Tesla’s Latest Headline-Grabber: Another PR Disaster Unfolds

Tesla just can't stay out of the spotlight—for all the wrong reasons. Another week, another self-inflicted crisis for Elon's electric circus.

What broke this time?

While details remain scarce, insiders suggest this latest stumble involves regulatory pushback—again. Because nothing says 'innovation' like constantly battling the SEC.

The market's verdict? A collective shrug from Wall Street. After all, what's another 5% swing when you're already pricing in perpetual hype?

One thing's certain: Tesla's volatility makes Bitcoin look like a Treasury bond. At least crypto traders expect the rollercoaster ride.

Robotaxi’s new app version rolls out

I just opened the Tesla Robotaxi app and the geofenced area in Austin, Texas has officially expanded 🤣 pic.twitter.com/gDOzLvkH4g

— Teslaconomics (@Teslaconomics) July 14, 2025

Robotaxi’s new app version was rolled out on July 14, adding walking directions for pickup and drop-off flexibility. According to the Robotaxi team, the addition of notable landmarks made navigating ride-sharing pickups and destinations in large metros and congested areas in Austin easier. The updated app now guides users to Robotaxi pickup and drop-off locations that are not close to specific areas being visited.

The Robotaxi app also includes closing times for different drop-off destinations to reduce inconveniences. The new feature warns users when visiting establishments about to close, guiding users to establishments with enough time to serve their needs. It also includes the ability to edit users’ pickup locations and destinations even after booking rides, instead of fixed default spots. 

Tesla also included the University of Texas in the service area coverage to expand the service to over 53K students. Musk’s un-billionaire-like juvenile humor, like his fixation on the marijuana-related number 420, will likely attract more students to the service’s rides priced at $4.20. The controversial billionaire investor smoked a joint in 2018 during a live podcast on “The Joe Rogan Experience.” He later posted a meme with the caption “Twitter’s next board meeting is gonna be lit.”

Robotaxi users get more tips

Tesla’s updated  Robotaxi app allows users to select their preferred cabin temperature and provides more smart tips while waiting for rides. The tips include how to operate the Model Y door handles and how the driverless vehicles’ light signals work. More smart suggestions include destinations like parks, cafes, shopping centers, restaurants, and other key locations. 

Additionally, the simple interface provides real-time updates on the arrival of their Robotaxis to help users better understand their shared ride experiences. However, customers can still not leave tips for good service.

Tesla is also laying the groundwork for future expansions, and validation vehicles have been seen in Kyle, Texas. According to the company, its engineering and validation teams continuously work on new expansions as the public receives more updated rollouts. 

However, even after expanding its service area, Tesla has not officially shared details about increasing its fleet. The electric carmakers previously claimed they had shortened the time to new deployments by streamlining the process. Tesla now ships new vehicles from the factory, installs the Robotaxi software, and places ready cars on public streets much faster. Waymo’s long mapping processes are yet to give the Robotaxi’s quick expansions any real competition.

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