Tesla Expected to Elevate an Internal Candidate to CEO if Elon Musk Departs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 28 2025
0mins
Should l Buy TSLA?
Source: TipRanks
Musk's Pay Package Vote: Tesla is preparing for the possibility of CEO Elon Musk stepping down if shareholders reject his proposed $1 trillion pay package, which would grant him a 25% stake in the company upon achieving performance goals.
Board's Succession Plan: If Musk leaves, Tesla's board plans to promote a new CEO from within, with global production chief Tom Zhu as a potential candidate, while also considering outside options.
Investor Engagement: The board is actively engaging with large and retail investors ahead of the Nov. 6 vote, despite proxy advisers recommending against the pay package, which adds pressure to secure support.
Analyst Ratings and Stock Outlook: Analysts have a Hold consensus rating on TSLA stock, with an average price target of $383.66 per share, indicating a potential downside risk of 16.4%.
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Analyst Views on TSLA
Wall Street analysts forecast TSLA stock price to rise
30 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
11 Hold
7 Sell
Hold
Current: 398.680
Low
25.28
Averages
401.93
High
600.00
Current: 398.680
Low
25.28
Averages
401.93
High
600.00
About TSLA
Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, sells and leases high-performance fully electric vehicles and energy generation and storage systems, and offers services related to its products. Its segments include automotive, and energy generation and storage. The automotive segment includes the design, development, manufacturing, sales and leasing of high-performance fully electric vehicles, and sales of automotive regulatory credits. It also includes sales of used vehicles, non-warranty maintenance services and collisions, part sales, paid supercharging, insurance services revenue and retail merchandise sales. The energy generation and storage segment include the design, manufacture, installation, sales and leasing of solar energy generation and energy storage products and related services and sales of solar energy systems incentives. Its consumer vehicles include the Model 3, Y, S, X and Cybertruck. Its lithium-ion battery energy storage products include Powerwall and Megapack.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Increased Market Competition: Tesla plans to discontinue the Model X and Model S in 2026 to focus on higher-volume models like the Model Y and Model 3, yet faces intensified competition from low-cost manufacturers like BYD, which has rapidly gained market share.
- Future Product Uncertainty: While Tesla's Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot are seen as promising future products, the current approval of FSD technology only in Texas poses significant delays for broader rollout, potentially impacting future revenue streams.
- Valuation Concerns: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 377, Tesla's stock is significantly overvalued compared to other trillion-dollar companies, and if EV sales continue to decline or if there are delays in new product launches, a 34% drop in stock price could lead to Tesla exiting the $1 trillion club by 2026.
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- Declining Sales: Tesla delivered 1.79 million EVs in 2024, a 1% decline, followed by a sharper 9% drop to 1.63 million in 2025, leading to a 10% decrease in automotive revenue and a staggering 47% plunge in earnings per share (EPS), highlighting the weakness in its core business.
- Increased Market Competition: Tesla plans to discontinue the Model X and Model S in 2026 to focus on more competitive, lower-priced models like the Model Y and Model 3, in response to market encroachment from low-cost manufacturers like BYD, which outsold Tesla globally for the first time in 2025.
- Future Product Uncertainty: While Tesla's Cybercab and Optimus robots are seen as future growth opportunities, the FSD technology is currently only approved for use in Austin, Texas, and broader rollout faces strict regulations, potentially delaying product launches and impacting investor confidence.
- Significant Valuation Risks: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 377, Tesla's stock is vastly overvalued compared to the Nasdaq-100 index; a 34% decline in stock price would drop it out of the $1 trillion club, with significant risks of adjustment if EV sales continue to decline or product rollouts are delayed.
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- Positive Market Reaction: Tesla's shares rose nearly 1% in Tuesday's pre-market trading, reflecting investor optimism regarding the collaboration with Alphabet, as retail sentiment around TSLA stock trended towards 'extremely bullish' on trading platforms.
- Alphabet's Stock Fluctuation: In contrast, Alphabet's Class A shares experienced a slight decline of about 0.3% during the same period, suggesting a cautious market outlook on its role and potential benefits from the partnership, which may impact its short-term stock performance.
- Future Energy Market Implications: This collaboration not only enhances the influence of both companies in the energy sector but also has the potential to drive broader industry changes, promoting the use of renewable energy and improving grid efficiency, thereby laying the groundwork for future sustainable development.
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See More
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- Declining Sales: Tesla delivered 1.63 million EVs in 2025, a 9% drop from 2024, leading to a 10% decline in automotive revenue and a significant 47% impact on earnings, highlighting the vulnerability of its core business.
- Intensifying Competition: By phasing out the Model X and Model S, Tesla aims to focus on higher-volume models like the Model Y and Model 3 to counter competition from low-cost manufacturers like BYD, which outsold Tesla globally for the first time in 2025.
- Future Product Potential: While Tesla's Cybercab and Optimus robots could generate high-margin revenue streams, regulatory hurdles for FSD technology may delay the Cybercab's rollout, impacting future revenue growth.
- Significant Valuation Risks: With a P/E ratio of 377, Tesla's stock is heavily overvalued compared to other trillion-dollar companies, and if EV sales continue to decline, a 34% drop in stock price could lead to its exit from the trillion-dollar club.
See More
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- Oil Price Forecast Drop: Wood predicts that as the Middle East transitions into the electric vehicle realm, oil prices could plummet from the current $90 to below $50 per barrel, potentially disrupting traditional energy markets significantly.
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See More
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- Declining Sales: Tesla delivered 1.79 million EVs in 2024, a 1% decline from the previous year, and further dropped to 1.63 million in 2025, marking a 9% year-over-year decrease, which led to a 10% drop in automotive revenue and a staggering 47% plunge in earnings per share (EPS) for 2025.
- Increased Market Competition: Tesla plans to discontinue the Model X and Model S in 2026 to focus on higher-volume models like the Model Y and Model 3, yet faces intensified competition from low-cost manufacturers like BYD, which has rapidly gained market share.
- Future Product Uncertainty: While Tesla's Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot are seen as promising future products, the current approval of FSD technology only in Texas poses significant delays for broader rollout, potentially impacting future revenue streams.
- Valuation Concerns: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 377, Tesla's stock is significantly overvalued compared to other trillion-dollar companies, and if EV sales continue to decline or if there are delays in new product launches, a 34% drop in stock price could lead to Tesla exiting the $1 trillion club by 2026.
See More
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- Declining Sales: Tesla delivered 1.79 million EVs in 2024, a 1% decline, followed by a sharper 9% drop to 1.63 million in 2025, leading to a 10% decrease in automotive revenue and a staggering 47% plunge in earnings per share (EPS), highlighting the weakness in its core business.
- Increased Market Competition: Tesla plans to discontinue the Model X and Model S in 2026 to focus on more competitive, lower-priced models like the Model Y and Model 3, in response to market encroachment from low-cost manufacturers like BYD, which outsold Tesla globally for the first time in 2025.
- Future Product Uncertainty: While Tesla's Cybercab and Optimus robots are seen as future growth opportunities, the FSD technology is currently only approved for use in Austin, Texas, and broader rollout faces strict regulations, potentially delaying product launches and impacting investor confidence.
- Significant Valuation Risks: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 377, Tesla's stock is vastly overvalued compared to the Nasdaq-100 index; a 34% decline in stock price would drop it out of the $1 trillion club, with significant risks of adjustment if EV sales continue to decline or product rollouts are delayed.
See More
Tesla and Alphabet Collaborate on Energy Affordability Initiative
- Collaborative Energy Initiative: Tesla and Alphabet have formed a new coalition called Utilize, aimed at leveraging underused electricity grid capacity to tackle growing concerns over energy affordability, indicating a strategic partnership in the sustainable energy sector.
- Positive Market Reaction: Tesla's shares rose nearly 1% in Tuesday's pre-market trading, reflecting investor optimism regarding the collaboration with Alphabet, as retail sentiment around TSLA stock trended towards 'extremely bullish' on trading platforms.
- Alphabet's Stock Fluctuation: In contrast, Alphabet's Class A shares experienced a slight decline of about 0.3% during the same period, suggesting a cautious market outlook on its role and potential benefits from the partnership, which may impact its short-term stock performance.
- Future Energy Market Implications: This collaboration not only enhances the influence of both companies in the energy sector but also has the potential to drive broader industry changes, promoting the use of renewable energy and improving grid efficiency, thereby laying the groundwork for future sustainable development.
See More
Tesla Shares Climb as Battery Supplier Reports Strong Earnings.
Tesla Stock Performance: Tesla's stock experienced an increase early Tuesday.
Battery Supplier Earnings: The rise in Tesla's stock coincided with positive earnings reports from its battery supplier, which exceeded expectations.
See More
Tesla May Drop Out of $1 Trillion Club by 2026
- Declining Sales: Tesla delivered 1.63 million EVs in 2025, a 9% drop from 2024, leading to a 10% decline in automotive revenue and a significant 47% impact on earnings, highlighting the vulnerability of its core business.
- Intensifying Competition: By phasing out the Model X and Model S, Tesla aims to focus on higher-volume models like the Model Y and Model 3 to counter competition from low-cost manufacturers like BYD, which outsold Tesla globally for the first time in 2025.
- Future Product Potential: While Tesla's Cybercab and Optimus robots could generate high-margin revenue streams, regulatory hurdles for FSD technology may delay the Cybercab's rollout, impacting future revenue growth.
- Significant Valuation Risks: With a P/E ratio of 377, Tesla's stock is heavily overvalued compared to other trillion-dollar companies, and if EV sales continue to decline, a 34% drop in stock price could lead to its exit from the trillion-dollar club.
See More
Wood Predicts Major Shift in Global Markets
- Iran Situation Eases: Wood highlights a 90% drop in Iranian missile and drone activity, indicating a significant weakening of the regime, which is expected to ease geopolitical tensions and stabilize global markets.
- Oil Price Forecast Drop: Wood predicts that as the Middle East transitions into the electric vehicle realm, oil prices could plummet from the current $90 to below $50 per barrel, potentially disrupting traditional energy markets significantly.
- Tech Economy Rise: Wood views Iran's young, educated population as a 'coiled spring' ready to join the global tech economy once freed from repression, which could drive rapid advancements in technology and innovation.
- Tesla and Palantir Performance: Tesla's stock has declined 11.35% year-to-date, while Palantir has dropped 11.99%, indicating both companies face short-term price trend challenges despite strong long-term performance outlooks.
See More
