Big Sales, But Not Top Dog
Tesla sales. Tesla rocked record sales in the last three months of 2023, but here’s the kicker – it lost its crown as the top electric vehicle (EV) maker. Yep, the Chinese car giant BYD sold more EVs, but Tesla still took the cake for total yearly sales. That said, BYD’s vehicles aren’t available in North America yet.
Growing Competition
Tesla’s had a good run with nearly 20% growth in the fourth quarter, but it’s a slowdown compared to the 38% gain it scored earlier in the year. Even though Tesla’s aiming for a 50% annual growth, it’s not quite there.
EV Market Slowing Down
Not just Tesla, but all brands are feeling the slowdown in EV demand. Legacy players like Ford and General Motors pumped the brakes on EV production, despite their future plans to shift towards electric rides.
Bright Spots and Snags
In Norway, EVs are the rage, making up a whopping 82% of all car sales in 2023. But hey, overall car sales dropped 8%, and EV sales even dipped 5%. Tesla still led the pack there, even with some union disputes causing delivery hiccups.
Challenges Galore
Tesla’s dealing with tougher competition and higher costs, so they slashed car prices to keep sales up. But that’s eating into their profits. Plus, some of their rides lost federal tax credits, denting the appeal for buyers.
Hurdles on the Road
Tesla’s faced some rough patches lately. A massive recall hit nearly 2 million cars due to safety concerns with their Autodrive feature. Also, Elon Musk’s controversies and tweets stirred up a storm, but it’s unclear if that’s affected Tesla’s sales.
What’s Next for Tesla?
Analysts like Dan Ives see Tesla’s sales growth as a positive sign, especially hitting 1.8 million vehicles in 2023. But Tesla didn’t spill the beans on how many Cybertrucks they sold, clumping them in with other luxury models. Musk warned it’ll take a while to rev up Cybertruck production.
Playing Catch-Up in the Pickup Game
Tesla’s playing catch-up in the electric pickup game against Ford, GM, and Rivian. Rivian delivered about 14,000 trucks in the last quarter, zooming up 73% from a year ago.
Stock Shake-Up
Tesla’s stock took a wild ride. It doubled in 2023, bouncing back from losses in 2022, but it’s taken a dip lately, losing around 15% from its peak in July and dropping 5% in December.
Bottom Line
So, Tesla’s been selling like hotcakes, but it’s facing tough competition, some hiccups, and market slowdowns. It’s a bumpy road, but analysts still see some bright spots for the EV giant.
