Tesla Motors share price after self-driving car fails to materialise – but the Model D is still pretty cool

Tesla Motors share price dropped yesterday, and is expected to fall further today, after the much anticipated self-driving car failed to materialise. 

 

Company chief executive Elon Musk had fuelled speculation that Thursday night would see a big reveal when he tweeted that it was “about time to unveil the D and something else”. 

 

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/517486950589014016 

 

Along with being retweeted nearly 15,000 times, investors took note: Tesla's share price rose six per cent on that day (October 2) and continued to rise – until last night.  

 

Shares in Tesla closed 0.9 per cent down and at pixel time that tumble looked likely to continue – pre-market, the share price was down a further 3.5 per cent. 

 

It may not have been the self-driving car that people had been hoping for, but the Model D should still please petrol heads (even if it is electric).

 

The D will accelerate to 60 miles an hour in just over three seconds, thanks to its dual motors – which give the car its name. The all-wheel drive version of Tesla's Model S can also drive 10 miles further from a single charge – the company claims it can reach 275 miles now.

 

But it is perhaps its autopilot features that give us a taste of what is expected to come. 

 

The car can change lanes when prompted by a turn signal, and boasts a computer that can read speed limit signs and adjust to them accordingly. 

 

The autopilot can even park the car itself. According to USA Today, when drivers are ready to go off again, the car will able to drive itself up, with the car's temperature and stereo system set to the driver's preferences.

 

"It will come to you wherever you are," Musk said.  "It will slowly make its way to you."

 

Check out these images from last night's launch event.