Re: Doesn't make sense
"The board don't want Musk to go because it would tank the stock. "
Maybe, but Elon has sold roughly half of his stock and the board/senior execs don't hold any stock they have once it's vested and they can sell it.
The last mainstream vehicle Tesla released was the Model Y in 2020. I consider those as a Model 3 that can't say no to a second helping of desert too often. They have 2 very similar mainstream vehicle offerings that are on the high end of the price scale for their segment. The S and X are luxury priced. The Cybertruck is just wrong on too many levels.
If the Semi was released in 2019 as promised, it might have had a chance, but it wasn't designed to appeal to the people that approve and buy trucks, logistics managers. They aren't a good fit for enough owner/operators who need range, a place to sleep and a traditional seating position. Now, just about every major brand has electric HGV's. Even Nikola has been shipping ET's.
As for autonomous taxis, I would put money on Geely before Tesla and a version of the London Black Cab. The design of the LBC is much better for a taxi. Aerodynamics aren't needed in a city, but easy access and room for prams, wheel chairs, bikes and scooters is mandatory. I still want a driver if I'm traveling. They know where to go, where not to go and can have a lot of local knowledge that's worth every penny of the fare sometimes. I'm still waiting to hear what the plans are for breakdowns. An autonomous taxi with no controls that freaks out and curls up into a ball can't be moved manually. Will cities need to purchase cranes to remove them? Will they just install really powerful winches on flat-bed tow trucks so they can be dragged up the ramp?
AI? Pffttt. Robots? for what? Your plastic pal that's fun to be around? I could buy a bunch of human friends for less $/£.