Waymo Could Wreck Tesla’s Most Important Plan

Group 1 - Tesla's stock is currently valued highly despite a 48% drop in unit sales in the EU in October and a decline in market share in the US, although it still leads competitors [1] - In China, Tesla's market share has significantly decreased, raising concerns among investors about the company's future prospects [1] - The focus for Tesla's valuation is on CEO Elon Musk's plans for a fully self-driving car and a robotics business, both of which are still in early development stages [1] Group 2 - The robotaxi and fully self-driving car sector is becoming increasingly competitive, with strong players emerging from both China and the US, particularly Alphabet's Waymo [2] - Waymo has been operational since 2009, accumulating millions of miles and forming partnerships with over 100 communities, which enhances its market position [3] - Waymo's partnership with Uber could potentially allow its technology to be implemented in cities across the US and internationally, giving it a strategic advantage over Tesla [3][4] Group 3 - Unlike Tesla, which operates a manufacturing business, Waymo can partner with any car manufacturer globally, allowing for broader market penetration [4] - Tesla's success in the self-driving car race is crucial for maintaining its market valuation, while Waymo's success is not as critical to Alphabet's future, positioning Waymo as a significant competitor to Tesla [4]