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Tesla Faces Delays in Producing 5,000 Optimus Robots in 2025

Cansin Cengiz

25 Jul 2025 — 2 min read

Tesla Struggles to Meet 2025 Optimus Robot Production Target

Tesla is reportedly falling short of its ambitious goal to manufacture at least 5,000 Optimus humanoid robots in 2025, according to recent reporting. As of late July, eight months into the year, production numbers are only in the hundreds, based on information from two sources familiar with the project.

Production Challenges and Updated Timeline

The slow pace means Tesla will either need to dramatically accelerate production or reconsider its timeline for delivering the Optimus bots. The Optimus project—publicly positioned as a major leap for the company—has yet to hit mass production levels. During Tesla's Q2 2025 earnings call, CEO Elon Musk announced that the company would commence production of the latest Optimus 3 design by early next year.

Musk reiterated Tesla's intention to "scale Optimus production as fast as possible"
He projected a target of reaching one million units annually within five years
However, the company has a history of making bold predictions that experience delays

Broader Financial Context

This production update comes on the heels of Tesla reporting a 12% year-over-year revenue decline in the second quarter of 2025. The drop is attributed to falling electric vehicle sales, reduced revenue from regulatory credits, and a downturn in solar and energy storage business.

Elon Musk’s Track Record with Projections

Elon Musk has made similarly ambitious claims in the past. For example, at Tesla’s 2019 Autonomy Day, he stated the company would deploy a fleet of one million robotaxis by 2020—a milestone that has not yet been achieved. Again in 2022, Musk projected mass production of robotaxis by 2024, which also remains unrealized.

What’s Next for Optimus?

As 2025 progresses, all eyes are on Tesla to see if it can ramp up Optimus bot production and turn its vision for humanoid robots into a large-scale reality. The development of Optimus is seen as a potential game-changer for automation across industries, but the current pace signals significant challenges ahead.

References

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