Thread

1. rgmerk · 1790747861 · focus · HN ↗

   Look, I get that Elon wants to chase AI, but why not do relatively simple, low-cost things like build a proper 7-seat SUV that uses the Cybertruck platform - or even a properly stretched Model Y platform (rather than the six-seater L)? Or how about a delivery van on a stretched Y platform?

   Tesla's product line is narrow and aging rapidly.

   1. yodsanklai · 1790748443 · focus · HN ↗

      Do they still care about cars though or they're chasing some new things after losing to the Chinese.

      1. fooker · 1790751746 · focus · HN ↗

         >after losing to the Chinese

         The total market cap of all the Chinese car companies combined is about 300B.

         Tesla alone is worth ~5x that, because the market rewards this behavior of chasing new things.

         If Tesla suddenly pivoted to 'caring about cars' and tried their best to produce low cost reliable EVs, the market is going to punish them by valuing them at less than 300B. That is, if they succeed at that. If they fail, which would be more plausible, they go bankrupt.

         Why would they voluntarily do that?

         We could do that by changing public opinion or regulating what public companies must do/report, but that seems somewhat unlikely. It's so much easier to claim that autonomous driving will be solved in six months :)

         1. alphabeta3r56 · 1790757504 · focus · HN ↗

            BYD had revenue of 110B while tesla had 96B and both have around 4B dollar of profits. BYD also has better credit line (from Chinese govt), which is the whole point of market cap. I dont think official market cap value reflrct this reality.

            1. schiffern · 1790758376 · focus · HN ↗

               Did BYD stop losing money on EVs yet?

               Last I checked they (still) never release their EV profit alone, always bundling the numbers with plug-in hybrids and high-margin battery sales to other companies. If BYD made money on EVs there'd be no need for shenanigans.

               1. 6510 · 1790821497 · focus · HN ↗

                  It doesn't work like that overthere. It's just like there is no need to make profit from trains. We have road tax, it isn't enough to cover road maintenance. They are just investing in driving their economy all kinds of places... almost literally.

                  I got a new job once, the boss asked me what I thought after a few days. I told him I wouldn't be around for very long. "why?" It took me 2 hours to figure out you don't get it. "how?" Well, you have a coin operated coffee machine in the lunch room. It tells me everything I need to know. "But it's just 50 cents?" I laugh and point at him, EXACTLY! Now tell me how it tastes. "I don't know, I have my own machine upstairs" I dig in my pocket and pull out a shiny 50 cent coin. HERE! "what is that for?" I say, it's uhhh just 50 cents? "Why are you giving me 50 cents?", well technically you should explain to me why I would have to give you 50 cents but okay, you are selling a product in the lunch room, I suggest you go and test if it lives up to your standards. He actually walked off to the lunch room, I could see though the window that he put my 50 cents in the machine, then he waited... the cup filled up slowly... he took a sip then spit it into the sink. He came back but I was unable to continue the conversations, I couldn't stop laughing so he walked away. I wanted to say it tasted like: I need to get away from this place as fast as possible.

                  1. [deleted] · 1790824724 · focus · HN ↗

                     [deleted]

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