Tesla's New Robotaxi-Ready Models Strengthen the Bull Case

Key Points

• Tesla added standard trims for Model 3 and Model Y, shipping with hardware that supports its supervised self-driving capabilities.

• Having more vehicles on the road with self-driving capabilities will enhance the companys rollout of its autonomous ride-sharing service.

• These more affordable vehicle models come at an ideal time for the company.

  After a tough first half of 2025,Tesla(NASDAQ: TSLA)is back in the spotlight. The company recently posted record third-quarter deliveries, and this week it unveiled Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y.

  Theelectric-vehicle makers timely launch of models priced below $40,000 may not only help sales trends in the near term, but it will also put more vehicles withself-driving technologyon the road. This is important because Tesla is currently piloting an autonomous ride-sharing service called Robotaxi, which the company will eventually allow customers to deploy their self-driving-equipped cars into the fleet as part of a revenue-sharing program. In other words, these cheaper models -- assuming they help the company sell more vehicles -- are ultimately expanding the reach of the companys future Robotaxi service.