Shares in Tesla (TSLA) stock took a small hit on Friday after the automaker announced its discontinuing its Autopilot system. Tesla revealed it is suspending its basic driver-assistance system as the company tries to boost adoption of its self-driving technology.
Autopilot was a combination of Traffic Aware Cruise Control, which sticks to a designated speed while maintaining distance with cars ahead, and Autosteer, a lane-centering feature that could steer the car around curves. Tesla’s online configuration site now states new cars now only come standard with Traffic Aware Cruise Control. It’s not clear if current customers are affected.
The decision caps off a mixed week for both Tesla and TSLA stock investors. Earlier this week, CEO Elon Musk delivered a warning for the automaker’s cybercab launch in an attempt to lower expectations. With fourth-quarter earnings and the all-important conference call due next week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk appeared to possibly lower expectations late Tuesday with comments regarding key future Tesla products.
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Furthermore, Musk’s appearance at the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland didn’t do any favors for TSLA stock. Speaking with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Musk touched on the United States pursuit of Greenland, AI and robotics, and Tesla’s Optimus robot. With his focus scattered on a variety of topics, TSLA moved very little during/after the speech. Musk also believes that Tesla’s newer cars will be capable of “unsupervised” driving, saying FSD advances will allow drivers to “be on your phone or sleeping for the entire ride.” In December, he said a new version of FSD allowed the former, though texting while driving is illegal in almost all states.
At press time, TSLA shares are down half a percent, but up 2% in 2026. TSLA is trading near the top of its 52-week range and above its 200-day simple moving average.