Elon Musk begins to hint at his next plan: “Any country that cannot manufacture its own will be a vassal state of those that can”

After a year of several losses, Elon Musk has revealed details about his new business venture. The Tesla founder sees a promising future in drone production, positioning himself as a new threat to China, which currently dominates the sector.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has confirmed a drop in Tesla sales. The company went from selling 11,540 cars in April 2024 to just 5,475 in a single month—a 52% decline. In countries that promote free trade, including EFTA members (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein) and the United Kingdom, the drop reached 49%.

In a context shaped by Trump-era policies and Musk’s previous role as head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, the South African entrepreneur has expanded his business horizons following Tesla’s losses. In the first quarter, the company saw a 46% decline, with particularly low figures in Europe and China.

Musk replied to a post reading, “Any country that can’t manufacture its own drones will be a vassal state,” adding that the author was correct. “We better figure out how to build drones at scale fast or we are doomed to be a vassal state, as you posted,” responded the billionaire owner of X.

Tesla could enter the market

According to U.S. financial services giant Morgan Stanley, if Tesla enters the future eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) market, Musk could shift from electric cars to drones—disrupting China’s plans. “China produces more drones in a day than the United States does in a year.”

The billionaire has made history with online payments, electric cars, the purchase of the social network X, and has also associated his name with rockets. Now, he’s looking to expand his empire in the drone market. According to Morgan Stanley, there will be a total market worth $9 trillion for drones and vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

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