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Our own anonymous AC has found the following story:
MotorTrend reviews the recent Tesla earnings call, where Musk ended by saying that the new lower cost Tesla will be a stripped version of the Model Y SUV -- rear drive only, spartan interior, smaller (and/or lower cost chemistry) battery, etc.
Sales and earnings haven't looked good this year, I wonder if this will be enough to bring people back to Tesla stores after Elon's time in Washington DC?
While not mentioned in the article, I also wonder how current Model Y owners will feel about their neighbors' ability to get a car that looks the same, without paying the Tesla luxury car price?
The story ends with other Tesla news:
The cheap Tesla news is the big headliner of the earnings call, but there were plenty of other interesting tidbits. Per usual, Musk and Tesla championed autonomy and Tesla's nascent robotaxi service. The automaker plans to expand the size and, well, suggestive shape[*] of its robotaxi service's operating area in Austin, Texas, while also eyeing San Francisco as its next location. Robotaxis are apparently already testing in the bay area, as well as Arizona and Florida. There is also the goal of reducing the cost-per-mile of robotaxi service once the Cybercab is out in the wild. Standard Tesla robotaxi vehicles will remain more expensive than Cybercab, but it will also be built differently from regular Teslas, with longer-life tires, a plusher ride, and a much lower top speed. Tesla also expects its robotaxi service to grow much larger in 2026 and "have significant impact" on Tesla's otherwise poor financials in Q2 2025—auto revenue is down by 16 percent, year-over-year, while income from all operations are down by 42 percent, year-over-year. On top of the robotaxi fleet expansion, Musk stated that he's confident that autonomous vehicle deliveries will also expand with Bay Area driverless deliveries starting by the end of this year.
Tesla's woeful financials in part come down to the upcoming revocation of the Federal EV tax credit, tariffs impacting materials cost, and the revocation of different tax credits impacting Tesla's energy storage business. Surely, Musk's polarizing foray into politics and government is having an impact on sales, too, giving some would-be buyers pause. Musk seems to acknowledge the issue, even admitting that he's worried about being ousted as the CEO, mentioning "activist shareholders" pulling a vote to remove him. With Tesla's recent quarter being its worst since 2021 and Q1 2024, there's plenty for Musk and the company to worry about.
[*] https://www.teslaacessories.com/blogs/news/tesla-expands-robotaxi-service-area-in-austin-texas spoiler, on a map it looks like a dick...
(Score: 3, Interesting) by mmcmonster on Saturday July 26, @12:50PM (3 children)
I've bought several Tesla products over the years. A Model S, Model Y, Cybertruck, Solar Panels, Battery backup. ~$350k total.
Will likely never buy anything else from them. Maybe if Musk is no longer involved with the company.
My Model Y is 5 years old. Original plan was to trade it in and get a new Model S. Not happening. New plan is to drive it another 1-2 years and then maybe a Lexus all-electric if they are using the NACS charging port (I haven't really looked into it; I hear they are doing a refresh for 2026 model year).
(Score: 2, Interesting) by JoeMerchant on Saturday July 26, @06:14PM (1 child)
I bought TSLA stock "back in the day" at some absurdly low price before the split. In Dec24/Jan25 somewhere I sold all but 100 shares of it, making huge gains over the initial investment, and 100 shares is still enough to be interesting / significant. I'm mostly holding it based on the hope that EM will get ousted by the TSLA board, though if that were going to happen I imagine it would have happened already, so... mostly I suppose it's that I am hedging against my own limited perspective. From my perspective TSLA's future prospects should have it trading at 31, not 316. I usually "follow my gut" but also try to diversify, so this is a diversification play: I don't understand it, but in case my gut is wrong about literally everything, TSLA is something that should do well.
🌻🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by number11 on Sunday July 27, @01:10AM
Tried to mod that "interesting" and something blew up, the result was:
Q: Why do firemen wear red suspenders?
A: To conform with departmental regulations concerning uniform dress.
... (can't show entire thing cuz lameness filter didn't like all that whitespace)
and it logged me out.
(Score: 2) by sgleysti on Sunday July 27, @02:03AM
How do you have this kind of money to spend? Just a high income? Are you also saving for retirement?
My plan is to drive the little commuter car I bought used until it won't run and bank as much as I can in a 401k...