Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla (TSLA, Financial), has reaffirmed his dedication to leading the company for the next five years, assuring stakeholders of his commitment. This announcement alleviated concerns among analysts worried about his government involvement. Following Musk's declaration to step back from government duties, Tesla's stock price surged over 40%.
Former Tesla employees highlight Musk's significant influence on product direction, noting his hands-on approach. Chris Walti, who previously led Tesla's humanoid robot project, mentions Musk's direct role in product management. Walti observes Musk's tendency to prefer bold, innovative ideas rather than merely producing market-demanded products.
Despite these ambitious pursuits, Tesla's vehicle deliveries in the first quarter were 336,700, a 13% year-on-year decrease, missing market expectations. Analysts recommend Tesla introduce new models, improve battery technology, and enhance marketing efforts. The company's last major release was the Cybertruck in 2023, which did not meet sales expectations.
Musk continues to focus on developing self-driving taxis and affordable electric vehicles, although details remain undisclosed. While some doubt Musk's current understanding of market needs, others believe his bold decision-making is a unique advantage for Tesla.
