Tesla Stock Slips Premarket: First High-Volume Semi Rolls Out, But China Weakness Keeps Investors Cautious

• Tesla confirmed that its first Semi truck rolled off a high-volume production line at Gigafactory Nevada.
• Tesla said Semi scaling is part of a broader 2026 manufacturing push that also includes production of the Cybercab robotaxi and the Megapack 3.
• Investor sentiment remained cautious as China NEV orders surged on Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance launch, while Tesla’s order activity stayed flat.

Shares of Tesla Inc. (TSLA) slipped 0.3% in premarket trading on Thursday after the EV maker confirmed that its first Semi truck has rolled off a high-volume production line at Gigafactory Nevada, with investors also weighing the long-awaited milestone against fresh signs of slowing momentum in China.

TSLA stock fell nearly 1% on Wednesday, logging its second straight session of losses. 

Semi Production Finally Enters Volume Phase 

Tesla said on its Tesla Semi account on X that the “first Semi off high volume line” has now been produced, moving its long-delayed electric trucking program from pilot builds towards manufacturing.

The rollout represents a key milestone for the Semi truck, which was first unveiled in 2017 and saw multiple production delays before limited early deliveries began in late 2022. The initial trucks were assembled on a pilot line, while Tesla spent the following years refining the platform and constructing a dedicated 1.7-million-square-foot manufacturing facility adjacent to Gigafactory Nevada.

The new factory will eventually produce up to 50,000 trucks annually once fully ramped. Tesla offers the Semi in two configurations: a standard-range version with 325 miles of range at full load and a long-range version with 500 miles. The platform uses an 800-kW tri-motor drivetrain producing over 1,000 horsepower.

The company has also reiterated that scaled production of the Semi forms as part of a broader manufacturing ramp planned this year, alongside the Cybercab robotaxi platform and Megapack 3 battery systems, pushed by over $20 billion in factory and infrastructure investments.

China Weakness Caps Semi Milestone Impact 

Despite the production milestone, investor sentiment remained cautious, as recent reports indicated weak momentum for the carmaker in China’s EV market.

According to a Goldman Sachs research note, China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) orders rose during the 17th week of the year, driven primarily by launches under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance following model introductions at the Beijing Auto Show. 

Tesla’s order activity, by contrast, remained flat during the same period. The company also missed the Beijing Auto Show for a third consecutive edition, highlighting a quieter presence compared with several local rivals.

Tesla separately adjusted its financing incentives in China this week, removing its earlier seven-year low-interest loan option and retaining shorter-duration programs, including five-year zero-interest plans. The longer financing structure had previously helped support affordability during weaker seasonal demand earlier in the year.

Deliveries in China totaled 112,798 vehicles in the first quarter, down 16.20% from a year earlier.

How Do Retail Traders Feel About TSLA?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment for Tesla was ‘bullish’ amid ‘low’ message volume.

One user said they were “patiently waiting for the $377 open tomorrow followed by a pump to $385-390.”

Another user said, “Frankly, it is not acceptable that tsla stock performance is poor in 2026. I hope for a quick recovery.”

So far this year, TSLA stock has lagged its “Magnificent Seven” peers, making it the group’s worst performer, with a 17% decline.  

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