U.S. EV sales remain depressed, but Tesla’s market share has recovered from its 2025 nadir
By Christopher Otts
The driver-assistance software will be Tesla’s main selling point for the foreseeable future, said independent consultant John Murphy, a former Bank of America autos analyst. While Tesla overhauled its two volume vehicles, Models 3 and Y, in recent years, neither are totally new from the ground up. The automaker has shown little interest in building out a wider lineup of new cars.“The perceived unique feature of FSD is the significant focal point now in their auto business,” he said. “Refreshing products and running a traditional consumer retail play is completely off the table at this point.”
DAVID PAUL MORRIS/BLOOMBERG NEWS
Even as Tesla continues to promote robotics, AI and autonomy as the future of its business, its grip on the U.S. EV market is unlikely to subside in the next five years, Murphy said. Mainstream automakers aren’t likely to rush back into EVs without significant advancements in battery technology or an abrupt reversal of federal regulations, he said.
“Without a change in the regulatory regime, it’s really a Tesla story,” Murphy said.