Robotaxi Debut Sparks Investor Frenzy

Elon Musk’s net worth soared by $19 billion on Monday, making him the day’s biggest billionaire gainer following Tesla’s highly anticipated robotaxi launch in Austin, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index.

The electric vehicle giant officially unveiled its self-driving taxi service to a select group of users in its home city, charging a flat $4.20 per ride.

While Tesla employees still accompanied riders for safety, the launch—years in the making and repeatedly hyped by Musk—ignited investor enthusiasm and sent Tesla’s stock surging.

Stock Rally and Market Reaction

Tesla’s stock jumped as much as 11% during Monday’s trading session before closing up 8% at $348.68, trimming its year-to-date losses to just under 7%.

This dramatic single-day rally translated into a $19 billion windfall for Musk, who now commands a $385 billion fortune.

Despite losing nearly $47.5 billion in net worth since the start of 2025, Musk remains firmly atop the global rich list, with his net worth $139 billion ahead of the second richest man, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and $155 billion more than Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos.

In a post on X on Sunday, Musk credited Tesla’s internal AI and chip design teams for the robotaxi’s debut, calling it the “culmination of a decade of hard work.”

The launch marks a pivotal moment for Tesla, as the company seeks to cement its leadership in autonomous driving and electric mobility.

Hype vs. Execution

Despite the market’s bullish response, analysts remain cautious. In a Monday note, UBS analysts raised their target price for Tesla’s stock by $25 to $215 but maintained a “Sell” rating, warning that much of the robotaxi optimism is already priced in.

Other industry experts echoed these concerns, noting that while Tesla’s robotaxi vision is compelling, its success hinges on overcoming significant hurdles in safety, operational infrastructure, sensor limitations, and real-world deployment—challenges that remain largely unproven.

The robotaxi launch not only boosted Musk’s net worth but also underscored Tesla’s ambition to redefine urban mobility.

As the company continues to push the boundaries of autonomous technology, the spotlight remains on its ability to execute on its bold promises and maintain investor confidence amid a rapidly evolving competitive landscape.