Elon Musk's Tesla Stock Performance

Elon Musk's Tesla experienced its worst quarterly performance in the stock market since 2022, with shares dropping by 36% in the first three months of 2025, wiping out over $460 billion in market cap. Various factors like Musk's role in the Trump administration, declining new vehicle sales, and challenges in meeting promises for robotaxis have contributed to the stock woes.

Tesla's Stock Decline and Future Prospects

Tesla's stock has dropped by nearly half in three months, but investors are still debating whether the electric-vehicle maker remains overpriced. The company's value is heavily reliant on hopes for autonomous vehicles Tesla has not yet delivered.

Progress in Testing Self-Driving Robotaxis on Highways

Motional is making progress in testing self-driving robotaxis on highways, reaching speeds of 75 mph. The company focuses on safety, comfort, and enjoyment for passengers in autonomous vehicles.

Deployment of Robotaxis by Uber and Lyft

Uber and Lyft are preparing to deploy robotaxis with new app features in select U.S. cities, marking a huge shift for urban transportation. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to reduce accidents, lower costs, increase profits, and lower emissions. Challenges include earning public trust, tackling vandalism, complex traffic situations, adverse weather, and regulatory hurdles.

New York City's Permitting System for Robotaxis

New York City has introduced a permitting system for companies testing robotaxis on its streets, requiring human safety drivers at all times. The city aims to regulate self-driving vehicle testing to ensure safety and proficiency in the urban environment. Only vehicles with human safety drivers will be permitted for testing on public roads.

Introduction of Waymo Driverless Robotaxis in Los Angeles

Waymo, a part of Google's parent company, has introduced around 50 driverless robotaxis in Los Angeles, sparking excitement and concern among Angelinos. The technology has faced criticism and safety concerns, with labor leaders worried about job losses and potential dangers to emergency vehicle drivers. Although Waymo claims their vehicles are safer than human drivers, local lawmakers like Hugo Soto-Martinez are pushing for more control over permitting decisions.