CEO Elon Musk said Thursday that electric car maker Tesla will make a “customized” self-driving taxi that “looks futuristic,” without specifying a time frame. The 50-year-old billionaire, who wore a black cowboy hat and sunglasses, made the comments at the opening of Tesla’s $1.1 billion plant in Texas, where its new headquarters is located.
“Broad scale. Fully autonomous.” Musk told a large crowd at the plant, “There will be a dedicated robotaxe.” Musk several times missed his goals for full autonomy.
In 2019, he said that robotic taxis without a human driver would be available in some US markets in 2020. In January, he said he would be “shocked” if Tesla did not achieve full autonomous driving that is safer than humans this year.
He said Thursday that Tesla will expand its “fully autonomous driving” pilot program to all FSD subscribers in North America this year. Tesla is now selling its advanced driver assistance systems for $12,000, with the promise of more features. It says the program does not make its vehicles autonomous and requires driver supervision.
The beta version, launched in late 2020, aims to enable cars to better navigate city streets. By January, it was installed in nearly 60,000 vehicles in the United States. Musk said Tesla has begun delivering Texas-made Model Y electric SUVs, with a goal of producing half a million annually at the Texas plant, which he said will be the largest automaker in the United States.
Musk said he did not provide details of this Model Y, but that they will likely be lower-priced versions to better deal with cheaper competitors.
Analysts said the giant’s new plants in Texas and Berlin, which will make its own cars and battery cells, are facing challenges in ramping up production with new operations.
Musk said Tesla is simplifying the auto industry by making a car using three main parts. Despite record first-quarter deliveries, the recent COVID-19 spike in China has forced Tesla to suspend production at its Shanghai plant for several days.
Thursday’s event comes after Musk surprised the market this week by revealing that he has bought a 9% stake in Twitter and will be joining the social network’s board of directors.
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