Tesla’s Cybercab Reveal Disappoints, Stock Dips 6.48% Premarket

11 Okt

Tesla’s stock (NASDAQ: TSLA) took a sharp dive in premarket trading Friday, dropping over 6% following the much-anticipated reveal of its Cybercab robotaxi concept at the “We, Robot” event. The unveiling, which was expected to be a game-changing moment for Tesla, left investors underwhelmed. This event, highlighting Elon Musk’s vision for autonomous driving, did little to offer short-term growth prospects.

Cybercab Unveiling Falls Short
Tesla CEO Elon Musk took the stage at Warner Bros. Studios in California on Thursday to reveal the futuristic Cybercab, a sleek, silver two-seater with no steering wheel or pedals, emphasizing the vehicle’s self-driving capabilities. Despite the bold design and its futuristic appeal, analysts were disappointed with the event's content. Musk presented ambitious long-term goals, such as autonomous driving technology making Tesla vehicles available for under $30,000 by 2027. Yet, there was a lack of concrete details on how and when these advances would impact Tesla's bottom line.

The event seemed to emphasize the far-off future of Tesla’s autonomous technology, as analysts from Barclays and Morgan Stanley pointed out that no updates were provided on immediate growth opportunities. Tesla didn’t share details on the low-cost model set for 2025 production or any significant progress in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The lack of updates on Tesla’s AI integration, specifically concerning its rumored partnership with Musk’s AI company xAI, also contributed to the overall disappointment.

Furthermore, while Tesla's Cybercab aims to revolutionize mass transit, investors were skeptical about its near-term viability. Without tangible manufacturing plans, regulatory approval, or significant technological breakthroughs, fully autonomous vehicles are still years away from becoming mainstream. This added to the frustration among investors who were expecting Tesla to present more immediate growth opportunities.

Technical Analysis
As of Friday morning, Tesla stock (NASDAQ: TSLA) has slumped by 6.31%, signaling a significant bearish sentiment in the market. This decline coincides with the broader disappointment surrounding the Cybercab event and is compounded by technical indicators showing a continuation of the downward trend.

The stock is currently trading within a bearish channel, indicating a sustained negative momentum. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 48, reflecting weak buying interest and suggesting there could be more downside in the near term. A crucial support zone has formed around the $205 price level, where a bearish gap-down pattern has appeared on the daily chart, further supporting the likelihood of Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) testing this zone.

With the lack of bullish catalysts, Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) shows no signs of a reversal. The $205 level aligns with a significant support pivot, and a break below this could trigger further declines. Investors should remain cautious as technical indicators continue to signal weakness.

Bearish Momentum and Market Sentiment
Tesla’s stock performance in the first half of 2024 was marred by a steep selloff, and while it has somewhat recovered, the current price action reflects lingering concerns. Analysts at Piper Sandler warned that “pre-event momentum fizzles,” predicting that Tesla shares may continue to face downward pressure in the coming weeks. With no immediate breakthroughs presented at the event, many expect the stock to face continued selling pressure, especially as investors weigh the long-term promises against Tesla’s current performance.

Moreover, Morgan Stanley's critique of Musk's failure to position Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) as an AI-driven company only adds to investor worries. Tesla's AI capabilities, once considered a defining strength, were not sufficiently addressed at the event, leaving investors questioning whether Tesla will retain its leadership in the autonomous driving space.

What’s Next for Tesla?
Tesla’s financial performance in Q3 2024, set to be announced on October 23, will provide further insight into how the company is faring. With increasing competition from rivals like Google’s Waymo and traditional automakers entering the electric vehicle (EV) and autonomous driving markets, Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) faces pressure to deliver more immediate results.

The stock is hovering near a critical juncture. While there may be some relief rallies, the broader sentiment suggests more downside risk, especially if Tesla cannot provide compelling short-term growth catalysts. Investors should keep a close eye on Tesla’s next moves in the autonomous vehicle space and any updates on its FSD technology as potential triggers for a rebound.

For now, Tesla’s Cybercab may have excited visionaries, but it has left investors with more questions than answers.