Tesla announced on Wednesday that it plans to start selling its Cybercab to customers by the end of the year, despite ongoing investigations by federal regulators regarding the vehicle's compliance with safety standards.
Overview of the Cybercab
The Cybercab is a gold-hued, autonomous two-seater that notably lacks a steering wheel and other traditional controls. During the company’s third-quarter earnings call, Lars Moravy, Tesla's vice president of engineering, stated that the Cybercabs currently being produced are intended for the company’s own robotaxi fleet. He emphasized that as the fleet expands, Tesla will primarily deliver fully designed autonomous vehicles to customers, starting on a small scale.
Plans for Expansion
Moravy explained that the company will gradually scale its operations as it gains insights into delivery, ownership, and fleet management of autonomous vehicles. Tesla initially proposed the idea of selling the autonomous vehicle to third parties last month during its Cybercab event in Austin, even providing a form for interested buyers.
Shifts in Strategy
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has long discussed the vision of creating a vast fleet of low-cost robotaxis. However, recent plans have shifted from converting privately owned Tesla vehicles into self-driving taxis via software updates to focusing on the Cybercab as a dedicated ride-hailing vehicle. Musk clarified,
