00:00 Speaker a
Tesla will launch their robot taxi this weekend, and our next guest today said a successful launch is crucial for Tesla to verify the company’s long-term hub for automated mobility. For more information, let’s welcome you in our Stephen Jengaro, Stifel Next Gen Transport Analyst. Stephen, it’s great to see you. So Tesla’s Robo taxi service is launched this weekend. In Texas, Stephen. What do you expect to see and hear, and how should investors be excited at this moment?
01:20 Stephen Jengaro
Yes, Josh, Hi, thank you for letting me again. So when we think about Tesla in general, right? Robo taxi programs and complete autonomous driving programs are important long-term value drivers for the company. We talked a lot in our research notes. When we think about this weekend, I mean, we think it will be a slow process, right? This morning, you already have some senators and some people I think are local Texas representatives who want to delay the launch until more security can be checked. But, you know, it will be a slow process. You may find that you will see 10 or 20 cars on the road, and the YS that Tesla closely monitors the UH. So it’s a very slow process, but obviously, over time, something may be the first step in something bigger.
03:17 Speaker a
Stephen as far as how to expand from here. He said it was Dan Ives or Wedbush, and we know that the Bulls’ Dan Bulls told customers that while Austin Punains will start with a model 20 model Y-car, it’s our view that Tesla will launch and expand its Robo taxi service to about 25 cities over the next year. How do you do it?
04:14 Stephen Jengaro
Well, I think the first thing we have to consider, Josh, safe, right? I think one of the risks of launch is obviously the safety of the autonomous driving system. And, you know, if I had an accident on my way to work on Monday, no one would know or care. If the robot taxi you know will hit a fire hydrant, it will probably be in every news feed in the world, right? Therefore, great attention must be paid to safety. So when we consider the next step starting here, I do think you will see it stand out in the next two to three quarters in multiple cities in the U.S. You know, I think that will be measured. I think it will be a slow process. I mean, when we consider the importance of this to Tesla, if it is from December 31 to December 31, I know it’s in three cities or five cities or seven cities, I don’t care. My concern is that if the launch is clean, it will go smoothly and the safety records are very high. And I think I think Tesla understands that. So while we do build up in the long-term upward potential of these companies, the Robo taxi program is clearly an important part of our valuation. Well, I think the recent focus is more important with how many cars there are.
