According to a CNBC report on December 30, Tesla (TSLA.US) CEO Elon Musk has thrust humanoid robots into the spotlight this year, suggesting Tesla’s valuation could reach trillions of dollars—though it has yet to sell its flagship humanoid robot, Optimus.

During Tesla’s third-quarter earnings call, Musk barely mentioned cars, instead shifting the narrative entirely to the Optimus humanoid robot. He announced that Optimus V3 will launch in the first quarter of 2026 and that Tesla aims to begin mass production at a scale of one million units per year by the end of next year. Musk’s announcement of this one-million-unit annual production target alongside the Optimus V3 launch marks a strategic pivot from “technological iteration” to “commercialization.”

However, according to CNBC, Chinese companies—including Unitree Robotics, UBTECH Robotics (09880.HK), and XPeng (XPEV.US)—are likely to beat Tesla to market.

In a December report, RBC Capital Markets stated, “China could be the most important market for humanoid robots.” The bank’s analysts forecast that the global humanoid robotics market will reach $9 trillion by 2050, with China accounting for more than 60% of that total.

Analysts say China’s formidable manufacturing capabilities—and its proven success in scaling production in sectors like electric vehicles—could give it an edge in robotics. Ethan Qi, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, noted that the depth of China’s supply chain means Chinese firms can develop and manufacture robots at significantly lower costs compared to other regions.

Andreas Brauchle, Partner at consulting firm Horváth, said China currently leads the U.S. in the early commercialization of humanoid robots and is expanding faster in the initial phase. McKinsey analysts added that both countries are expected to become large markets, driven largely by adoption in private households, with mass-market penetration anticipated after 2040.

According to a CNBC report on December 30, Tesla (TSLA.US) CEO Elon Musk has thrust humanoid robots into the spotlight this year, suggesting Tesla’s valuation could reach trillions of dollars—though it has yet to sell its flagship humanoid robot, Optimus.

During Tesla’s third-quarter earnings call, Musk barely mentioned cars, instead shifting the narrative entirely to the Optimus humanoid robot. He announced that Optimus V3 will launch in the first quarter of 2026 and that Tesla aims to begin mass production at a scale of one million units per year by the end of next year. Musk’s announcement of this one-million-unit annual production target alongside the Optimus V3 launch marks a strategic pivot from “technological iteration” to “commercialization.”

However, according to CNBC, Chinese companies—including Unitree Robotics, UBTECH Robotics (09880.HK), and XPeng (XPEV.US)—are likely to beat Tesla to market.

In a December report, RBC Capital Markets stated, “China could be the most important market for humanoid robots.” The bank’s analysts forecast that the global humanoid robotics market will reach $9 trillion by 2050, with China accounting for more than 60% of that total.

Analysts say China’s formidable manufacturing capabilities—and its proven success in scaling production in sectors like electric vehicles—could give it an edge in robotics. Ethan Qi, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, noted that the depth of China’s supply chain means Chinese firms can develop and manufacture robots at significantly lower costs compared to other regions.

Andreas Brauchle, Partner at consulting firm Horváth, said China currently leads the U.S. in the early commercialization of humanoid robots and is expanding faster in the initial phase. McKinsey analysts added that both countries are expected to become large markets, driven largely by adoption in private households, with mass-market penetration anticipated after 2040.