 2025 is anticipated to be a pivotal year for Tesla, particularly in the realms of autonomous artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, and fully self-driving cars [1][2]. Group 1: Autonomous Technology and Production Goals - Musk believes that 2025 could be viewed as the most important year in Tesla's history, emphasizing the company's leadership in real-world AI [2]. - Tesla aims to produce around 10,000 Optimus robots, although Musk acknowledges this target may be unrealistic, expecting to produce several thousand instead [5]. - The company plans to utilize the Optimus robots internally for various tasks, which will inform future production designs expected to launch in 2026 [5][6]. - Musk envisions a significant ramp-up in production, potentially reaching 100 million units annually if growth continues at a rapid pace [7]. Group 2: Fully Autonomous Vehicles - The rollout of fully self-driving cars is expected in 2025, with unsupervised FSD anticipated to be available in many markets, limited primarily by regulatory issues [8][9]. - Musk asserts that thousands of Teslas are already operating autonomously at the company's California factory, with plans for broader deployment in Austin and California by the end of the year [10]. - The technology for FSD is claimed to be ready, with Musk expressing confidence in delivering on previous promises [10][11]. Group 3: Affordable Vehicle Launch - A more affordable Tesla model, estimated to cost around $25,000, is on track for launch in the first half of 2025, which could help boost sales amid increased competition [11][12]. - The lower-cost vehicle is expected to be built on Tesla's next-generation vehicle platform, sharing production lines with the upcoming Cybercab robotaxi [13]. - Details on the design of the lower-cost vehicle remain unclear, as Tesla does not plan to simply create a version of the Cybercab with traditional driving controls [14].