WORLD NEWS

Elon Musk reaffirmed his commitment to leading Tesla (TSLA.O) for at least another five years, quashing recent rumors about a potential leadership change. Speaking at an economic forum in Qatar on Tuesday, Musk emphasized that maintaining reasonable control over Tesla was his top priority in deciding to stay at the helm.
“Yes, no doubt about that at all,” Musk said when asked if he planned to remain Tesla’s CEO. The comments briefly lifted Tesla’s shares by 3.3%, although gains later trimmed to about 1%. Despite this, the stock remains down 15% for the year.
Earlier this month, Tesla’s chair Robyn Denholm denied reports from the Wall Street Journal that the board had contacted executive search firms seeking Musk’s successor.
Musk also highlighted Tesla’s recovery in sales, noting strong demand outside Europe, despite protests related to his political views in that region. Tesla reported a 13% drop in first-quarter deliveries, with some investors cautious about a potential further decline in 2025, driven by political backlash and customers awaiting cheaper versions of the redesigned Model Y, Tesla’s best-selling model.
On another front, Musk revealed his internet satellite service Starlink might pursue an initial public offering in the future but said there was no urgency. Starlink, which now operates in over 70 countries, is expanding rapidly, particularly targeting emerging markets like India.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Musk advocated for some US regulations but warned against overregulation that could stifle innovation. His AI company xAI is expanding its data center capabilities, raising billions to train more advanced AI models. Its Memphis-based supercomputer cluster, “Colossus,” is promoted as the world’s largest.
As Musk continues to balance his roles in electric vehicles, satellite internet, and AI, his statements signal a strategic focus on growth while managing public and investor concerns.