This is some good looking analysis on Tesla’s current problems.

I don’t know if “Bankruptcy” is a word to be thrown out right now. But it is clear that the Cybertruck is a dud, the Model 2 is allegedly cancelled, and the Model 3 Highland refresh barely moved the needle.

Finally, TSLA sold fewer cars in Q1 2024 while the overall car market grew in sales. It could be an EV-only blip or problem, but in any case, its a clear problem for Tesla.

Overall, the substack article stays focused on GM, Chrysler, and Nissan and how these 2008-era and 1999-era bankruptcies have similarities to Tesla’s troubles today. It seems a bit hyperbolic, but it overall seems like a good read.

  • GrymEdm@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    I wonder if getting the shareholders to approve a $56 billion payday for Musk and HQ move to Texas will salvage things.

    • tacosanonymous@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      It’s that kind of outside-the-box thinking that’s going to save them.

      The article’s author failed to see that solution!

  • polygon6121@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Interesting read. I did not realise that they need 100B usd to cover the next 4 years. They burn cash very fast. Their vertical integration factories can bite back very hard if they can’t keep up demand. So much for Tesla schooling The rest of the industry on how to build cars… maybe the old dogs do know something after all…

    I hope it goes well and they figure something out, oustin Mr Musk from the company seems like the best short term decision to save the company long term and definitely not paying the 55b usd bonus, that sounds more and more like an exit strategy for Mr Musk.

    They have a strong brand, and had a strong lineup just a few years ago… I think they can figure it out. They will wipe out many peoples 401ks if they go bankrupt, that will be ugly for everyone involved, and 140 000 people will loose their jobs

    • Frostbeard@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      I live in Norway which has become a mature EV market thanks to subsidies. The things that come out of china these days compared with the catchup from established EU/Japanese brands might also have something to do with it. China is subsidizing it’s auto industry pretty hard, and they do make decent cars.

      • polygon6121@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        Yes, i mean I can only look to myself as a consumer. Tesla ticks alot of boxes, and the lower the prices get the better it gets. They are still competitive and I consider them. But I see what the others are doing and what trim levels you get from the competition. Now I can get my leather seats and foldable towbar and sounds systems and massage seats and all the other goodies I am used to in my vehicle. In the end Tesla can’t solve everything with a OTA updates, and selfdriving is cool, but there are other options I want in my car that is not all about software. I feel they put all the eggs in one basket.

        We will see when I am looking for my next car in about two years time! It will be very interesting, and I am not complaining about more options.

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      definitely not paying the 55b usd bonus, that sounds more and more like an exit strategy for Mr Musk.

      Pretty sure that’s not cash. That’s $55B USB worth of stock, at current prices. I think the argument is that he needs to fix the company enough to keep the stock high, if he wants that money

    • hark@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Tesla’s inclusion into the S&P 500 was a huge mistake. I wonder how that was allowed to happen.

  • VubDapple@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    People would warm to Tesla again if Musk were to sell them so that his bad reputation could be distanced from the actual engineering

    • Logi@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Musk doesn’t need to sell his shares. The board just needs to fire him as CEO.

  • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Is this why Musk is trying to cash out with a huge pay package? Get his $ and blame someone/thing else for Tesla’s problems?

  • Ilovethebomb@lemm.ee
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    2 months ago

    People have been saying this for Tesla’s entire life, and it’s yet to happen. They’re in a bit of a slump, but I very much doubt they’ll go bankrupt outright.

    • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      People have been saying this for Tesla’s entire life, and it’s yet to happen.

      Because for the entire life, it’s been burning new venture capital. Musk has one big talent, and that’s lying to people in order to get them to give money.

      Tesla’s profit, for the years they actually made profit, has been roughly equal to the carbon credits they sold. That means purely on production and sales, they’re barely breaking even. That is, of course, assuming they don’t do something monumentally stupid like giving Musk his 55 billion dollar bonus, which will wipe out every dime of profit they’ve ever made.

      • nilloc@discuss.tchncs.de
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        2 months ago

        That is, of course, assuming they don’t do something monumentally stupid like giving Musk his 55 billion dollar bonus, which will wipe out every dime of profit they’ve ever made.

        Or building a polarizing (fugly) truck that is impossible to efficiently and reliably produce quickly enough to meet the inflated demand Musk created by lying about its capabilities and features?

  • Uranium3006@kbin.social
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    2 months ago

    their only selling point is that they make fast electric cars. once the rest of the industry catches up (and they’re catching up quick) they’ll have nothing but poor build quality and cult of personality worship.