Gerber Advises Tesla Owners to Skip Robotaxi, Let Tesla Bear the Risk

Investor Ross Gerber on Monday advised Tesla Inc. owners not to participate in the electric-vehicle giant's Airbnb-style Robotaxi service rollout ahead of the Cybercab launch.

Tesla Not Bearing the Risk

In a series of posts on social media platform X on Monday, the Gerber Kawasaki co-founder shared his take on CEO Elon Musk's vision that the Cybercab would be a combination of Airbnb and Uber Technologies. "So Tesla sells Cybercabs to other 'fleet managers' and takes a cut of revenue from system management and sale price," the investor said in a post.

He added that this model "significantly" reduces the EV giant's risk on factors such as pricing and operations, which would instead be borne by fleet managers who choose to join the service.

I get it. So Tesla sells Cybercabs to other "fleet managers" and takes a cut of revenue from system management and sale price. Then all the operational and pricing risk shifts from Tesla to the "fleet operators," significantly reducing Tesla's risk in this new venture... $TSLA

— Ross Gerber September 7, 2026

In another post, the investor detailed some of the potential risks this business model could pose for Tesla, namely "losing a lot of recurring revenue by not owning the Cybercab," but that conversely means the company "doesn't have to put as much capital to scale."

Gerber also said Tesla could take a 20%-30% cut of revenue, and "if nobody uses the cars, you lose, not Tesla... just like Airbnb," he said.

Tesla loses a lot of recurring revenue by not owning the Cybercab, but they also don't have to put as much capital to scale. They have others to take the risk. They'll take the top 20%-30% cut like Airbnb. If nobody uses the cars, you lose, not Tesla... just like...

— Ross Gerber September 7, 2026

Ross Gerber Warns Tesla Owners

The investor also issued a warning to Tesla owners in a post, citing the Latin phrase "Caveat Emptor," meaning "let the buyer beware."

The phrase is also used in legal terminology to indicate that the obligation to check the quality of a particular product/service before purchase lies with the buyer.

"I can't tell you how many Tesla owners have lost equity in their vehicles," he said. "I suggest letting Tesla take the risk in this rollout... not you," the investor added.

As they say. "Caveat Emptor" — I can't tell you how many Tesla owners have lost equity in their vehicles... I suggest letting Tesla take the risk in this rollout... not you. $TSLA

— Ross Gerber September 7, 2026

Edge rankings show Tesla scores mid-tier on growth and quality metrics, but underperforms on value and momentum. TSLA also offers no favorable price trends in the short, medium, or long term.

Price Action: TSLA shares rose 0.54% in after-hours trading to $355.99.