Comment by Zigurd
1 day ago
It's not depressing because it's not true. Tesla isn't investing in battery technology. Tesla also isn't developing new models at the same rate as VW, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai Kia, etc.
1 day ago
It's not depressing because it's not true. Tesla isn't investing in battery technology. Tesla also isn't developing new models at the same rate as VW, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai Kia, etc.
> Tesla also isn't developing new models at the same rate as VW, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai Kia, etc.
BMW and Mercedes are not in the same class. They can afford to get away by charging a premium.
VW: I'd love to know how much it costs them to make/buy a battery, and their profit margins on EVs. Ditto Hyundai and Kia.
(Edit: See https://carbuzz.com/ev-profit-margins/ for VW).
Look at all the companies scaling back on EVs or exiting them altogether (e.g. Honda). It's not that Honda can't make EVs. It's that they can't compete on profit with Tesla + Chinese EVs. It's likely why Hyundai is dropping the Kona and the Ioniq 6.
Nissan dropped the Ariya, I believe. The Bolt is also out. The general shift is for more luxury EVs (BMW/Mercedes), and not EVs for the average Joe.
See also https://www.bain.com/insights/electric-vehicles-profit-puzzl...
Giving up on EVs is crazy though, it seals their fate and guarantees the death of the company in exchange for a few more years of profit. The EV takeover will not stop, as of roughly this year they’re going to be cheaper than equivalent ice cars, it’s going to accelerate quickly. It’s suicide in slow motion
This. It doesn't really look like Tesla is doing anything rn but selling old cars. They don't appear to be the future any more.
It doesn't look like they are developing self-driving?
What other company is developing self-driving at a level of sophistication as Tesla that you can actually buy in a consumer vehicle?
I don't think self-driving is remotely close to working at any scale. I also don't think it's the killer-app. Right now, cheap electrics and moreso cheap hybrids are the killer.
2 replies →
The companies that have real boards would never take the risk.
Once Elon’s air cover is blown, the government is going the dissect Tesla. Once someone gets the injunction to stop deletion of crash data and allow for inspection, they are cooked.
I suppose, if you live in a jurisdiction/insurance regime where it's usable.
But people like buying new cars, new models, new designs. Not just features - those are just options.