Gary Zhou 
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk urges Tesla investors to hold shares, stating in an interview: “Hold onto your Tesla stock. It’s going to be worth a lot, I think. That’s my bet.”
- Tesla stock has risen 78% over the past 5 years and over 1,800% since February 2019.
- Optimus humanoid robot eyed for tasks like childcare and elderly care, potentially Tesla’s best-selling product ever per Musk.
- Cybercab is a fully autonomous robotaxi for Tesla’s ride-hailing ambitions.
- Tesla Semi electric truck targets commercial logistics, with Europe expansion.
- Unsupervised FSD will enable full vehicle autonomy without human supervision.
- Cathie Wood of ARK Invest predicts $2,600 Tesla price target by 2030, with Optimus as a major additive.
As Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently declared in a candid interview at Giga Berlin, “Hold onto your Tesla stock. It’s going to be worth a lot, I think. That’s my bet.” ❶ ❷ This isn’t just hype from the world’s richest man—it’s backed by Tesla’s jaw-dropping track record, groundbreaking products like Optimus and Cybercab, and bold predictions from investors like Cathie Wood. In this in-depth blog post, we’ll dissect the latest developments, crunch the numbers on stock performance, explore upcoming innovations, and share my professional insights on why TSLA could be the ultimate long-term hold. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or new to the EV revolution, buckle up—this is Tesla’s story of dominance in 2026 and beyond.
Tesla’s Stock: A Rollercoaster That’s Rewarded the Patient
Tesla’s stock journey is the stuff of legend. Back in February 2019, TSLA closed at around $21.33 per share (split-adjusted). ❸ Fast-forward to today, with shares trading near $402–$411, that’s an staggering 1,800%+ gain over seven years. ❹ Even over the past five years, despite market volatility, Tesla has delivered approximately 78% returns, outpacing the S&P 500 by a wide margin. ❺
Here’s a quick breakdown of key milestones:
| Period | Starting Price (Split-Adj.) | Current/End Price | Total Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2019 | ~$21.33 ❸ | ~$402 ❹ | +1,800%+ |
| Past 5 Years | ~$225 (2021 avg.) | ~$402 | +78% |
| Past Year | N/A | +37.38% ❻ | Outperforms market |
Insight: Volatility is Tesla’s middle name—dips like the recent 6.71% four-week pullback are buying opportunities for long-term holders. ❻ Musk’s recent nudge aligns with his vision of “Tesla factories on the moon in 20 years,” signaling multi-decade growth potential. ❷ My advice? Dollar-cost average during corrections; history shows patience pays off handsomely.
The Game-Changers: Optimus and Cybercab – Tesla’s Shift to Robotics and Autonomy
Tesla isn’t just an automaker anymore—it’s becoming a robotics and AI powerhouse. Two products stand out: Optimus, the humanoid robot, and Cybercab, the autonomous robotaxi.
Optimus: The Humanoid Revolution Poised for 2026 Mass Production
Elon Musk has called Optimus “potentially Tesla’s best-selling product ever,” targeting mundane tasks like childcare, elderly care, factory work, and more. ❼ Latest updates are electric:
- Human-Level Proficiency by 2026? Tesla aims for Optimus to match human dexterity soon, with Gen 3 mass production rumored to kick off this year. ❽ ❾
- Production Ramp: Fremont factory shifting from EVs to robots; Giga Berlin next in line alongside Cybercab. ❿
- Europe Bound: Musk confirmed Optimus deployment plans, including factories in Germany. ⓫
Opinion: Optimus could unlock trillions in value. Imagine billions of robots handling labor shortages—ARK Invest sees it as a massive “additive” to their models. Early adopters (Tesla factories first) will provide real-world data, accelerating iteration. Risk: Technical hurdles remain, but Tesla’s AI edge (from FSD) gives it a lead over competitors like Figure or Boston Dynamics.
Cybercab: Fully Autonomous Robotaxi Redefining Mobility
The Cybercab is Tesla’s two-seater, no-steering-wheel beast for ride-hailing. ⓬ Production has reportedly begun, with the first unit off the line. ⓭
Key specs and updates:
- Range & Charging: 200–300 miles, wireless inductive charging (35–60 kWh battery). ⓭ ⓮
- Price: Potentially under $30k at scale. ⓯
- Global Rollout: Giga Berlin production for Europe; unsupervised rides already tested in Austin. ⓫ ⓰
Insight: Cybercab + FSD = Uber-killer. Cathie Wood predicts it adds 10x value by 2030. ⓱ Regulatory wins (e.g., FSD approval in Holland soon) will turbocharge this. ⓫
Broader Ecosystem: Tesla Semi Hits Europe, Unsupervised FSD Nears Reality
- Tesla Semi: Targeting commercial logistics, with Europe expansion eyed for 2027. Megacharger network groundwork laid—expect Volvo Trucks to feel the heat. ⓲ ⓳
- Unsupervised FSD: Tesla’s fleet has logged 8+ billion miles, proving safer than humans (one crash per 8.2M miles vs. human benchmarks). ⓴[21] Robotaxi ops in Austin sans safety drivers; v14+ closing in on full autonomy.[22]
Cathie Wood’s $2,600 Prophecy: Bull Case for 2030
ARK Invest’s Cathie Wood maintains a $2,600 price target by 2029/2030, implying 6x upside from here. Breakdown:
- 90% from robotaxis.
- Optimus as “major additive”—not even fully baked in yet.[23][24]
- Confidence rising post-earnings.[25]
My Take: Wood’s models are aggressive but grounded in Tesla’s data moat. If Optimus scales, $2,600 is conservative—Musk’s abundance vision (free energy, robots everywhere) could 10x that.[26]
Final Thoughts: Should You Hold (or Buy) Tesla Stock?
Tesla’s trifecta—EVs, autonomy, robotics—positions it for exponential growth. Risks? Regulation, competition, execution slips. But Musk’s track record and 1,800% historical returns scream “buy the dip.”
Actionable Advice:
- Hold Core Position: Echoing Musk, don’t sell—aim for 5–10 year horizon.
- Diversify Smartly: 5–10% portfolio allocation max.
- Watch Milestones: Optimus production, FSD approvals, Semi EU launch.
- Related Deep Dives: Explore Optimus specs, Wood’s full model, stock charts.
Tesla isn’t a car company; it’s the future. Hold tight—the ride’s just starting.
