TechCrunch Mobility: The great Tesla rebranding

Core Insights - Tesla is attempting to redefine itself beyond just an electric vehicle manufacturer, positioning itself as a sustainable energy and AI company [1][2] Financial Performance - In 2025, Tesla generated $94.8 billion in revenue, with $69.5 billion from EV sales and leasing, and $25 billion from energy generation and services [3] - Tesla's profits in 2025 were 46% lower year-over-year, reflecting a decline in EV sales impacting the overall financial health [3] Strategic Shifts - Tesla is increasing its capital expenditures to $20 billion in 2026, which will lead to negative cash flow as the company invests heavily in growth initiatives [4] - The production of the Model S and Model X is being discontinued, which represents about 2% of Tesla's sales volume, marking a significant shift in the company's product lineup [5] Future Plans - Tesla plans to replace the production void left by the discontinued models with Optimus humanoid robots and aims to expand its robotaxi operations in 2026 [6] - A notable investment of $2 billion into xAI is planned, indicating a closer alignment between Tesla and Musk's AI ventures, with potential discussions of merging Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI [7]