Challenging the Future: Gerber's Stance on FSD
Gerber's Wager on Tesla's Autonomous Driving
On a recent Thursday, Gerber took to social media, referencing a post by user @28DelaysLater, which featured a statement from Elon Musk asserting that FSD V14.2 would make a Tesla vehicle feel almost sentient. Gerber subsequently challenged the electric vehicle manufacturer and its CEO to a wager regarding the actual efficacy of the FSD system.
Refund Demands for Unmet Promises
Gerber proposed that if the latest FSD iteration does not achieve Level 4 or 5 autonomy, customers should receive a $10,000 refund until it does. He labeled Tesla's $10,000 charge for the technology as "unreasonable" and pointed out the long history of unfulfilled commitments regarding FSD's full capabilities.
Skepticism and Real-World Fails for Tesla's FSD
Gerber has consistently voiced his reservations about the company's FSD technology, expressing doubts that Tesla can attain Level 4 or Level 5 autonomy. He argues that achieving such advanced autonomous driving requires addressing hardware deficiencies, not solely relying on software enhancements.
Influencer's Failed FSD Journey
A notable incident involved an influencer's attempt to complete a 2,500-mile cross-country journey using FSD. The system failed to identify and react to a significant piece of road debris, resulting in damage to the Tesla and the termination of the trip, further fueling Gerber's criticism.
Legal Challenges and New Valuation Models for Tesla's Autonomous Systems
Tesla's FSD technology is currently facing numerous lawsuits both domestically and internationally, including in China. These legal challenges center on safety and effectiveness concerns, with some plaintiffs alleging that Tesla misled consumers about the system's readiness and capabilities.
Rethinking Robotaxi Valuation
Meanwhile, investor Gary Black of Future Fund LLC believes that Tesla will eventually achieve unsupervised autonomous driving. However, he suggests that a fresh valuation methodology, incorporating Total Addressable Market (TAM) and market share metrics, is necessary for accurately assessing the value of the Robotaxi division.
Expanding Robotaxi Ambitions
Musk has articulated an ambitious goal to provide Tesla Robotaxi services to over half of the U.S. population by the close of 2025. Currently, these services are operational in Austin, and Tesla has secured authorization to commence testing in Arizona. The company also maintains ride-hailing operations in California.
Tesla's Market Performance and Future Outlook
Tesla demonstrates strong performance in Momentum and Growth metrics, alongside satisfactory Quality ratings, although its Value score is considered subpar. The company also benefits from a favorable price trend across short, medium, and long-term outlooks. Additional insights into stock rankings are available through Benzinga Edge.