TLDR
- USPTO rejects Tesla’s ‘Robotaxi’ trademark for vehicles.
- ‘Cybercab’ trademark faces conflicts, application stalled.
- Stock rose 4.29% to $297.03 despite weak Q1 sales.
- China trade talks spark investor optimism.
- Year-to-date return is still down 26.52% amid volatility.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock climbed 4.29% to $297.03 in midday trading on Friday, even as its trademark plans hit a snag.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office refused Tesla’s bid to trademark the term “Robotaxi” for its vehicles, citing it as too generic. Tesla now has three months to respond or risk losing the application entirely.
The company’s parallel effort to trademark “Robotaxi” for its planned ride-hailing service remains under examination. Separately, Tesla’s application to trademark the term “Cybercab” has stalled, with the USPTO highlighting conflicts with existing “Cyber” trademarks. These challenges cast a shadow over Tesla’s plan to launch a paid autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas, by June.
Tesla's 'Robotaxi' trademark refused for being too generic, TechCrunch reports https://t.co/YmZayb7nyp
— Zicutake USA Comment (@Zicutake) May 8, 2025
Stock Soars Despite Sales Woes
Despite a weak first quarter and falling sales in key European markets, Tesla shares have surged nearly 30% since its April 22 earnings report. CEO Elon Musk’s pledge to spend more time at Tesla and less in Washington helped calm investor nerves.
Today’s rally was driven by hopes that improving U.S.-China trade relations will benefit Tesla, which depends heavily on its Shanghai plant. White House officials pointed to promising developments in talks with Chinese counterparts, fueling optimism around Tesla’s exposure to the critical Chinese market.
Performance Overview
While TSLA stock has bounced sharply from April lows, its year-to-date performance remains in the red. As of May 9, 2025, Tesla’s YTD return sits at -26.52%, far underperforming the S&P 500’s -3.82% slide. Over the past year, however, TSLA has delivered an impressive 72.55% gain, well above the S&P 500’s 8.50% rise.
Over three years, Tesla lags with a modest 13.10% return, compared to the S&P’s 41.74%. Still, its five-year return stands tall at 443.20%, dwarfing the index’s 93.09% growth.
Trade Talks Fuel Investor Hopes
Investors shrugged off the trademark news and weak European sales, focusing instead on reports of thawing U.S.-China relations. Positive comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett hinted at progress in upcoming trade talks in Switzerland.
Given that China is Tesla’s largest production hub, any easing of trade tensions would be a significant tailwind. However, analysts warn that today’s sharp stock rally may be an overreaction, as substantial resolutions remain distant.
Tesla’s next earnings report is expected in July, as the company monitors the impacts of global trade shifts and political sentiment on its automotive and energy businesses.
