Elon Musk's Tesla posts steepest sales decline in over a decade as EV demand slumps

Core Insights - Tesla has initiated production of a more affordable model and anticipates volume production in the latter half of the year [1] - The company experienced a significant quarterly revenue decline of 12%, marking the steepest drop in over a decade, attributed to intense competition from lower-priced electric vehicles and backlash against CEO Elon Musk's political views [1][4][5] Revenue Performance - Revenue for the April-June quarter decreased to $22.5 billion from $25.5 billion in the same period last year, falling short of analysts' expectations of $22.74 billion [2] - This marks the second consecutive quarterly revenue drop, despite the launch of a refreshed version of the Model Y SUV, which was anticipated to boost demand [3] Strategic Initiatives - A significant portion of Tesla's valuation is reliant on its robotaxi service, which began a small trial in Austin, Texas, last month, and the development of humanoid robots [3] - Concerns are rising regarding Musk's ability to focus on Tesla amidst his political engagements, including the formation of a new political party [5][6] Executive Changes - The company is facing challenges due to high-profile executive departures, including a key confidant of Musk who managed sales and manufacturing in North America and Europe [6]