Still, during Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings call on the evening of January 29, he sent a characteristically blunt message to those who doubted him along the way. "Very few people understand the value of self-driving and [Tesla's] ability to monetize the fleet.

Coverage and analysis of electric vehicle maker Tesla's fourth-quarter financial results, Q&A call, and the stock's reaction.

Key Takeaways Elon Musk and other Tesla executives on Wednesday discussed self-driving software and the Optimus robot, among other topics. The call followed a disappointing quarterly report, with revenue and adjusted profits falling short of estimates.

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

The company faces a number of questions about its future, including its plan to release more affordable models.