January 29, 2026
Robotaxis or roadkill?
Tesla is committing automotive suicide
Fans stunned, skeptics shout roadkill as Musk kills S/X to chase robotaxis and robots
TLDR: Tesla says it’s killing the Model S/X and shifting from selling cars to robotaxis and robots. Commenters erupted: critics call it “automotive suicide” and slam unproven markets, while others say BYD and Waymo forced the pivot—making this a make-or-break bet for the world’s most famous EV brand
The comments went nuclear after Tesla’s latest call: Elon’s killing the Model S and X next quarter, converting Fremont to build Optimus robots, shelving new mass‑market cars, and pivoting to “transportation as a service.” Tesla even rewrote its mission to “building a world of amazing abundance,” which sparked equal parts eye‑rolls and meme storms. Critics say this is automotive self‑destruct. One user, p‑o, blasted the pivot as a leap into unproven markets, citing claims that Waymo’s revenue is tiny and “consumer robotics” is a total mystery—so how does the valuation make sense?
Defenders counter that the pivot was inevitable. User the_sleaze_ argues BYD is bulldozing the EV market, Waymo’s driverless taxis are working in cities, and Tesla could never justify its monster stock price on car sales alone. Meanwhile, the jokes flew: “Fully Self Driving themselves off the cliff,” quipped mekdoonggi, as others posted mock obituaries for the S/X and “robotaxi waiting room since 2016” memes.
Investor drama roared too: karmakurtisaani called Tesla’s fundamentals “trash” and predicted an epic crash, while bulls shrugged that moonshots are the whole point. Another flashpoint: z2 claimed Tesla will drop basic lane‑keep and adaptive cruise—features even a Corolla offers—accusing the company of crippling its cars. Two models left, both slipping, and a future pinned on robotaxis—bold reinvention or headline‑writing meltdown? Read the full report on Electrek and Tesla
Key Points
- •Tesla will discontinue Model S and Model X production next quarter and convert the Fremont line to build Optimus robots.
- •Tesla executives emphasized a strategic shift toward transportation-as-a-service and autonomous vehicles during the Q4 2025 earnings call.
- •Elon Musk stated long-term Tesla will only make autonomous vehicles and predicted that a small fraction of future miles will be human-driven.
- •The article says Tesla has no plans for new mass-market models, including scrapping a previously discussed $25,000 vehicle.
- •Tesla’s latest 10-K filing reportedly updated its mission to “building a world of amazing abundance,” and the article lists current lineup status, noting Semi is not in volume production and Cybertruck sales vs capacity.