Article: It's becoming increasingly clear Tesla is just another car company -- agree / disagree?

[Crissa]

And??? How would that move the needle to your argument that Tesla is not just another car company when every other car company customize those robots for their own assembly line configuration?

Not everyone programs their robots themselves?

It's currently a trade secret how Tesla manages to aim their robots because they don't add obvious alignment marks on their parts and casts.

-Crissa

 

[Cybertruckee]

Not everyone programs their robots themselves?

It's currently a trade secret how Tesla manages to aim their robots because they don't add obvious alignment marks on their parts and casts.

-Crissa

And??? How is that helping your argument?

Check back when Tesla start monetizing their programming knowledge in robotics by selling it to other car manufacturing companies then we'll give them credit that they are moving from "just another car company."

Toyota builts industrial robots but for their own use and yes they are also another car company.

 

[jerhenderson]

You're cherry-picking per car profit as your chosen metric because, obviously, it's the most favorable to your position. But profitability on a per car basis is only part of the overall analysis, not the end all, be all. If Ferrari makes an ultra expensive car that turns a higher per-car profit than Tesla, does Ferrari get to claim it is superior to Tesla as a manufacturer because of per car profitability? I would say no, personally, because scale and other things matter. Other manufacturers make more in total net profit, of course, through higher volume and lower per-car profits. Do they get to cite a greater cumulative net profit as evidence they are more than "just another car company?" At that point, the assessment devolves into what metrics you want to use to cite why Car Company X is better than Y. Then you're simply debating the merits of a bunch of car companies.

The premise of the "Tesla is more than a car company" belief necessarily requires revenue and substantial profits beyond......selling cars. And that hasn't come to fruition, yet. As you noted, though, the tech they have is relatively new, and let's see what they do with it. It's entirely possible, if not likely, they they do become more than a car company. I think it is fair to say that has not yet happened, though, even if you fundamentally believe it is coming. The headline of the article is clickbait, of course, but the overarching premise is kind of fair, IMO.

I am of the opinion Tesla is - at present - simultaneously an elite car company and "just another car company."

I'm guessing you haven't heard of their energy storage business.

 

[cvalue13]

Will be interesting to see Tesla’s Master Plan 3, in regards this question. Plan 1 was arguably all “car company” focused, and arguably entirely accomplished. Master Plan 2 was also disproportionately car company focused, other than solar. Arguably that solar portion of Plan 2 has not been materially accomplished yet (and they’ve backed away from). Will Plan 3 be be similarly car company focused?

In any event, to date, it seems if we take Tesla’s “master plans” seriously, Tesla considers itself a car company (and it’s only non-car plan element to date arguably not materially accomplished).

Plan 1

1. Build sports car
2. Use that money to build an affordable car
3. Use that money to build an even more affordable car
4. While doing above, also provide zero emission electric power generation options

Plan 2

1. Create a low volume car, which would necessarily be expensive
2. Use that money to develop a medium volume car at a lower price
3. Use that money to create an affordable, high volume car
   And...
4. Provide solar power. No kidding, this has literally been on our website for 10 years.

 

[Crissa]

And??? How is that helping your argument?

...Because they have trade secret processes involved in robot programming and use? It means people think the process is worth money to know.

You just said you didn't think their application of robots was notable. This makes it notable.

I didn't say other companies didn't have robot trade secrets, or that it made them special. Just that it means they're not just using off the shelf programming.

-Crissa

 

[charliemagpie]

Rudimentary review of what Tesla is, should prove to most people Tesla is not just a car company.

Anyone who disagrees is very welcome to own their opinion. Some people believe in flat earth.. I don't bother with them either.

 

[Cybertruckee]

I think I owe this thread the background information about the title and subject of this thread. And maybe save your breath in putting out off-target arguments on matters that's not been disputed. Also, hair splitting on who owns the battery technology, who program robots, who own the factory...etc, etc, etc.

It actually started on the investors perspective and question about Tesla's very high stock price and the frenzy of buying when it's price earnings multiple is reaching ridiculous levels (at some point, it will take 1,356 years to recover the investment based on current earnings vis-a-vis it's stock price).

The answer proffered was: Tesla is not just a car company (but technology with vertical and horizontal integration opportunity in three-leg categories of electric cars, tech (on car, FSD, global driving data base) and batteries as it's core competencies. And of course, the thought that they will focus to develop and monetize these other business sectors.

But as they say, the rest is history: Boring (maybe, as dedicated lane for Tesla EVs), rockets (nice), Starlink (nicer), Twitter, poltical punditry, public display of narcissism, opposing and foot-dragging good governance initiatives, nepotism, leak on company top management culture of misogyny and racism...

Currently, Tesla stock price have to double plus change for investors to be able to break even. And yes, I'm one of them!

 

[Ogre]

Currently, Tesla stock price have to double plus change for some investors to be able to break even. And yes, I'm one of them!

Many investors invested years ago and have 10x their initial investment in their accounts.

Unfortunately, not me. But since I bought a lot of shares at the bottom, I don’t need to see another double from here to break even, but I am still in the red on Tesla and will be until we hit $250 or so.

But the money was In mostly in AMZN, NFLX, and mostly AAPL prior to Tesla so if I’d left it, I’d be in a similar situation. Investing is tricky.

 

[Cybertruckee]

Pre Musk's Twitter distraction, what the investors were most excited about was his statement that he can supply all the electricity needs of the whole country if he is provided with 100x100 miles of land to put up solar panels. And coincidentally this is administration's energy program and the eventual rebuilding and modernization of our power supply grid.

A sub-set is the democratization of power supply by each home and commerical establishments supplying electricity back to the grid through Tesla in-home solar panel and powerpacks when installation of these in homes, manufacturing sites and commercial/malls achieve a critical mass.

 

[Rozonoe]

Agree or disagree?

https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-just-another-car-company-discounts-rentals-stock-2023-1

Totally disagree. Tesla is an AI company!

 

[Crissa]

Totally disagree. Tesla is an AI company!

If they're able to turn Tesla Vision into a working product, they will be.

-Crissa

 

[CyberGus]

Tesla is more akin to GE than GM.

 

[Rozonoe]

If they're able to turn Tesla Vision into a working product, they will be.

-Crissa

It is an AI company regardless of Tesla Vision or not! Nobody has better electronics & efficiency than Tesla, period!

 

[Crissa]

It is an AI company regardless of Tesla Vision or not! Nobody has better electronics & efficiency than Tesla, period!

The efficiency and electronics aren't AI, tho. They're just good manufacturing.

-Crissa