Despite reporting first-quarter earnings and revenue that fell short of expectations, Tesla’s stock soared by 12% following CEO Elon Musk’s announcement of forthcoming, more affordable vehicle models and optimistic delivery forecasts for 2024. This rise came after a significant drop of over 17% in Tesla shares throughout April, touching a 52-week low just prior to the earnings disclosure.
Anticipation of Cost-Effective Models Spurs Investor Interest
Before the earnings announcement, there were speculations about Tesla possibly shelving plans for the Model 2, a projected $25,000 vehicle. Contrary to these speculations, Tesla unveiled updates to its vehicle lineup during the earnings call, accelerating the introduction of new, more affordable models which may utilize both next-generation and current platform elements. These models are expected to share production lines with existing Tesla vehicles, facilitating a more efficient production process.
Elon Musk hinted that the launch of these new models might occur as early as late 2024 or early 2025, though further details were not provided during the call. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities referred to this strategy adjustment as moving towards a “Model 2.5” rather than a completely new Model 2 platform, suggesting that Tesla is making timely strategic decisions given the current market dynamics.
Musk’s Positive Outlook on Future Deliveries
In addition to new model announcements, Musk expressed confidence in increased vehicle deliveries for 2024. Despite a slowing demand for electric vehicles this year as evidenced by Tesla’s first-quarter deliveries totaling 386,810 vehicles, Musk remains optimistic. This number was the lowest quarterly delivery since the second quarter of 2022, sparking downward revisions in delivery estimates by analysts.
Tesla’s vehicle inventory ended the first quarter with an 87% increase from the previous year, and auto gross profit margins exceeded expectations. “We think Q2 will be a lot better,” Musk stated, reflecting a positive outlook despite the current figures.
Focusing on Full Self-Driving and AI Innovations
Much of Tesla’s first-quarter discussions also revolved around advancements in Full Self-Driving (FSD), autonomy, and artificial intelligence. The company recently transitioned from FSD Beta to supervised FSD and plans to recognize $281 million in deferred revenue from this shift. Musk emphasized Tesla’s focus on achieving full autonomy, suggesting that skeptics should reconsider their investment in Tesla.
Looking ahead, Tesla plans to introduce its robotaxi concept, termed “cybercab,” on August 8, potentially marking a significant development in its ride-hailing ambitions. This move could position Tesla as a competitor to established ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
Overall, despite a challenging first quarter, Tesla’s strategic announcements and Musk’s confident projections have fueled a rebound in its stock prices, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company’s future direction.
