Things aren't exactly running on autopilot for Elon Musk (53)! 

Just last week, he had to swallow some bitter news about his social media empire—now it's Musk's turn to face a financial fender-bender. Tesla, the crown jewel of his electric empire, is hitting speed bumps, and the numbers aren't good. 

Experts say, “The growth story is limping.” And limping might be an understatement. For the first time in history, Tesla’s sales have hit reverse. The company delivered 1.79 million vehicles in 2024—down by 19,355 from the previous year. Not precisely the rocket-fueled trajectory Musk had in mind. 

But the real lemon in the lot? The much-hyped Cybertruck, a futuristic pickup supposed to revolutionize the market, has landed with a metallic thud. Not everyone wants a truck that looks like it rolled out of a dystopian sci-fi film. 

To make matters worse, Tesla’s brand is starting to carry some baggage, and it's not just about production woes. Musk's political detours have rubbed some potential buyers the wrong way, and dealers are whispering about canceled orders. 

- The new Model Y from Tesla

Still, there's a glimmer of hope. Tesla has unveiled a refreshed version of its bestselling Model Y, which should be rolling into driveways this March. The new all-wheel-drive launch edition will cost European buyers over €60,000 ($62,454.47), though cheaper versions will arrive later—whenever Tesla decides to reveal the price tag. 

Meanwhile, Musk is steering attention toward his following grand promise: robotaxis. He insists that driverless Teslas will be ferrying passengers around Austin, Texas, by mid-year. No steering wheel is required—just a leap of faith. Full-scale expansion is supposedly on deck for 2026 and beyond, with Musk assuring the world that no one is ahead of Tesla in AI-driven autonomy. 

Of course, there’s a catch. Unlike rivals, which use radar and lidar for precision, Tesla's Full Self-Driving system relies solely on cameras. So far, regulators only recognize it as an advanced driver assistance system, meaning humans must still be ready to take the wheel. 

Musk is putting on his best poker face for now, but Wall Street isn’t betting the house just yet. If Tesla doesn’t pull off a turnaround soon, even the billionaire’s most die-hard fans might start looking for an emergency exit. 🚗💨