Honestly, don’t you find it really confusing when you hear the latest news about Tesla these days? The stock price is fluctuating, new car sales are not meeting expectations, but then there’s constant talk about autonomous driving and robots.
Frankly, in this situation, I think many people are wondering, ‘What will happen next?’ In my opinion, we shouldn’t just view it as an electric car company. Today, in 2026, I’d like to delve into the hottest issues surrounding Tesla from my personal perspective. If you’re considering investing or purchasing, I hope this article helps you, even a little!
FSD V13, Can It Really Be ‘Full Self-Driving’?
You’ve probably all heard about the recent Tesla FSD (Full Self-Driving) V13 update. They say the neural network processing capability has been greatly improved, allowing it to more accurately recognize various objects like pedestrians and bicycles even in complex urban areas.
In particular, its ability to navigate complex routes within parking lots and avoid obstacles has improved, and I personally have high expectations as the update even includes considerations for Korea’s complex road environments. The fact that updates are provided wirelessly (OTA) means that as long as the vehicle is connected to Wi-Fi, you can experience the latest features immediately, which is also attractive.
But the important thing is that it’s still legally classified as a Level 2 autonomous driving system. This means the driver must always pay attention and be ready to intervene immediately when necessary. In fact, there’s a lot of controversy because this is somewhat inconsistent with the name ‘Full Self-Driving.’ Recently, Tesla officially admitted that if FSD reaches its limits, remote operators can directly drive the vehicle, which again sparked a lot of discussion. The path to full autonomous driving still seems long.
Robotaxi Without Safety Drivers, Is Commercialization Just a Matter of Time?
Is the talk of Robotaxis really becoming a reality? Tesla first launched its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June 2025, but at that time, safety drivers were present. However, since December of last year, they started testing without safety drivers, and from January of this year, they began offering unmanned Robotaxi services to general passengers.
Elon Musk has expressed confidence that Robotaxis will be widely deployed across the United States by the end of 2026. There’s also speculation about the possibility of expanding beyond mere transportation to a new shared economy model. Personally, I’m really curious about how these changes will affect our lives. Of course, safety concerns and regulatory issues will continue to be challenges that need to be addressed.
Slowing EV Sales, What’s Tesla‘s New Breakthrough?
To be honest, Tesla sales in Q1 2026 fell short of market expectations. They delivered a total of about 358,000 units, which was lower than Wall Street estimates and a 14% decrease from the previous quarter. While the EV market competition has become fierce, some analyses suggest that Elon Musk’s actions have also alienated some consumers.
In this situation, Tesla plans to end production of the Model S and Model X and convert that space into a production line for its humanoid robot, ‘Optimus.’ The strategy of shifting its focus towards next-generation businesses like AI, robots, and Robotaxis rather than EV sales is becoming clearer. Of course, new vehicles like the Cybertruck are still being produced, but initial price increases, among other factors, have led to mixed market reactions.
Conclusion
Truly, Tesla always seems to surprise us. Seeing them make various attempts at the forefront of future technology, beyond just being a car company, is remarkable. While they are currently facing several challenges, if we read these currents of change well, couldn’t new opportunities arise? I’m really looking forward to seeing what Tesla will look like in the future!
