Tesla fell short of analysts' estimates for gross profit margin in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, as the electric-vehicle maker rolled out financing offers and discounts to spur flagging demand for its aging lineup.

The electric-car maker reported net income of $2.5 billion, a result driven in part by strong growth in Tesla’s energy business.

Tesla posted a rare earnings miss for the last quarter of 2024, coupled with disappointing results amid weak sales and revenue leading to thinning profit margins.

The days of never-ending growth are over. Tesla was only able to increase turnover by one per cent last year - and only thanks to its growing energy business.

Since it’s been making electric vehicles, Tesla Inc. has raked in almost $12 billion straight from the coffers of its competitors. If Donald Trump gets his way, that revenue stream won’t flow quite as quickly the next few years.

It’s hard to fault a CEO who grows a company beyond $1 trillion in value. Elon Musk managed the feat by upending the automotive market with Tesla’s electric vehicles and extended its lead with broader battery power.

Elon Musk said Tesla will begin launching unsupervised self-driving models in Austin, Texas by June and several other U.S. cities by the end of 2025.