Intro

Tesla initiated deployment of its newest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version 13 to employees and select customers during the weekend, propelling the company's stock value higher in Monday trading. The electric vehicle manufacturer's shares rose 3.2% to $356.07, extending a remarkable 37% increase since the November 5th presidential election results.

The latest FSD upgrade promises substantial improvements in autonomous driving capabilities, with Tesla forecasting a sixfold reduction in required driver interventions per mile traveled. Early demonstrations of version 13.2 revealed enhanced functionalities, including the system's ability to navigate from parking spot to parking spot with minimal human interaction. Tesla's artificial intelligence division announced the update through its social media account on X, stating "New brain who dis."

Investment firm Stifel demonstrated confidence in Tesla's autonomous driving trajectory by substantially increasing its stock price target from $287 to $411. The adjustment primarily stems from analysts' optimistic outlook regarding the company's robotaxi program, dubbed Cybercab, and continued advancement in self-driving technology. This assessment comes despite maintaining steady EBITDA projections for 2024-2025 and reducing expectations for 2026.

Financial analysts at Roth MKM upgraded Tesla's stock rating from neutral to buy, establishing a new price target of $380, significantly higher than their previous $80 target. The firm's analysis suggests that CEO Elon Musk's public support for former President Trump has expanded Tesla's consumer base and strengthened confidence in potential market growth.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk projected achievement of genuine autonomous driving capability by mid-2025, focusing initially on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in California and Texas. During Tesla's third-quarter earnings call, Musk acknowledged his tendency to provide optimistic timelines while also revealing potential hardware limitations in vehicles equipped with Hardware 3.0, promising free upgrades if necessary.

Early user feedback from experienced FSD testers indicates substantial improvements in the system's performance. Veteran tester @DirtyTesla reported successful navigation through snow-covered dirt roads with complete autonomy, while @AIDRIVR noted superior ride smoothness compared to professional ride-sharing services.

The technical implementation of FSD version 13.2 demonstrates notable advancements in practical functionality. Tesla Autopilot Engineer Arek Sredzki emphasized the system's comprehensive Park-to-Park capability, allowing vehicles to complete entire journeys with minimal driver input beyond initial destination selection.

Market analysts attribute Tesla's recent stock performance partially to expectations of a more favorable regulatory environment under a potential Trump administration. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives suggested that Trump's presidency could expedite the implementation timeline for autonomous driving technologies, potentially advancing goals originally set for 2026-2027.

The company's strategic positioning includes aggressive sales initiatives, particularly in the United States market. Tesla recently introduced year-end discounts on Model Y vehicles as part of its effort to achieve record-breaking quarterly deliveries, with analyst consensus projecting 498,000 vehicle deliveries in Q4.