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Tesla Motors Inc. fell in extended trading after the electric-car maker backed off its full-year vehicle sales forecast.
Tesla said it now aims to deliver 50,000 to 55,000 vehicles this year, compared with a previous target of 55,000. The company sees third-quarter production and deliveries of just more than 12,000 vehicles including just a few Model X sport utility vehicles.
Reaching the initial target may be a stretch because some interior suppliers might not be able to increase the flow of high-quality parts fast enough to meet the Model X production plan, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said on a conference call with analysts. Because the SUV and the existing Model S share the same assembly line, a shortfall by one Model X supplier could slow output of both vehicles.
All is not wine and roses at Tesla, despite the glowing press they receive.
Original Submission
(Score: 4, Interesting) by DECbot on Friday August 07 2015, @07:34PM
This is merely speculation on my part, but I think some of the issue is the new Model X production line will not be ready to fulfill 2015 sales orders by the end of the year. Buy your stock now, because this is about a low as it's going to be for a while. They're looking at building 1000 Model X and 1000 Model S per week when the line is finished. Lowing the target by 5,000 units to me equates to 5 weeks behind on the Model X line. Five weeks delay is a very realistic number as they made very aggressive timelines for the new line with minimal cushion for engineering, delivery, and procurement delays.
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(Score: 2) by DECbot on Friday August 07 2015, @10:18PM
Also, keep in mind that Tesla constantly has a $20+ dollar price fluctuations. It just so happened that this announcement occurred during the stock price downswing. The stock is acting as normal, but it just so happens that Tesla is announcing lower delivery rates for 2015.
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(Score: 2) by frojack on Saturday August 08 2015, @12:34AM
I tend to agree any price drop is temporary.
I can see model S getting sidelined by a deluge of model X orders in the near future.
Disclaimer: I did buy some stock a while ago when it was around $120. My only worry is that they get too committed to their particular battery chemistry, to the point they are left holding the bag when something else comes along. (fuel cells or whatever).
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 3, Informative) by DECbot on Saturday August 08 2015, @01:29AM
I don't think that should be a big concern. Yes the giga-factory is dependent upon the chemistry but not the car. The battery is designed to be replaceable in 5 to 10 minutes at a 'gas' station, so as long as the new technology can fit in the current battery tray there shouldn't really be any issue at all.
*No, the batteries aren't replaced at service centers now but in the future Musk does envision that they would be exchanged when drivers are on long trips, paying only a service charge for labor and the cost of the energy stored into the cell. That's why his solar business and battery businesses are so important. Also why the battery tech is open source.
cats~$ sudo chown -R us /home/base