Tesla confirmed in its Q2 earnings report that it has officially begun production of a more affordable electric vehicle — a move that marks progress on a long-promised initiative to broaden access to its cars. Although details remain under wraps — including the name, features, and starting price — the company expects to reach mass production in the second half of 2025. The new model is expected to sit below the Model 3, which currently starts at $42,490.In addition to the new EV, Tesla said it aims to ramp up volume production of both its long-delayed Tesla Semi and the autonomous Cybercab robotaxi in 2026.Key numbers from Q2:Revenue came in at $22.5 billion, down 12% year-on-yearNet income fell to $1.2 billion, a 16% declineVehicle deliveries dropped 13.5% from the same quarter last yearAdditional context:Tesla’s sales performance may be facing headwinds from CEO Elon Musk’s political alignment with Trump, which has sparked some consumer backlash. Meanwhile, the company has launched a limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, using safety riders. Tesla plans to expand this program into new cities with minimal investment, aiming to eventually operate without onboard safety drivers.The next 12–18 months look pivotal as Tesla rolls out its more accessible EV and tests the scalability of its autonomous ambitions. This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.