Tesla has made a significant shift in its strategy, abandoning plans for the long-anticipated affordable electric car, according to sources familiar with the matter and company messages.
Tesla cancels plans for a low-cost electric car, shifting focus towards developing self-driving robotaxis, in a departure from Elon Musk’s earlier vision of mass-market affordability.
The decision comes amidst fierce competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers offering significantly cheaper options, posing challenges to Tesla’s growth targets and market dominance.
Despite the cancellation, Tesla’s future plans for robotaxis remain uncertain, while the company faces scrutiny over various issues including regulatory hurdles and product quality concerns.
This decision marks a departure from Elon Musk’s earlier vision of providing affordable electric vehicles to the masses, opting instead to focus on developing self-driving robotaxis on the same platform.
Since Tesla’s inception, Musk has repeatedly promised an affordable electric car, often considered a cornerstone of the company’s mission. However, the cancellation of this project underscores the growing challenges Tesla faces in the increasingly competitive electric vehicle market, particularly against Chinese automakers offering significantly lower-priced options.
The decision to scrap the affordable car project was reportedly communicated to employees in a meeting held in late February.
Instead, Tesla will prioritise the development of self-driving robotaxis, albeit in lower volumes than initially projected for the affordable model.
Following the Reuters report, Tesla’s stock experienced a significant drop, only to rebound slightly after Musk’s social media post announcing an upcoming unveiling event for the Tesla Robotaxi.
This shift in focus comes amidst intense competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers offering cars priced as low as $10,000.
Musk’s vision
While Tesla’s decision to pivot away from the affordable car strategy may disappoint investors and consumers, it reflects Musk’s vision of prioritising the development of autonomous driving technology, which he believes represents the future of mobility.
The cancellation of the affordable car project poses challenges for Tesla’s ambitious growth targets, including Musk’s goal of selling 20 million vehicles by 2030.
The delay in pursuing a low-cost option has allowed Chinese automakers to gain market share and offer competitive pricing, putting pressure on Tesla’s market dominance.
Tesla’s future plans for robotaxis remain unclear, as the company continues to face regulatory hurdles and technical challenges in achieving fully autonomous driving capabilities.
Nonetheless, Musk remains optimistic about the potential of self-driving cars to revolutionise transportation.
Ahron Young is an award winning journalist who has covered major news events around the world. Ahron is the Managing Editor and Founder of TICKER NEWS.
In Short:
– Apple has postponed the iPhone Air’s launch due to poor sales of the current model.
– Production of the iPhone Air will stop, with Foxconn and Luxshare ceasing manufacturing by November and October respectively.
Apple has delayed the launch of its second-generation iPhone Air, which was scheduled for fall 2026, due to disappointing sales of the current model that debuted two months ago, as reported by The Information.Engineers and suppliers have been informed that the iPhone Air will be removed from the production schedule without a new release date.
The decision coincides with a significant reduction in the production of the existing model. Foxconn is expected to cease all manufacturing by the end of November, while Luxshare will stop production by the end of October.
Sales for the iPhone Air have not met Apple’s expectations since its launch in September. Foxconn has limited its production lines for the device, and future orders are projected to decrease significantly. A survey indicated nearly no demand for the iPhone Air, with consumers instead choosing the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models.
Production Challenges
The underperformance of the iPhone Air continues a trend of failed attempts by Apple to add a fourth model to its lineup.
The iPhone mini was previously discontinued after poor sales, followed by the larger Plus models, which faced similar challenges.
Apple had intended to develop a lighter second-generation iPhone Air with improved specifications but may now reconsider its design approach. The company also has plans for a staggered launch of the iPhone 18 lineup set for 2026 and early 2027.
In Short:
– Wall Street started November mixed as AI deals boosted tech stocks, especially Amazon’s share price after a major agreement.
– OpenAI plans $1.4 trillion investment for computing resources, with Big Tech predicting over $250 billion AI infrastructure spending this year.
Wall Street began the month with mixed performances as major artificial intelligence deals influenced tech stocks positively, while broader market indices diverged.
Amazon’s shares rose over 5% following a significant $38 billion cloud services agreement with OpenAI, contributing to gains for the Nasdaq despite a decline in the Dow.The seven-year collaboration with Amazon Web Services marks OpenAI’s first major partnership with AWS, offering access to Nvidia graphics processing units essential for its AI expansion.
Amazon commented on the soaring demand for computing power resulting from rapid AI advancements, aiming for full capacity deployment by the end of 2026.
Microsoft also sealed a $9.7 billion agreement with IREN, highlighting the industry’s insatiable need for cloud capacity.
The collaborations depict Big Tech’s ongoing commitment to AI infrastructure, with significant investments aimed at catering to the escalating demand for computing resources.
Investment Perspective
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed intentions to invest $1.4 trillion to create 30 gigawatts of computing resources.
Major players, including Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, have adjusted their capital expenditure forecasts for 2025, anticipating AI infrastructure spending to surpass $250 billion this year.
Despite market caution regarding inflated valuations, analysts remain optimistic about growth in the sector. Even amidst fears of an AI bubble, industry leaders assert ongoing investments will continue to bolster market performance through 2026.
In Short:
– Xi Jinping proposed a global body to govern artificial intelligence at the APEC leaders’ meeting.
– The proposed organisation aims to enhance AI collaboration and benefit international development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a global body to govern artificial intelligence during the APEC leaders’ meeting, aiming to establish China as an alternative to the United States in trade cooperation.This marked Xi’s first major comments on the initiative announced earlier this year. The United States has so far rejected the idea of regulating AI through international bodies.
Xi suggested that a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization could create governance rules and enhance collaboration, framing AI as a “public good for the international community.” He emphasized the importance of AI for future development, stating it should benefit people across all nations.
Chinese officials indicated that the proposed organization could be based in Shanghai, China’s commercial hub. U.S. President Donald Trump attended the summit but left after a meeting with Xi, amidst ongoing tensions regarding trade and technology controls between the two countries.
AI Governance
Analysts expected Xi to leverage the summit to promote China as a leader in multilateral trade and economic development.
California-based Nvidia plays a crucial role in the AI sector, while China-based developer DeepSeek has introduced cost-effective AI models to support Beijing’s goals for algorithmic independence.
Xi called on APEC to facilitate the free circulation of green technologies, reflecting China’s dominance in this sector. APEC members agreed on a joint declaration addressing AI and ageing populations during the summit. The 2026 summit will take place in Shenzhen, a city transformed from a fishing village into a manufacturing powerhouse since the 1980s.
APEC represents 21 nations, accounting for half of global trade.