Tesla robotaxi: U.S. takes first steps to neutralize China’s structural advantage in the auto industry

On June 22, 2025, Tesla launched its first robotaxi service in Texas, deploying a small fleet of Model Y SUVs that transport passengers with a safety monitor in the front passenger seat but no driver. The company plans to scale the service to one million vehicles by 2026.

This move by Tesla signals the start of a systemic restructuring of the global transportation industry, primarily aimed at neutralizing China’s structural advantage in mass-scale automotive manufacturing.

In 2023, China produced over 26 million vehicles — an output comparable to the combined production of the world’s top ten automaking countries.