AUSTIN, Texas — Tesla Inc. shares climbed sharply Monday, closing at $445.00, up $16.65 or 3.89%, as investors bet on the electric vehicle maker's accelerating shift toward artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomy despite ongoing challenges in traditional auto sales.

The stock's gains came amid reports of robust China sales growth and bullish analyst commentary highlighting untapped upside from Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot. Pre-market trading Tuesday showed some pullback, with shares around $437.39, down about 1.71%.

Volume was heavy at more than 74 million shares, well above the 65-day average, reflecting renewed momentum in a stock that has traded as low as $273.21 and as high as $498.83 over the past 52 weeks.

China Momentum and Sales Rebound

Tesla's Shanghai plant delivered strong results in April, with China-made vehicle sales jumping 36% from the prior year. The uptick helped ease concerns about softening demand in the world's largest EV market, where local competitors have intensified pressure.

Analysts noted the improvement signals potential stabilization as Tesla refreshes its lineup and benefits from any easing of trade tensions. Speculation around CEO Elon Musk's reported plans to join President Trump on a trip to China added to positive sentiment, though details remain limited.

"Tesla investors entering at current levels are essentially getting Optimus for free," Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Potter said in recent commentary, underscoring the market's willingness to price in long-term robotics potential.

Autonomy and Robotaxi Progress

Tesla continues pushing boundaries in full........

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