According to an internal staff memo, Tesla is preparing to launch its robotaxi service in San Francisco this weekend.
Although Tesla’s robotaxi business is still in the early stages, having only completed a controlled test in Austin earlier this year, Tesla stated in a memo that its launch schedule has been moved forward, with the service potentially launching as soon as Friday.
The report, released by Business Insider, said the geofenced area where Tesla’s robotaxi service will operate covers a large part of the Bay Area, including Marin, much of the East Bay, San Francisco, and south to San Jose. It also noted that some Tesla owners will receive invitations to try the new service.
Tesla’s plan to deploy its robotaxis follows the company’s earnings call this week, during which CEO Elon Musk announced that Tesla is securing regulatory approval to launch robotaxis in several states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.
This week, Tesla announced a second straight quarter of declining auto sales. During the earnings call, Musk told investors that there could be a “few rough quarters” ahead due to the expiration of federal electric vehicle tax credits.
Today, Tesla stock has dropped more than 8% in pre-market trading.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
