Auto and transportation investors had a busy stretch, with Tesla Inc. dominating headlines through new product reveals and Robotaxi updates. General Motors approached its quarterly report with momentum, while Delta Air Lines pushed back an international launch because of rising regional security concerns.

Here are five stories that shaped the conversation around automakers, autonomous driving, air travel and the next phase of transportation technology.

General Motors’ Earnings Streak Faces Another Test

General Motors Co. is preparing to report third-quarter results before the opening bell Tuesday, Oct. 20, following a run of earnings beats. Analysts surveyed by Benzinga Pro anticipate adjusted earnings of $3.60 per share, up from $2.80 in the same period last year. Revenue is projected at $48.6 billion, nearly unchanged from $48.59 billion. The Detroit automaker’s conference call is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET, giving investors a chance to hear whether the company’s recent performance can continue.

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Elon Musk Puts a Flying Tesla Roadster On Display

Tesla Inc. officially unveiled its long-awaited high-performance Roadster, highlighting hovering technology powered by thrusters supplied by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. After the debut event, Elon Musk posted a video on X showing the vehicle lifting over a lineup that included Tesla’s Cybercab, Cybertruck, Semi, Model 3 and Model Y. The reveal added an especially ambitious feature set to Tesla’s sports car showcase, including flight, upside-down driving and barrel rolls enabled by SpaceX thrusters.

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Delta Postpones Its Saudi Arabia Service

Delta Air Lines Inc. said it will move the planned start of nonstop flights between Atlanta and Riyadh to March 2027. The airline cited "evolving developments in the region" as it reassesses the launch, amid escalating security concerns in Saudi Arabia. Delta said it remains in contact with Saudi authorities and aviation partners while monitoring conditions. The change follows Houthi attacks that shut Riyadh’s airport and adds another delay to the carrier’s planned international expansion.

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Tesla’s Austin Robotaxi Fleet Expands Sharply

Tesla announced that more than 300 Cybercabs were serving Austin, representing an eightfold increase in the company’s fleet over 30 days. The official Robotaxi account shared the milestone on X, describing the expansion as "an 8x increase in 30 days." Musk later highlighted the update, writing, "Cybercab is scaling." The fleet growth marks a rapid expansion of Tesla’s autonomous ride-hailing operation, while Musk also acknowledged that the company continues working on vehicle safety issues involving animals.

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Tesla Investors Press Musk On the Cybercab Timeline

Ahead of Tesla’s third-quarter 2026 earnings call on Oct. 21, investors submitted questions about the Cybercab’s retail availability, Robotaxi insurance responsibilities and potential future vehicles. Questions were posted on the Say platform, including one from an investor representing more than 444,000 shares. The investor asked, "When will the CyberCab be available for customer purchase/ownership?" Other issues attracting investor attention include the Austin fleet’s expansion, HW3 Full Self-Driving and speculation about a Tesla van.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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