Tesla Plans Autonomous Rides Launch Austin June, Expansion Expected

Elon Musk participated in a detailed and sometimes tense interview at the Qatar Economic Forum, discussing Tesla's recent challenges, including its first annual sales drop in over a decade and the worst quarterly vehicle deliveries in three years. During the forum, Musk addressed various topics ranging from DOGE savings to his political contributions, reflecting his multifaceted roles as CEO and government advisor. Tesla is actively engaging with the rideshare market through a partnership with Lyft, offering drivers significant incentives to purchase new vehicles. Despite these efforts, analyst sentiment remains cautious, with average price targets suggesting a potential downside from current stock prices and a general 'Hold' rating among brokers. Tesla is progressing towards launching fully autonomous rides in Austin by June, with plans to expand to other cities, while focusing on localizing supply chains to mitigate risks. Overall, Musk's comments at the forum highlight both the challenges facing Tesla and its strategic initiatives to stabilize and grow in a competitive market.