New York, Feb 3, 2026, 09:34 EST — Regular session
- Tesla shares dipped roughly 2% in early trading following the launch of a new Model Y variant in the U.S.
- Elon Musk’s expanding corporate empire drew attention as SpaceX sealed a blockbuster acquisition of xAI
- China’s move to ban “hidden” door handles presents a new regulatory challenge for EV manufacturers
Tesla shares dipped roughly 2% Tuesday morning, adding to a volatile stretch as investors weighed the launch of a pricier “standard” Model Y all-wheel-drive variant alongside recent news involving CEO Elon Musk’s other ventures.
The timing is crucial. Tesla has pushed more aggressively into lower-priced trims to maintain sales following the rollback of U.S. incentives, and its premium valuation has made traders swift to punish any sign of margin pressure.
Tuesday’s shift highlighted the pressure: added product and pricing adjustments aimed at steadying demand, but raising fresh concerns over profit margins as competition intensifies.
Tesla rolled out a new all-wheel-drive version of its top-selling Model Y SUV in the U.S., listed at $41,990 on its website. This AWD option is positioned above the more affordable rear-wheel-drive “Standard” variant, which the company added last October alongside lower-priced “Standard” trims for both the Model Y and Model 3. (Reuters)
These cuts dropped the entry price by roughly $5,000 compared to earlier base models, offsetting some of the increased effective purchase costs after the Trump administration ended the $7,500 federal tax credit in September. Analysts caution that a higher share of lower-priced vehicles might squeeze margins further unless Tesla manages to reduce costs or boost revenue from software and services, Reuters reported.
Separately, Musk hinted at a major pivot. Last week, he announced Tesla will halt production of its Model S and Model X, redirecting its California factory space to build humanoid robots, Reuters reported.
Investors are digging into how Musk’s broader empire could link up with Tesla. SpaceX recently snapped up Musk’s AI startup xAI, in a deal that pegs SpaceX’s valuation at $1 trillion and xAI’s at $250 billion, Reuters reported. This combo could raise questions about governance and conflicts because of Musk’s overlapping leadership roles. “Starlink was already a cash flow engine and now it adds an AI revenue layer on top,” noted Ali Javaheri, senior emerging spaces analyst at PitchBook. (Reuters)
China’s regulators have added a new challenge for EV makers. Starting in 2027, “hidden” car door handles will be banned under fresh safety rules mandating mechanical release functions. This design, made famous by Tesla and used by companies like Xiaomi, will no longer comply, Reuters reported. (Reuters)
The bigger risk for Tesla bulls is more straightforward: if price cuts drag the average selling price lower faster than costs fall, demand support could quickly unravel. This threat grows if regulatory shifts mandate costly redesigns or if investors lose faith in the speed and returns of Tesla’s robot and software ambitions.
Traders are now focused on the macroeconomic data and any fresh signals of demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the January jobs report will be delayed due to a partial government shutdown, cutting off a crucial near-term indicator on interest rates that usually impacts high-growth stocks. (Reuters)
