Benzingaยท2025-09-20 07:13Core Insights - Tesla Inc. has received approval to test self-driving robotaxi cars in Arizona, marking a significant step in its ride-hailing service rollout across the U.S. [1][2] - The approval follows Tesla's initial robotaxi trials in Austin, Texas, where approximately a dozen vehicles were tested with safety monitors [3]. - Tesla aims to launch its autonomous ride-hailing services to reach about half of the U.S. population by the end of 2025 [3]. Regulatory Environment - The Arizona Department of Transportation confirmed the approval for testing in the Phoenix Metro area, with safety drivers on board [2]. - Recent announcements from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicate that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will ease regulations on autonomous driving, benefiting Tesla's ambitions [4]. - However, there are mixed signals regarding regulation, as some officials are calling for stricter oversight of autonomous driving [4][5]. Competitive Landscape - Tesla faces increasing competition in the robotaxi market from established players such as Waymo (Alphabet Inc.) and Zoox (Amazon.com Inc.) [5]. - The stock price of Tesla closed at $426.07, reflecting a 2.21% increase [5]. Performance Metrics - Tesla's Momentum score is 91.28 and its Growth score is 75.57, indicating a positive price trend across short, medium, and long-term periods [6].