Dan Ives Sees An Additional Trillion In Tesla Coming With Accelerated Cybercab and Regulatory Approval

Tesla's Autonomous Revolution: A Trump Presidency's Potential Impact

In the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive and technology sectors, Tesla Inc. has consistently been at the forefront, spearheading innovation with its electric vehicles and pioneering work in autonomous driving technology.

Recently, Dan Ives, a senior equity analyst at Wedbush Securities, has made bold predictions about Tesla's future under a potential Donald Trump presidency, suggesting that the company's valuation could skyrocket, driven by advancements in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) and particularly its Cybercab initiative.

The Trump Effect on Tesla's Valuation

Dan Ives has expressed that a Trump administration could significantly expedite the regulatory process for Tesla's autonomous vehicle technology.

He speculates that the timeline for regulatory approval of Tesla's autonomous Cybercab could be accelerated by 2 to 3 years under Trump's leadership. This acceleration, according to Ives, could alone add a trillion dollars to Tesla's valuation. Here's how:

• Regulatory Acceleration: Trump's known pro-business stance might lead to a more lenient regulatory environment for tech innovations like autonomous vehicles. This could mean faster pathways through federal agencies for Tesla's FSD technology, reducing the time and resources spent on compliance and testing.
• Market Expansion: With quicker regulatory approval, Tesla could launch its autonomous ride-sharing service, Cybercab, sooner than anticipated. This service would not only provide Tesla with a new revenue stream but also position it as a leader in the burgeoning autonomous vehicle market, potentially capturing a significant share of the global ride-hailing market.

The $2 Trillion Valuation Prospect

Ives envisions that Tesla could reach a $2 trillion market cap within the next 12 to 18 months, describing this ambitious target as "conservative." Here's what this would mean:

• Stock Price Implications: For Tesla to achieve a $2 trillion valuation from its current market cap, its stock price would need to exceed $600 per share. This would represent a substantial increase from its current valuation, reflecting not just Tesla's growth in sales but also the anticipated value of its autonomous technology.
• Investment and Growth: Such a valuation would likely attract more investors, both retail and institutional, betting on Tesla's AI and autonomous driving capabilities. It would also provide Tesla with more capital for research, development, and scaling up production of both vehicles and the Cybercab fleet.

Strategic Bet on Trump

Ives frames Musk's apparent support for Trump as "the bet for the ages," suggesting that this political alignment could be a strategic masterstroke for Tesla:

• Political Influence: A good relationship with the administration could ease Tesla's path through regulatory landscapes, not just in the U.S. but potentially influencing international policies as well.
• Public and Market Perception: Tesla's proactive engagement with Trump could be seen as a savvy move to ensure a favorable business environment, potentially improving consumer and investor confidence in Tesla's future under new policies.

Challenges and Considerations

However, this optimistic scenario comes with its caveats:

• Political Risk: Aligning with any political figure carries risks. Policies can change, and political climates can shift. If the relationship sours or if Trump's policies do not favor Tesla as anticipated, this could backfire.
• Technological Hurdles: While regulatory approval might be expedited, the actual development and safety verification of autonomous tech like Cybercab must still meet stringent safety standards. Any setbacks here could delay the market entry or diminish trust in the technology.
• Market Competition: Tesla isn't alone in the race for autonomy. Companies like Waymo, Cruise, and even traditional automakers are also advancing in this space. Tesla's first-mover advantage might be offset by competitors' innovations or partnerships.

Dan Ives's predictions place Tesla at a pivotal moment where political, technological, and market forces could converge to redefine its future. If his projections hold, Tesla could not only solidify its position in the EV market but also become a dominant force in autonomous mobility.

However, while the potential for growth is immense, the journey involves navigating through regulatory landscapes, technological challenges, and competitive pressures.

Whether Tesla can indeed leverage these opportunities to achieve a $2 trillion valuation remains to be seen, but the discussion underscores the significant impact of political dynamics on tech-forward industries like electric and autonomous vehicles.

Will the Cybercab and FSD be fast tracked with the new landscape in the U.S.? Or will this technology still take some time to adopt?

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#Tesla popping again today, with the stock seeing a more than 40% gain since the election. @DivesTech, who is raising his price target to $400 from $300, calls president-elect Trump's victory a "game changer" for Tesla: pic.twitter.com/dYgp44roWe
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Hi! I'm Jeremy Noel Johnson, and I am a Tesla investor and supporter and own a 2022 Model 3 RWD EV and I don't have range anxiety :). I enjoy bringing you breaking Tesla news as well as anything about Tesla or other EV companies I can find, like Aptera. Other interests of mine are AI, Tesla Energy and the Tesla Bot! You can follow me on X.COM or LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow my Tesla and EV news coverage.

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Article Reference: Tesla