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-The comparison between Ford (Nyse: f) and Tesla (Nasdaq: tsla) is precious and valid because it talks about the place where the automotive industry is directed and highlights the relative position of each company when it goes to electric vehicles and robotaxis. Whether it is an inherited car manufacturer (Ford) or a dedicated battery electric vehicle company (Tesla), the main opportunities and challenges are the same. So what company is the best placed to prosper in the future?
Tesla’s launch of its full -fledged robotaxi (FSD) is sometimes considered a tactical movement as its electric vehicle (EV)) Sales and market shares are under pressure in 2025, but nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is that the main car manufacturers, including Ford, and the main technological companies have invested billions in robotaxis and autonomous driving, and it is an integral part of the future of the automotive industry.
The reason for the investment is a recognition that robotaxis has enormous profit potential, in particular because they offer a long flow of recurring income from driving income by Mile.
Another reality is that electric vehicles are not cheap, and if they are the future of the automotive industry, car manufacturers must make them more affordable. They must also offer a robotaxis to make mobility more affordable.
However, don’t believe me. Here is the CEO of Ford Jim Farley in 2019 On autonomous driving and robotaxis: “The autonomous system is incredibly important to develop, but it is only part of the creation of a safe and scalable autonomous driving service that consumers can trust.” Farley then described a calendar for a “commercial self-commission service” in 2021, which Ford would not manage to achieve.
As for affordable electric vehicles, last year, Farley reiterated the need to offer smaller and more affordable electric vehicles to reach profitability as a manufacturer of electric vehicles.
Image source: Getty Images.
Both things are strongly linked. You cannot have Robotaxi electric vehicles if the vehicles are not affordable. This is a point that resonated during a recent CNBC interview with Waymo, which already has a Robotaxi service, but the CO-PDG Tekedra Mawakana refused to describe a calendar for the profitability of the company. Waymo’s lack of profitability means its owner, Alphabetwill have to invest significant sums, at a loss, if it wants Waymo to increase the scale. This creates an enormous opportunity for a company like Tesla which has just entered the market and potentially offers a much more commercial and scalable service.
Tesla’s advantage in scaling robotaxis lies in its ability to transform existing Tesla vehicles into robotaxis, as well as its ability to produce a dedicated robotaxis, cybercab. Unlike Waymo, Tesla does not need to associate with car manufacturers to build the scale. In addition, Musk revealed that Tesla had discussions on the license of her FSD to other car manufacturers – another way to long -term profitability.
I will cut in pursuit. If Tesla can do automated driving and robotaxy work, there is only one winner here, and it’s Tesla.
First, Ford is far from having a profitable electric vehicle company. For example, its model of model E lost $ 5.1 billion in 2024, then $ 849 million in the first quarter of 2025. Ford sold 2,550 electric vehicles in the first quarter, which implies that it lost nearly $ 38,000 on each EV sold. In addition, its EV models, the Mustang Mach-E, the F-150 Lightning and the E-Transit, are far from affordable electric vehicles.
On the other hand, Tesla generated $ 7.1 billion in operating profits in 2024. Despite the loss of market share in the mid -sales, it has always dominated the American market, holding 43.5% of the market in the first quarter of 2025. Ford was a distant second with 7.7%.
Image source: Getty Images.
Ford and Tesla plan to publish low -cost models in the future, but given the losses during Ford, Tesla’s profitability, and its capacity to reduce its cost per average car, compared to $ 38,000 at the start of 2023 at less than $ 35,000 at the end of 2024, the latter seems to be much better positioned to do it in a sustainable manner.
Ford fell for its Robotaxi / FSD plans in 2022, after the Argo AI stop by Ford and Volkswagen After years of intense investment. The company had been created to develop technology and received billions of dollars in Ford and Volkswagen investment. For reference, General Motors also ended the development of Robotaxi.
On the other hand, Tesla is preparing for the official launch of its FSD / Robotaxi service not supervised in Austin, Texas, this month, and it can be live when you read this article. Although the launch is small and very contained, it always marks the birth of the Robotaxi de Tesla offer. Musk thinks Tesla will have a low -cost robotaxi, cybercab, in volume production by 2026.
Indeed, Ford could end with the granting of Tesla FSD licenses, and to its large credit, Farley indicated an opening to the partnership on FSD.
Image source: Getty Images.
There is no guarantee that the Robotaxi or the Tesla FSD will succeed and that investors must closely monitor the events. In addition, Musk has a story of being too optimistic about such questions.
That said, the main car manufacturers have been and always pursue the idea of electric vehicles and Robotaxis at a lower cost and automated driving, and currently, Tesla remains the most positioned company to achieve these objectives. This is where industry wants to be, and Tesla is in pole position.
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Suzanne Frey, director of Alphabet, is a member of the board of directors of Motley Fool’s. Lee Samaha Has no position in the actions mentioned. The madword of the Motley has positions and recommends Alphabet and Tesla. The Word’s madman has a Disclosure policy.
