Core Insights - The initial rollout of Tesla's "robotaxi" driverless vehicle program led to a significant increase in Tesla's stock price, making CEO Elon Musk billions richer [1][2] - Tesla shares rose by 9%, closing at $349, marking a three-week high [1][3] - The rollout involved a limited fleet of 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles, which impressed investors despite being far from Musk's ambitious goals for the future [3][5] Financial Impact - Musk's net worth increased by $15 billion, the largest gain among billionaires, extending his lead over Oracle chairman Larry Ellison by more than $170 billion [2] - Tesla added $85 billion to its market capitalization, making it the world's most valuable car company, surpassing the combined worth of Ford and General Motors at $89 billion [7] Market Context - The stock surge occurred alongside a broader market rally, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each gaining nearly 1% [4] - The initial success of the robotaxi program comes after years of safety concerns and unmet promises regarding Tesla's full self-driving initiatives [5] Investor Sentiment - Analysts from Wedbush noted that the robotaxis "exceeded expectations," contributing to positive investor sentiment [3] - However, feedback from investors has been mostly neutral, indicating skepticism about the long-term viability of the robotaxi program [5]