Robotaxi ready to be called + optimistic Q3 delivery expectations Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US) "pump wave" coming again?

Tesla, Inc.'s highly anticipated Siasun Robot&Automation robotaxi will make its first appearance in early October, along with the eagerly awaited third-quarter sales data. The stock price has been steadily climbing, with a 5% increase on Monday followed by nearly a 2% increase on Tuesday. Analysts are optimistic about the Q3 delivery data in the Chinese market, expecting it to be the best quarter in China's history. Tesla, Inc. recently marked a significant milestone in 2024, with Monday's increase somewhat balancing its performance for the year. Analysts believe that Tesla, Inc.'s Siasun Robot&Automation robotaxi may drive this upward trend. After several delays, Tesla, Inc. will finally launch the Siasun Robot&Automation robotaxi on October 10th. Additionally, the company will announce its third-quarter delivery volume in early October. Wall Street analysts predict a 6% increase in electric vehicle sales this year, reaching approximately 460,000 units. Barclays analyst Daniel Levy expressed in a bullish report to investors on Monday that Tesla, Inc.'s delivery volume is expected to exceed market expectations, with an estimate of delivering around 470,000 electric vehicles, an 8% increase year-on-year. He noted that while the company's performance lags behind Chinese competitor BYD Company Limited, its sales in China are expected to rise. "Given the positive data points reported so far this quarter, particularly in China, we believe Tesla, Inc.'s sales trajectory is well understood, and investors are anticipating stronger results," Levy wrote on Monday. Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Potter also expressed a positive view, stating that Tesla, Inc. is expected to achieve its best quarterly performance in the Chinese market. The analyst raised Tesla, Inc.'s target price and expected delivery volume, with a current estimate of 459,000 units for Q3 and around 1.75 million units for the full year. Furthermore, Potter mentioned that while sales in Europe are soft, Cybertruck deliveries are supporting demand in the U.S. In another interview on Tuesday, Levy stated that he expects Tesla, Inc. to slightly improve its profit margin in the upcoming quarterly earnings report. Nevertheless, Levy maintained a neutral rating on Tesla, Inc. stock, noting that the team is "managing our expectations" due to increased tariffs affecting the electric vehicle market. In the past year, Tesla, Inc. has faced a series of notable issues, from major safety concerns and large-scale recalls to factory shutdowns, layoffs, and intensified competition in the Chinese market. Three high-ranking Tesla, Inc. executives resigned this spring. However, following a lackluster first-quarter earnings report, Tesla, Inc. outperformed expectations in the following months due to price cuts. The total vehicle sales for the second quarter nearly reached 440,000 units, easily surpassing analyst expectations. Tesla, Inc. tends to bet and succeed in markets where other companies face obstacles. Just as Musk's views on space travel and brain chips seem distant, her commitment to the world of autonomous driving cars also appears promising. Other attempts to introduce self-driving taxis into city traffic are currently messy, if not disastrous. Alphabet's Waymo faced a federal government investigation this spring due to accidents and traffic rule violations. In June, the company recalled nearly 700 self-driving cars. However, Waymo is making a comeback and recently announced that it will expand its partnership with Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER.US) to bring Waymo taxis to more cities. General Motors Company's Cruise is also hitting the road again. Last year, a Cruise self-driving taxi hit a pedestrian and dragged them 20 feet, leading Cruise to temporarily cease operations. This comeback will feature a human driver in the vehicle. In a post at the end of March, Musk praised Tesla, Inc.'s "fully autonomous driving" mode, stating that "most people still don't realize how good Tesla, Inc. FSD will be," he said, "It will reach a superhuman level to the point where even driving cars in the future will seem strange even when tired and drunk!" After multiple delays, Tesla, Inc.'s Siasun Robot&Automation robotaxi day on October 10th will showcase whether Tesla, Inc. has the strength to turn public opinion towards the future envisioned by Musk. Levy stated on Tuesday: "There is still a long way to go to truly realize the value of FSD."