In a surprising turn of events, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company is abandoning its long-standing plan to develop a $25,000 electric vehicle. Instead, Tesla will focus on producing a robotaxi, a self-driving car with no steering wheel or pedals, which Musk believes is the future of transportation.

The news comes as a surprise to many, as Musk had previously expressed confidence in Tesla's ability to produce an affordable electric vehicle at the $25,000 price point. However, it appears that the company has shifted its priorities, with autonomy taking center stage.

According to Musk's biographer, Walter Isaacson, Tesla's top executives had been debating the direction of the company's product line, with some advocating for a more traditional car with a steering wheel and pedals, while others pushed for a fully autonomous vehicle. Ultimately, Musk decided to pursue the robotaxi design, citing the importance of autonomy in the company's future.

The move raises questions about Tesla's strategy in the electric vehicle market, where affordability has been a key selling point. With the Model 3 currently starting at around $42,000, it remains to be seen how Tesla will achieve its goal of making electric vehicles more accessible to the masses.

For now, it seems that Tesla is betting big on autonomy, and the robotaxi is the company's top priority. As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this decision impacts Tesla's position in the industry.