Elon Musk Warns Tesla's $25K Cybercab Will Be 'Agonizingly Slow' At First — Even As He Targets 2M Robotaxis A Year

Core Insights - Tesla is set to begin production of the Cybercab robotaxi in April, aiming for long-term production of 2 million units annually, while also working on the Optimus humanoid robot [2][3] - The production ramp-up for both Cybercab and Optimus is expected to be slow due to the need to manufacture much of the supply chain from scratch [4] - Tesla's recent earnings report indicated a 46% decline in net income year-over-year, marking the smallest profit since the COVID-19 pandemic, as the company shifts focus towards AI, autonomy, and robotics [5] Production Plans - The Cybercab is designed as a two-seat vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals, with an expected cost of around $25,000 [2] - Tesla plans to wind down production of Model S and Model X in the next quarter to repurpose the Fremont factory for Optimus robot manufacturing [6] - The company has initiated robotaxi rides in Austin without safety monitors, advancing its autonomous testing efforts [6] Financial Developments - Tesla anticipates capital expenditures exceeding $20 billion this year, driven by initiatives in AI and expanded manufacturing [5] - The company launched an autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin in June, currently operating a limited number of Model Y vehicles as part of ongoing testing [3]