Las Vegas, NV – March 21, 2025 – Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk addressed employees Thursday night, tackling growing brand backlash, outlining the company’s autonomous future, and defending Tesla’s stock amid recent volatility.
Brand Crisis and Vandalism
Musk spoke candidly about the recent wave of protests targeting Tesla dealerships and Supercharger stations, including arson attacks and vandalism.
- “If you read the news, it feels like Armageddon. I can’t walk past a TV without seeing a Tesla on fire,” Musk said, referencing the March 18 attack in Las Vegas where five Teslas were torched at a Tesla Collision Center.
- Musk condemned the violence, calling it “unreasonable” and adding, “I understand if you don’t want to buy our product, but you don’t have to burn it down.”
- U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the attacks “domestic terrorism”, vowing swift legal action against the perpetrators.
Musk’s Political Ties Draw Fire
The recent backlash against Tesla stems, in part, from Musk’s involvement in President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative.
- Critics have accused Musk of politicizing Tesla, driving some customers away.
- However, Musk downplayed the impact, stating the “real news” for Tesla was its technological progress, not the political noise.
Tesla’s Autonomous Future: Robotaxis and Cybercabs
Looking ahead, Musk remained bullish on Tesla’s future, reiterating his vision for full autonomy across its fleet.
- Musk predicted that by 2030, Tesla robotaxis will be “everywhere,” with global regulatory approval likely in five years.
- He emphasized that nearly the entire fleet, projected to exceed 10 million vehicles next year, will be autonomy-capable.
- Tesla plans to launch its Cybercab robotaxi in 2026, with factory preparations already underway.
- The “unboxed” production process, which Musk compared to a “high-speed consumer electronics line”, aims to cut vehicle assembly time to under five seconds.
Optimus Robot Production
In a surprise announcement, Musk revealed that Tesla had produced its first Optimus humanoid robot at its Fremont facility.
- Production will ramp up in 2025, with a goal of building 5,000 units this year.
- By 2026, Tesla aims for 50,000 robots, which Musk equated to “the size of a Roman legion”.
- The robots will initially be used internally, with a limited employee sale planned for 2026.
Model Y Remains a Core Driver
Turning to Tesla’s current lineup, Musk predicted that the Model Y — the company’s top-selling vehicle — will once again be the best-selling car in the world following its recent update.
- Despite softening sales data and declining registrations, Musk expressed confidence in the Model Y’s continued dominance.
Tesla Stock Slump: A Buying Opportunity?
Tesla stock has plunged by nearly 50% since its December 2024 highs, as slowing EV demand and Musk’s political ties weigh on the company’s valuation.
- However, Musk remained optimistic, urging employees and investors to hold on to their shares.
- “It’s very difficult for people in the stock market — especially those looking in the rearview mirror — to imagine a future where suddenly a 10 million-vehicle fleet has five to ten times the usefulness,” Musk said.
- His comments echo Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s recent call to buy Tesla shares, citing a valuation opportunity.
Wall Street’s Take
Analysts welcomed Musk’s return to Tesla leadership, interpreting his remarks as a reassurance to employees and shareholders.
- Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called Musk’s comments a “first step in regaining trust” amid mounting concerns over the company’s reputation.
- “Brand is key to Tesla,” Ives noted, “and it’s very important to make sure the current brand crisis does not morph into a permanent black eye for the company.”
