Tesla Inc. (TSLA) Granted NHTSA Extension Until February 23, 2026 for Traffic Violation Review
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 16 2026
0mins
Should l Buy TSLA?
Source: stocktwits
- Extension Granted: Tesla has been granted an extension by the NHTSA to submit its findings on potential traffic violations, moving the deadline from January 19 to February 23, 2026, due to overlapping holiday periods that hindered information processing, highlighting the company's challenges in meeting regulatory demands.
- Manual Review Requirement: The company indicated that it requires an additional five weeks to manually review the 8,313 potential traffic violation records, with a current processing capacity of 300 records per day, which could impact Tesla's reputation regarding safety compliance.
- FSD Sales Model Change: CEO Elon Musk announced that starting February 14, Tesla will cease standalone sales of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, transitioning to a subscription-only model at $99 per month, a strategic shift that may affect future revenue streams.
- Market Reaction: Despite a 2% decline in TSLA stock year-to-date, the stock has risen 2% over the past 12 months, reflecting cautious optimism in the market regarding the company's long-term prospects, particularly in light of the upcoming FSD transition.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy TSLA?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on TSLA
Wall Street analysts forecast TSLA stock price to rise
30 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
11 Hold
7 Sell
Hold
Current: 399.830
Low
25.28
Averages
401.93
High
600.00
Current: 399.830
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.
Tesla's Cybertruck Price Cut Strategy to Boost Sales
- Price Cut Strategy: Tesla's Cybertruck dual motor all-wheel drive version is currently priced at $59,990, with CEO Elon Musk indicating this promotion lasts only 10 days, aimed at reviving sales that have declined due to the end of federal EV tax credits, although a price increase may follow.
- Significant Sales Decline: Cybertruck sales dropped from 39,965 units in 2024 to 20,237 units in 2025, marking a 48% year-over-year decrease, indicating weak market demand and necessitating a reassessment of production plans to address lower-than-expected demand.
- Production Capacity Adjustments: Musk initially planned for an annual production of 250,000 Cybertrucks, but current demand is less than 10% of that target, and Tesla faces challenges in balancing resources between producing the Optimus Bot humanoid robot and the Cybertruck.
- International Market Expansion: The Cybertruck has recently begun sales in international markets, yet Tesla must closely monitor actual demand growth and consider whether to publicly share sales figures to bolster market confidence.
See More
Tesla Announces Upcoming Price Hike for Cybertruck Base Model
- Price Hike Announcement: Tesla has announced that the price for its Cybertruck base model (Dual Motor AWD) will increase after February 28, currently starting at $59,990, without revealing the new price, indicating the company's cautious stance on market demand.
- Weak Demand Impact: Despite Musk's prediction of up to 500,000 annual Cybertruck sales, actual sales in 2025 were only 50,850 units, reflecting lower-than-expected market acceptance, which could adversely affect Tesla's overall performance.
- Product Design Controversy: The Cybertruck's angular design has sparked mixed opinions, with some consumers deeming it unattractive, potentially impacting purchase decisions, especially given its higher-than-expected price compared to the 2019 unveiling.
- Market Sentiment Analysis: Although TSLA stock has gained 24% over the past year, retail sentiment on Stocktwits remains in the 'bullish' territory, suggesting investors are cautiously optimistic about future performance.
See More
Lucid Group Faces AI Competition Challenges
- Market Competition Pressure: With a market cap of $3.1 billion, Lucid Group significantly lags behind Tesla's $1 trillion valuation, indicating its insufficient competitiveness in the EV market, particularly in AI technology investment, which poses long-term investment risks.
- Sales Model Transformation: Lucid aims for 20% of its revenue from vehicle sales and 80% from software sales; however, the lack of strong technological appeal makes it difficult to attract other automakers, limiting its market potential.
- Insufficient AI Investment: Compared to Tesla and Rivian, Lucid's limited financial power restricts its ability to invest in AI, and its delay in launching vehicles priced under $50,000 hampers its scalability and data generation capabilities.
- Survival Strategy Challenges: Lucid's survival hinges on supplying its tech stack to automakers without internal systems, but fierce competition from numerous startups makes it challenging, and the absence of a clear path to AI or autonomous driving dominance necessitates cautious investor sentiment regarding its long-term outlook.
See More
Keystone Financial Group Increases Stake in VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF
- Share Acquisition: Keystone Financial Group purchased an additional 269,496 shares of VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF in Q4 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $10.34 million, indicating strong confidence in the ETF's performance.
- AUM Adjustment: Following this acquisition, VFLO's share of Keystone's assets under management decreased to 3.05% from 3.82% in the previous quarter, reflecting a strategic reallocation within the overall investment portfolio.
- ETF Performance: As of February 5, 2026, VFLO shares were priced at $39.38, representing a 12.0% increase over the past year, although slightly underperforming the S&P 500, highlighting the importance of stable cash flow characteristics in the current economic climate.
- Investment Strategy Benefits: VFLO focuses on tracking 50 U.S. large- and mid-cap companies with strong free cash flow, offering transparent passive management with a 1.58% annualized dividend yield, providing investors with a relatively safe investment option amid high interest rates and economic uncertainty.
See More
Microsoft Partners with SpaceX to Expand Global Connectivity
- Global Connectivity Partnership: Microsoft announced a collaboration with SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to enhance global internet coverage through low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity and community deployment models, indicating its willingness to collaborate within Elon Musk's business ecosystem.
- Kenya Community Connectivity: Microsoft plans to work with Starlink and an internet service provider in Kenya to connect 450 community hubs, a move that will not only improve local internet access but also increase demand for SpaceX, further driving its business growth.
- Market Expansion Potential: This partnership could open new market opportunities for SpaceX, especially in light of its existing contracts with the Department of Defense and NASA, potentially supporting its future IPO plans and boosting investor confidence.
- Technology Accessibility Goals: Microsoft set a goal in 2022 to provide internet access to over 250 million people by the end of 2025, and it has already extended coverage to over 299 million people, demonstrating its proactive role and strategic positioning in the global digital transformation.
See More
Ford Issues Recall Amid Safety Concerns and EV Market Trends
- Market Trends: Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) indicates that while battery-electric vehicles are gaining market share, new car registrations in the EU declined in January, highlighting the competitive pressures traditional automakers like Ford face in the EV transition.
- Ford Recall: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on February 20 a potential issue with rear suspension components in Explorer models produced between 2017 and 2019, which could lead to loss of steering control and increased crash risk.
- Recall Details: The recall, numbered 26S08, addresses the risk of rear toe link fractures, with Ford planning to begin mailing repair instructions to affected owners in early March, expanding upon a previous recall campaign.
- Stock Performance: At the time of publication, Ford shares rose 4.44% to $14.24, nearing their 52-week high of $14.50, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the company's future prospects.
See More
Tesla's Cybertruck Price Cut Strategy to Boost Sales
- Price Cut Strategy: Tesla's Cybertruck dual motor all-wheel drive version is currently priced at $59,990, with CEO Elon Musk indicating this promotion lasts only 10 days, aimed at reviving sales that have declined due to the end of federal EV tax credits, although a price increase may follow.
- Significant Sales Decline: Cybertruck sales dropped from 39,965 units in 2024 to 20,237 units in 2025, marking a 48% year-over-year decrease, indicating weak market demand and necessitating a reassessment of production plans to address lower-than-expected demand.
- Production Capacity Adjustments: Musk initially planned for an annual production of 250,000 Cybertrucks, but current demand is less than 10% of that target, and Tesla faces challenges in balancing resources between producing the Optimus Bot humanoid robot and the Cybertruck.
- International Market Expansion: The Cybertruck has recently begun sales in international markets, yet Tesla must closely monitor actual demand growth and consider whether to publicly share sales figures to bolster market confidence.
See More
Tesla Announces Upcoming Price Hike for Cybertruck Base Model
- Price Hike Announcement: Tesla has announced that the price for its Cybertruck base model (Dual Motor AWD) will increase after February 28, currently starting at $59,990, without revealing the new price, indicating the company's cautious stance on market demand.
- Weak Demand Impact: Despite Musk's prediction of up to 500,000 annual Cybertruck sales, actual sales in 2025 were only 50,850 units, reflecting lower-than-expected market acceptance, which could adversely affect Tesla's overall performance.
- Product Design Controversy: The Cybertruck's angular design has sparked mixed opinions, with some consumers deeming it unattractive, potentially impacting purchase decisions, especially given its higher-than-expected price compared to the 2019 unveiling.
- Market Sentiment Analysis: Although TSLA stock has gained 24% over the past year, retail sentiment on Stocktwits remains in the 'bullish' territory, suggesting investors are cautiously optimistic about future performance.
See More
Lucid Group Faces AI Competition Challenges
- Market Competition Pressure: With a market cap of $3.1 billion, Lucid Group significantly lags behind Tesla's $1 trillion valuation, indicating its insufficient competitiveness in the EV market, particularly in AI technology investment, which poses long-term investment risks.
- Sales Model Transformation: Lucid aims for 20% of its revenue from vehicle sales and 80% from software sales; however, the lack of strong technological appeal makes it difficult to attract other automakers, limiting its market potential.
- Insufficient AI Investment: Compared to Tesla and Rivian, Lucid's limited financial power restricts its ability to invest in AI, and its delay in launching vehicles priced under $50,000 hampers its scalability and data generation capabilities.
- Survival Strategy Challenges: Lucid's survival hinges on supplying its tech stack to automakers without internal systems, but fierce competition from numerous startups makes it challenging, and the absence of a clear path to AI or autonomous driving dominance necessitates cautious investor sentiment regarding its long-term outlook.
See More
Keystone Financial Group Increases Stake in VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF
- Share Acquisition: Keystone Financial Group purchased an additional 269,496 shares of VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF in Q4 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $10.34 million, indicating strong confidence in the ETF's performance.
- AUM Adjustment: Following this acquisition, VFLO's share of Keystone's assets under management decreased to 3.05% from 3.82% in the previous quarter, reflecting a strategic reallocation within the overall investment portfolio.
- ETF Performance: As of February 5, 2026, VFLO shares were priced at $39.38, representing a 12.0% increase over the past year, although slightly underperforming the S&P 500, highlighting the importance of stable cash flow characteristics in the current economic climate.
- Investment Strategy Benefits: VFLO focuses on tracking 50 U.S. large- and mid-cap companies with strong free cash flow, offering transparent passive management with a 1.58% annualized dividend yield, providing investors with a relatively safe investment option amid high interest rates and economic uncertainty.
See More
Microsoft Partners with SpaceX to Expand Global Connectivity
- Global Connectivity Partnership: Microsoft announced a collaboration with SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to enhance global internet coverage through low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity and community deployment models, indicating its willingness to collaborate within Elon Musk's business ecosystem.
- Kenya Community Connectivity: Microsoft plans to work with Starlink and an internet service provider in Kenya to connect 450 community hubs, a move that will not only improve local internet access but also increase demand for SpaceX, further driving its business growth.
- Market Expansion Potential: This partnership could open new market opportunities for SpaceX, especially in light of its existing contracts with the Department of Defense and NASA, potentially supporting its future IPO plans and boosting investor confidence.
- Technology Accessibility Goals: Microsoft set a goal in 2022 to provide internet access to over 250 million people by the end of 2025, and it has already extended coverage to over 299 million people, demonstrating its proactive role and strategic positioning in the global digital transformation.
See More
Ford Issues Recall Amid Safety Concerns and EV Market Trends
- Market Trends: Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) indicates that while battery-electric vehicles are gaining market share, new car registrations in the EU declined in January, highlighting the competitive pressures traditional automakers like Ford face in the EV transition.
- Ford Recall: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on February 20 a potential issue with rear suspension components in Explorer models produced between 2017 and 2019, which could lead to loss of steering control and increased crash risk.
- Recall Details: The recall, numbered 26S08, addresses the risk of rear toe link fractures, with Ford planning to begin mailing repair instructions to affected owners in early March, expanding upon a previous recall campaign.
- Stock Performance: At the time of publication, Ford shares rose 4.44% to $14.24, nearing their 52-week high of $14.50, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the company's future prospects.
See More
