Episode
Tesla’s $1.6T Mystery, China’s EV Surge & the Robotaxi Reality Check | At The Wheel #18
- Published
- Mar 17, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3332
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- https://www.atthewheel.co/p/teslas-16t-mystery-chinas-ev-surge
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Summary
In Episode 18 of At The Wheel , Joe White and Tu Le are joined by Alan Ohnsman, Senior Editor at Forbes , to break down the evolving story of Tesla — from its early days as a Silicon Valley startup to its current position as one of the most valuable companies in the world. Alan shares firsthand stories from the earliest days of Tesla, including the company’s debut in 2006 and the pivotal investments from Daimler and Toyota that helped it survive its early financial struggles. The discussion then shifts to Tesla’s present challenges and the rapidly changing global EV landscape. Joe, Tu, and Alan analyze: * Why Tesla’s EV sales are slowing despite its massive valuation * The role of China’s EV industry and companies like BYD in reshaping the market * Whether Tesla’s shift toward AI, robotaxis, and humanoid robots is a visionary strategy or a risky pivot * The growing competition in autonomous driving from Waymo, Zoox, Waabi, and Chinese companies * The economics of the robotaxi business and why it may not be as profitable as many investors believe * Tesla’s expanding battery storage and energy business , which could become a major growth engine * How EV supply chains, battery technology, and energy markets are becoming central to the future of transportation The conversation also explores the broader transformation of the auto industry, where software, batteries, and energy infrastructure may ultimately matter more than cars themselves. As Tesla evolves from an EV disruptor into a broader technology company, the question becomes: Is Tesla still an automaker — or something entirely different? 🔎 SEO Keywords for Discoverability Tesla valuation Tesla robotaxi strategy Tesla AI pivot BYD electric vehicles China EV industry EV supply chain robotaxi competition Waymo autonomou…