Core Points - Waymo plans to introduce a fleet of autonomous vehicles in New York City starting next month, having applied for a permit to test a small fleet in Manhattan with a trained specialist behind the wheel [1][2] - The company aims for a future where it can operate fully autonomous vehicles without human supervision, pushing for changes in New York state law to facilitate this [3] - Waymo currently operates 1,500 fully-electric autonomous cars across major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, providing over 250,000 fully autonomous paid trips each week [3][8] Challenges - New York City presents unique challenges for autonomous driving, including jaywalkers, cyclists, horse-drawn carriages, and frequent construction work, which necessitates manual driving in Manhattan while awaiting permit approval [4] - The company has faced operational complications, including a recent halt of its self-driving service in downtown Los Angeles due to protests and a recall of its fleet over a software glitch that increased crash risks [9][10]

I mean, look, that was the overhang, right. I mean, you don't want to be about to turn into an enemy, especially when they're in the Oval Office. But I think it was a smart move.I mean, obviously, hotheads things got a little wild. But I continue to believe Trump and Musk will be friends again. And Trump's a supporter of Tesla when it comes to ultimately autonomous vision.And that continues to be clear on Robotaxi. Yeah, let's go to Robotaxi. Dan, can you tell us kind of the timing around it, the market opp ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Innoviz is positioned as a leader in the automotive LIDAR space with a focus on both level three and level four applications, indicating a strategic shift to capture a larger market share [10][11] - The company anticipates significant growth in production capacity, with plans to ramp up operations in collaboration with contract manufacturer Fabrinet [41][42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Innoviz has transitioned from focusing solely on level three consumer applications to also include level four commercial applications, effectively doubling its business opportunity [11][57] - The average selling price (ASP) for level three applications is estimated between $600 to $800 per vehicle, while level four applications could reach $6,000 to $7,000 per vehicle due to the deployment of multiple LIDAR units [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The automotive market is projected to see a 10% penetration of LIDAR technology by 2030, translating to approximately 8 to 9 million units sold annually [54][55] - The commercial application market is maturing faster than expected, with a clear return on investment (ROI) model that enhances business opportunities for Innoviz [57][58] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Innoviz aims to win additional programs and ramp up production capacity, focusing on both consumer and commercial applications [11][12] - The company is also exploring opportunities in non-automotive markets, leveraging its automotive-grade LIDAR technology for applications in security, smart cities, and industrial uses [34][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of AI in enabling autonomous driving, stating that without AI, autonomous features cannot be realized [20][22] - The company expects significant volume increases starting in 2026, particularly in level four applications, while level three deployments are anticipated to ramp up in 2027 and beyond [16][56] Other Important Information - Innoviz's partnership with major platform players like Mobileye and NVIDIA is crucial for its growth, as these partnerships provide integrated solutions that save time and resources for OEMs [26][29] - The company is committed to maintaining a CapEx-light model by utilizing contract manufacturers, which allows for flexibility and scalability in production [41][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: How do you see the market for level three and level four applications developing? - Management noted that level four applications are gaining traction due to maturing technology and favorable business models, while level three applications are already being deployed in high-end vehicles [13][16] Question: What is the significance of partnerships with platform players like NVIDIA and Mobileye? - These partnerships are essential as they provide a ready-made solution for OEMs, reducing the time and cost associated with developing autonomous driving technologies [26][29] Question: How does Innoviz plan to enter non-automotive markets? - Innoviz is strategically looking to leverage its automotive-grade LIDAR technology for applications in security and smart cities, where there is already a demand for effective LIDAR solutions [34][36] Question: What trends are expected to impact the automotive sector in the next five to ten years? - Management anticipates a significant increase in LIDAR adoption, with projections of 8 to 9 million units sold annually by 2030, driven by safety considerations and the need for differentiation in the automotive market [54][55][56]

In this articleGOOGLA row of Waymo vehicles burn on a street during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025.Benjamin Hanson | Afp | Getty ImagesSeveral Waymo autonomous vehicles were set ablaze in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday amid widespread protests against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.A spokesperson for the Alphabet-owned company confirmed there were multiple Waymo vehicles "in the vicinity" of protests that were unable to be retrieved, NBC News reporte ...

Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock has been downgraded by Baird analyst Ben Kallo just days before the company’s anticipated robotaxi service launch in Austin on June 12.In an investor note on June 9, Kallo lowered Tesla’s rating from ‘Outperform’ to ‘Neutral’ and set a price target of $320, an 8% upside from Friday’s closing price of $295. Following the downgrade, TSLA shares dropped nearly 3% in pre-market trading on Monday, falling to $286.TSLA one-day stock price chart. Source: FinboldRobotaxi aggressive time ...

Group 1: Company Challenges - Tesla is facing numerous challenges in 2025, including sales declines in key markets, consumer backlash due to CEO Elon Musk's political actions, and significant price cuts from competitors like BYD in China [1] - The company is experiencing sales adversity for the first time, which has raised concerns among investors [8] Group 2: Robotaxi Testing - Tesla has begun testing self-driving Model Y vehicles without a driver in Austin, Texas, as part of its long-promised Robotaxi strategy [3] - The rollout of driverless technology will be gradual, starting with a few Tesla-owned Model Ys and expanding to approximately 1,000 vehicles within a few months, focusing on the safest areas of Austin [4] Group 3: CEO's Political Exit - Elon Musk is reportedly returning to work full-time at Tesla after stepping back from his role with the Trump administration, which may alleviate some consumer backlash and brand issues [8] - This change is seen as a positive development for investors who have been concerned about Musk's political involvement affecting the company's reputation [8] Group 4: Market Outlook - Analyst Dan Ives believes that despite setbacks, Tesla has the potential to dominate the autonomous vehicle market due to its global scale, with a projected valuation of $2 trillion in the next 12 to 18 months [7] - Investors are advised to monitor the company's direction as it navigates between manufacturing cars, ramping up the robotaxi business, and developing AI and robotics [9]

Core Insights - Pony.ai is advancing its Robotaxi mass production and commercialization with public road testing of its seventh-generation Robotaxis in China [1][2] - The new Robotaxis are based on Guangzhou Auto's Aion V model and feature Pony.ai's latest autonomous driving system, which was recently unveiled [2][3] - The Gen-7 system boasts significant improvements, including a 70% reduction in BOM costs and the exclusive use of automotive-grade components [3][4] Company Developments - Pony.ai has received regulatory approval for road tests, marking a shift from closed-track validation to real-world testing [2] - The company has accumulated over 45 million kilometers of autonomous test mileage and operates in over 2,000 square kilometers across major Chinese cities [5] - The goal for 2025 is to achieve mass production, with plans to deploy a fleet of over 1,000 vehicles by year-end [6] Technological Advancements - The Gen-7 system includes six types of sensors for comprehensive perception and a proprietary sensor cleaning solution for adverse conditions [4] - The technology is designed to exceed human safety standards and improve navigation in complex environments through reinforcement learning [4] Strategic Partnerships - Pony.ai has formed partnerships with major players in technology and mobility services, including Tencent Cloud, Alipay, and Uber, to support widespread adoption [7] - The company aims to create a sustainable business model for the mass production and deployment of autonomous vehicles [8]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is preparing to launch its robotaxi services imminently, with a specific date set for June 12, which has generated significant investor interest and a stock price increase of approximately 23% last month despite a weak earnings report for Q1 2025 [1][10]. Group 1: Tesla's Robotaxi Launch - The robotaxi service will initially deploy about 10 Model Ys in Austin, with plans to scale up to 1,000 vehicles in the following months, although the service will be geo-fenced to avoid unsafe areas [8][10]. - CEO Elon Musk confirmed successful testing of a Model Y without a driver on public streets, indicating progress towards fully autonomous rides [7][8]. - The company aims to revolutionize mobility by offering cheaper rides without drivers, similar to Uber and Lyft, but at a lower cost [3]. Group 2: Cathie Wood's Position - Cathie Wood's ARK Innovation ETF sold around 50,000 Tesla shares worth approximately $17 million, but Tesla remains the top holding in the fund, with a price target of $2,600 by 2029 [2][3]. - The sale is interpreted as a strategic move to "sell high, buy low," allowing the fund to book gains while maintaining a long-term bullish outlook on Tesla's future [4][10]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Tesla is entering the robotaxi market later than competitors like Alphabet's Waymo, which currently dominates the U.S. market with over 250,000 paid rides per week and significant investments planned [9][10]. - Waymo has already established commercial services in four U.S. cities and has partnered with Uber to expand its reach, posing a competitive threat to Tesla's ambitions [9]. Group 4: Tesla's Core Business Challenges - Tesla's core EV sales are declining, with a reported 15% year-over-year drop in China sales and the weakest quarterly deliveries in over two years [12][13]. - The company faces increasing competition from both legacy automakers and new entrants in the EV market, compounded by reputational issues stemming from CEO Elon Musk's political controversies [13]. Group 5: Valuation Concerns - Tesla's stock is trading at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 10.23, significantly higher than the industry average of 2.75, indicating that much of the current valuation is based on optimistic projections regarding its robotaxi business [15][17]. - Analysts suggest that the market is pricing in significant breakthroughs in unproven areas like autonomous driving, which may take years to materialize [15][17].

Core Insights - Tesla is set to launch its first robotaxi service in Austin, TX, with a tentative start date of June 12, marking a significant step into the autonomous vehicle market [1][2] - The robotaxi service will utilize Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, with CEO Elon Musk stating that Model Y vehicles are already being tested on public roads without a driver [2] - Despite the excitement, there are concerns regarding the lack of detailed information about the service's operational aspects, including vehicle deployment and safety measures [3][11] Tesla's Competitive Position - Tesla faces stiff competition from Waymo, which currently leads the U.S. robotaxi market, operating commercial services in four cities and providing over 250,000 paid rides weekly [6] - Waymo has adopted a cautious approach, focusing on data collection and safety studies, while Tesla has relied on bold claims from its CEO without substantial public data [7][20] - Tesla's robotaxis are expected to have a cost advantage, with production costs estimated at $50,000 compared to Waymo's $180,000 due to Tesla's reliance on cameras instead of high-end sensors [9] Market Challenges - Tesla is experiencing declining deliveries and increased competition from both legacy automakers and new entrants like BYD, which has surpassed Tesla in EV deliveries for two consecutive quarters [12][13] - The company has been offering deep discounts to boost demand, which is negatively impacting profit margins, leading to a reduction in growth targets for 2025 [14] - Tesla's stock has seen a 23% increase recently, likely due to optimism surrounding the robotaxi launch, but much of this may already be priced into the stock [4][22] Valuation Concerns - Tesla's forward price/sales ratio stands at 10.69, significantly higher than the industry average of 2.77, raising concerns about overvaluation [16] - The market appears to be pricing in expectations for breakthroughs in high-risk areas like autonomous driving, which remain unproven [18][21] - Given the current challenges in Tesla's core EV business and the uncertainties surrounding the robotaxi launch, the investment case appears weaker [21][22]

Companies that were once hot and known for their growth stages typically come to a plateau once their size starts getting too big to keep churning out double-digit growth rates across the board. When this happens, investors can start to reduce their positions in the once great run higher or wait for new catalysts or developments to come into the company and spark a new growth stage once again; that is as simple as it gets for professional money managers. In today’s market, one name has become synonymous wit ...