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Tesla is set for a strong 2026 with advancements in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, improved brand reputation, and revitalized sales in China. Analysts estimate a 77% chance that Tesla will launch unsupervised FSD before 2026, transitioning from current robotaxi operations in two cities (Austin and San Francisco) to a competitive status against Alphabet’s Waymo, which has completed over 14 million paid robotaxi trips in 2025.
In China, despite tough market conditions, Tesla’s Model Y became the top-selling vehicle last week, indicating a turnaround in its second-largest market. Additionally, data from HundredX shows Tesla’s net purchase intent and brand trust have fully recovered after sustaining significant damage in early 2025 when sales dropped sharply due to external distractions involving CEO Elon Musk.
Tesla’s robotaxi model costs approximately $400 per vehicle using camera technology, compared to Waymo’s lidar technology costing around $10,000 per vehicle, providing Tesla with a distinct scalability advantage. Tesla’s steps towards enhancing its technology and brand position suggest a revitalization as it heads into 2026.
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