Tesla’s (TSLA) much-anticipated robotaxi launch later this week is a “pivotal” moment for the under-fire business, with any failure likely to severely hit its valuation and long-term revenue hopes.
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Another ‘Musk Mirage,’ however, could create a buying opportunity for investors.
Grand Illusion
The warning from Saxo’s global head of investment strategy Jacob Falkencrone comes ahead of Tesla’s robotaxi launch on June 22 in Austin, Texas. “It is a concept Elon Musk [Tesla chief executive] has relentlessly hyped as the cornerstone of Tesla’s next trillion-dollar chapter,” he said. “Investors now hold their breath. Will this launch deliver transformative change or prove yet another of Musk’s grand illusions?”
The robotaxi pilot will deploy roughly ten autonomous Model Y vehicles powered by Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.
Falkencrone said that while this is being marketed as fully autonomous, these robotaxis will initially operate within strict geo-fenced areas under remote human supervision—a controlled test environment “reflecting cautious regulatory navigation rather than bold innovation.”
Mobility Revolution
Analysts estimate robotaxis could cut travel costs by up to 70%, revolutionizing urban transport and shifting Tesla from a carmaker to a global mobility giant.
“Robotaxis could redefine Tesla’s revenue model, potentially surpassing its car business,” Falkencrone said.
However, he said skepticism remains warranted given intense scrutiny from regulators and public safety advocates.
Indeed, Democratic legislators in Texas recently publicly urged Tesla to postpone its rollout until new safety laws take effect on September 1.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is also actively investigating Tesla’s autonomous driving systems following multiple incidents.
“Historically, Tesla’s stock follows a predictable pattern around product launches—rising sharply on anticipation and falling on reality,” Falkencrone said. “The payoff potential is enormous, but so are the pitfalls. Positive early signs could signal a powerful, investable opportunity. Conversely, setbacks could create short-term buying opportunities amid volatility.”
Is TSLA a Good Stock to Buy Now?
On TipRanks, TSLA has a Hold consensus rating based on 14 Buy, 12 Hold and 9 Sell ratings. Its highest price target is $500. TSLA stock’s consensus price target is $286.14 implying an 11.15% downside.
