Tesla overtakes Waymo in Texas as Robotaxi fleet performs shock flip

teslarati.com Nov 12, 2026

Tesla overtakes Waymo in Texas as Robotaxi fleet performs shock flip

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 12, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Tesla Robotaxi surpassed Waymo in Texas’s automated vehicle registry, recording 1,302 authorized vehicles versus Waymo’s 1,297 as of November 10, 2026. Tesla’s fleet now includes 729 Model Ys and 573 Cybercabs, following a recent addition of 20 Model Ys. Waymo’s roster is dominated by Jaguar I‑PACE and Zeekr‑based Ojai minivans. The registry reflects regulatory capacity rather than active ride volume, but signals Tesla’s rapid expansion beyond Austin into San Antonio and Dallas.

💡 Why It Matters

· The narrow lead underscores Tesla’s aggressive scaling strategy, positioning it to deploy unsupervised robotaxis across more Texas cities and potentially new states.

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Tesla extends Cybertruck production as Musk concedes ‘sentimentality’

Tesla announced an extension of Cybertruck production until the end of summer 2027 to address a large order backlog. The company has streamlined the lineup, offering only the Cyberbeast trim at $109,990 and discontinuing the All‑Wheel‑Drive and Premium All‑Wheel‑Drive models. Musk noted the decision reflects a shift toward the Cybercab and autonomous services, while factory space in Gigafactory Texas is being repurposed for this new focus. Unplugged Performance offered to continue building the Cybertruck, but Tesla appears to be ending the model on its own terms.

💡 The move signals Tesla’s prioritization of higher‑margin, service‑centric vehicles over its flagship pickup, reshaping its product strategy and potentially influencing the broader EV pickup market.

cleantechnica.com · Nov 11

Tesla Robotaxis Extend into San Antonio

Tesla expanded its robotaxi service to San Antonio, beginning operations Monday with vehicles available from 5 a.m. The service covers downtown, The Shops at La Cantera, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas on the northwest side, though the exact fleet size remains unclear. The Tesla Robotaxi webpage now lists Alamo City as an active area, yet the service does not yet reach San Antonio International Airport, a gap filled by Waymo. The move marks Tesla’s continued push into autonomous ride‑hailing markets.

💡 Tesla’s entry into San Antonio demonstrates the company’s commitment to scaling autonomous mobility beyond its core markets, potentially reshaping regional transportation dynamics.

teslarati.com · Nov 11

Tesla upfitter offers to keep Cybertruck alive

Unplugged Performance, a California‑based Tesla aftermarket specialist, publicly offered to assume production of the Cybertruck from Tesla, proposing to fund the effort through a consortium of investors. The upfitter says it would operate the line at no cost to Tesla’s facilities or staff, granting Tesla a license fee and continued revenue from Full Self‑Driving (FSD) and Robotaxi services on each vehicle. In exchange, Tesla would prioritize its Cybercab robotaxi program and receive first access to battery cells for the Cybercab, while Unplugged would build the Cybertruck, a three‑row CyberSUV and an unmanned CyberCargo hauler. The proposal comes as Tesla plans to wind down Cybertruck assembly at Gigafactory Texas by mid‑2027 to expand Cybercab output. Unplugged, known for premium upgrades and fleet versions of the Cybertruck, is seeking investor interest but has not yet secured financing.

💡 It offers Tesla a way to keep the high‑profile pickup alive without diverting resources from its autonomous‑vehicle ambitions, turning a potential cancellation into a revenue‑sharing partnership.

teslarati.com · Nov 11

Elon Musk says Tesla Cybercab future is ‘obvious to anyone with eyes…

Elon Musk announced that Tesla will discontinue the Cybertruck and repurpose its production capacity for the autonomous “Cybercab” fleet, which he claims will handle the majority of passenger miles wherever legal. The shift follows Musk’s repeated tweets emphasizing that the move is self‑evident and reflects a strategic pivot toward a ride‑hailing model rather than personal vehicle ownership. Tesla’s pilot Cybercabs, currently operating in Austin without steering wheels or pedals, have been sighted nationwide in prototype form. Musk framed the decision as difficult but necessary, positioning the Cybercab as the core of Tesla’s future autonomous transportation platform and signaling the end of the cult‑favorite truck that many fans expected to see in production.

💡 Tesla is betting on a full‑scale, driverless ride‑hailing network, reshaping how consumers will access mobility and redefining the company’s revenue focus away from vehicle sales.

teslarati.com · Nov 10

Tesla slims Cybertruck offerings to only its most expensive trim

Tesla has narrowed its Cybertruck lineup to a single, high‑price variant, the Cyberbeast, after announcing the model’s production will cease by mid‑2027. The Premium AWD trim is no longer available for order, and the remaining Cyberbeast’s price rose $7,500 to $109,990. Delivery windows have been pushed to March‑June 2027 as Giga Texas prepares for the plant’s wind‑down. Elon Musk cited the upcoming Cybercab—a two‑seat autonomous vehicle—as the strategic focus, arguing that scaling a high‑volume pickup line is impractical. Critics note the shift leaves families without a viable Tesla option, while Tesla hints that a commercial‑oriented Robovan may follow, though details remain vague. The move represents Tesla’s final push to monetize remaining demand for the iconic pickup before shuttering its production.

💡 By stripping the Cybertruck to its most expensive version, Tesla maximizes revenue from a dwindling market while clearing the way for its autonomous‑vehicle strategy.

teslarati.com · Nov 9

Tesla begins groundworks on $10B ‘Project Crystal Sun’ in Texas

Tesla has begun earthworks on a 3,000‑acre site in Fort Bend County, Texas, marking the first physical step of its $10 billion Project Crystal Sun. Drone footage released by S.E. Robinson, Jr. shows crews clearing land, staging equipment and leveling the property, while an existing homestead is being repurposed for the effort. The vertically integrated solar complex will produce silicon ingots, wafers, coated cells and finished modules, with construction slated for 2026‑2028 and commercial output targeted for the first quarter of 2029. Public filings filed in July under Texas’s Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation Act outline a workforce of 9,712 permanent jobs by 2033, rising from about 1,900 in the first year, and a peak of roughly 1,147 construction jobs. Local incentives, including school‑tax limits and county abatements that could extend equipment tax breaks for up to 35 years, have cleared major regulatory hurdles.

💡 The project positions Texas as a central hub for a fully domestic solar supply chain, accelerating U.S. renewable‑energy manufacturing capacity.