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Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

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Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#11
post #7
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Considering what he's up against in the industry, I'd say what he's done is fairly remarkable. My concern would be that if at any point one of the big three see Tesla as a threat they will put efforts into creating an electric car that undercuts Tesla's offerings and catapults Tesla into a high end niche oblivion. That said, if it comes to that, I will see that as a different means to the same end of reducing our gas…

I think you would be surprised I think Tesla's strategy has three stages. 1) Niche high cost vehicle sold in low volumes(Roadster) 2) Medium cost luxury vehicle sold in medium volumes(Model S) 3) Low cost high volume vehicle sold in high volumes. (Model ???) Obviously this is a gross over simplification but I imagine that part of the engineering that is going on at TESLA is figuring out how to build 3 cheaper and at…

I am aware of their strategy, I just worry that the big automakers with their massive distribution and infrastructures already in place could easily come in and be 10 steps ahead of Tesla and provide a vehicle that isn't as sexy but has the same appeal to the electric car market. I could be overestimating their ability to innovate after so many years of sitting on the same old tired technology, but something tells me that they'd be willing to step up if it means they are going to be completely left in the dust of a tiny (by comparison) company.

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#12
post #9

Tesla was cash flow positive, as of last week, or Tesla was cash flow positive last week? Edit: It appears the be the latter. Not really impressive, but a good sign.

Wouldn't it take until the end of this week to find out?

(But yeah I'm guessing it's just the latter too.)

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#13
post #9

Tesla was cash flow positive, as of last week, or Tesla was cash flow positive last week? Edit: It appears the be the latter. Not really impressive, but a good sign.

Yeah, I think some people don't realize how easy it is to have a week where more money is coming in than going out, even if the company is failing.

Not that I think Tesla is failing. But having a bunch of orders/payments come through in one week that you aren't buying much stuff can easily happen. (Specifics depend on cash versus accrual accounting.)

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#14
post #6
post #2

While I'm a huge fan of Elon Musk, and I even think Tesla is pretty cool, I'm a little underwhelmed. Every one of my ventures could be cash flow positive if I got a half BILLION dollar loan from the taxpayers and then was able to sell my product with a $8k tax credit stapled to the side of each unit. http://techcrunch.com/2009/06/23/the-government-comes-throug...

Considering what he's up against in the industry, I'd say what he's done is fairly remarkable. My concern would be that if at any point one of the big three see Tesla as a threat they will put efforts into creating an electric car that undercuts Tesla's offerings and catapults Tesla into a high end niche oblivion. That said, if it comes to that, I will see that as a different means to the same end of reducing our gas…

GM and Ford can't compete with Tesla, currently, for the same reason Tesla exists to begin with. Toyota maybe, if they get their act together again.

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#15
post #7
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Considering what he's up against in the industry, I'd say what he's done is fairly remarkable. My concern would be that if at any point one of the big three see Tesla as a threat they will put efforts into creating an electric car that undercuts Tesla's offerings and catapults Tesla into a high end niche oblivion. That said, if it comes to that, I will see that as a different means to the same end of reducing our gas…

I think you would be surprised I think Tesla's strategy has three stages. 1) Niche high cost vehicle sold in low volumes(Roadster) 2) Medium cost luxury vehicle sold in medium volumes(Model S) 3) Low cost high volume vehicle sold in high volumes. (Model ???) Obviously this is a gross over simplification but I imagine that part of the engineering that is going on at TESLA is figuring out how to build 3 cheaper and at…

[deleted]

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing stopping you from doing a venture that takes advantage of federal grants and tax incentives.

$500M taxpayer-backed loans are available to anyone, now?

Instructions to sign up are right over here http://www.lgprogram.energy.gov/

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#17
post #11
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you would be surprised I think Tesla's strategy has three stages. 1) Niche high cost vehicle sold in low volumes(Roadster) 2) Medium cost luxury vehicle sold in medium volumes(Model S) 3) Low cost high volume vehicle sold in high volumes. (Model ???) Obviously this is a gross over simplification but I imagine that part of the engineering that is going on at TESLA is figuring out how to build 3 cheaper and at…

I am aware of their strategy, I just worry that the big automakers with their massive distribution and infrastructures already in place could easily come in and be 10 steps ahead of Tesla and provide a vehicle that isn't as sexy but has the same appeal to the electric car market. I could be overestimating their ability to innovate after so many years of sitting on the same old tired technology, but something tells me…

"the big automakers ... could easily come in and be 10 steps ahead of Tesla and provide a vehicle that isn't as sexy but has the same appeal to the electric car market"

Aren't they already trying to do that? Chevy's Volt, Nissan's Leaf, Ford apparently makes a fully PEV Focus now, as does Honda with a version of the Fit, and Toyota's gotta be working on the Prius...

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing stopping you from doing a venture that takes advantage of federal grants and tax incentives.

$500M taxpayer-backed loans are available to anyone, now?

Yes, if you prove you're worth it.

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing stopping you from doing a venture that takes advantage of federal grants and tax incentives.

$500M taxpayer-backed loans are available to anyone, now?

Sure... Anyone that has the skill and know how to build a company that can build a game changing product like Tesla has...

Re: Tesla Was Cash Flow Positive Last Week, CEO Musk Says

#20

Great news! Here's hoping they're able to place superchargers across the country within a year as planned. As much as one part of me wants to see Elon Musk succeed just to prove Romney wrong for calling Tesla a loser, it's more important to see Tesla do well for the benefits we may reap from companies like this trying to make better solutions and provide excellent competition to the status quo. That being said, I'm f…

Just for future reference, what's the benchmark for calling Romney's prediction accurate? Do they have to liquidate or is it enough that they fail to be able to continue to independently deliver cars to the market?

I'd love it if Tesla would succeed sheerly because their product seems so slick, but I agree with Romney that the government is a lousy institution to be picking companies that "should" get half-billion dollar loans/guarantees.

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