Tesla aims to produce at least 2 million self-driving taxis — known as Cybercabs — annually by 2026, potentially accelerating the timeline initially predicted.
Mass Production by 2026
This ambitious target was recently highlighted by Ark Invest, a firm that has long been optimistic about Tesla’s role in the autonomous vehicle market.
Ark Invest predicts Tesla will lead the way in scaling operations for self-driving cars for ride-sharing and taxi services, and Tesla has shared similar expectations, according to Boosted.
During the company’s latest quarterly earnings report, Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed confidence that Cybercab will enter mass production by 2026 — not just production, but full-scale manufacturing.
“These are significant numbers, but we’re aiming for at least 2 million Cybercabs per year,” Musk stated. “This will involve more than one factory, and I believe we could even reach 4 million units annually in the future.”
Potential to be Self Driving
Later in the presentation, Musk and other Tesla executives revealed that Cybercab will essentially be the much-anticipated $25,000 vehicle Tesla has hinted at for years. Tesla reiterated its belief that the future of the automotive industry is autonomous, and Cybercab represents the brand’s commitment to this vision.
Tesla also emphasized that all its vehicles have the potential to be self-driving. Ark Invest analysts believe that Tesla’s current production capacity gives it a distinct advantage.
Musk pointed out, “Of the approximately 7 million cars we’ve built, the vast majority are capable of driving themselves. Right now, we’re producing around 35,000 self-driving vehicles per week. Compare that to Waymo’s fleet, which numbers fewer than a thousand vehicles. We’re producing 35,000 each week.”
However, it’s important to note that Tesla has not yet achieved fully autonomous driving capabilities, as no automaker, including Tesla, has been approved for full self-driving at this stage. Mercedes currently leads the field in autonomous technology, testing level 3 autonomous vehicles out of a possible 5 levels.
