Tesla had just launched its much-anticipated robotaxi service in Austin when Elon Musk’s unexpected announcement of forming the “America Party” overshadowed the moment, leading to a 7% premarket share drop on July 7.
Though early feedback praised the futuristic service, media reports highlighted minor incidents—such as a collision while parking—a reminder of its nascent stage under human supervision.
Amid these innovations, analysts like Dan Ives caution that political distractions may hamper Tesla’s efforts to maintain a competitive edge in the autonomous mobility space, especially as rivals like Waymo push ahead with fully driverless fleets
