Tesla, TSLA & the Investment World: the Perpetual Investors' Roundtable

[ktrivedi70]

President Biden,

I am writing in reference to upcoming White House event related to new limits on greenhouse gas auto emissions and new electric vehicle sales targets; specifically I’m writing to express my concerns that Tesla Motors was not included.

I believe it is important that I make the following disclosures: I am a retired member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and a fervent follower of the Association for Union Democracy. I am a third generation union member, but more than this, I am an American, I believe in the sanctity of elections.

If free elections and self-determination are the thunderclap of democracy, innovation and ingenuity are the lightning bolts of American character. As a union member I believe in the value of good living wages, I believe in fair elections, I believe in the right to self-determination. Americans ought to have the right to join labor unions; and the right to choose not to.

I am convinced that Tesla Motors was excluded from this event, because they were not part of the United Auto Worker’s political coalition.

I am afraid sir that you have left out the lightning. I hope that you can find a way to embrace good old fashioned American ingenuity.

Indeed President Biden, climate change mandates that we bring our best and brightest to the fight.

Best regards,

Jack Leonard

I propose that this be one of those “posts of particular merit”.

 

[printf42]

Competition is coming!

Except the automajors can't match what Tesla offers: not just EVs, but electric, software-powered, updatable, appreciating assets. Lars explains this clearly:

There is car market, and EV market, and Computer on Wheels(CoW) market.

Problem is each model Tesla made were steadily losing CoW Market share. No one buys Roadster anymore, Model S, X, 3 all start to lose market share shortly after introduction, soon enough Model Y will start to lose market share too!

Busted growth story!!!

/s

 

[AudubonB]

Well written @Jackl1956 , and kudos for your courage in putting your pen where your heart, your safety and (I think) your wallet is. I grieve that not more labor union members also own a Tesla. I’ve no good ideas as to how to rectify this, other than through the inexorability of the slow(-ish!) juggernaut, but I find I can write nothing more explicit about the UAW per se without getting dangerously into forbidden territory - I’d not only have to delete my posting but probably grace myself with a 30-day ban.

 

[JusRelax]

Why not? The hardest part of that series of thoughts sounds like a robot being able to open or close the door. I dont think he actually meant drive using the steering wheel. But a tesla driving around and then a robot getting our of the car closing the drivers side door, opening the back door/truck, grabbing a package and then dropping it off and getting back in the car and driving away honestly doesn't sound all the far fetched at this point. With the exception of opening and closing a door its all pretty much stuff that we have all seen as separate things. Hell if its a model x and using the falcoln wing doors or using the hatchback auto open close its almost kinda a missed opportunity if they don't do that.

edit: The most unlikely part of a service like that existing after robotaxis come out is amazon paying tesla for delivery services really.

In a Model X, robot could easily sync via Bluetooth, and then control the doors via software. Still, I don't see this happening at AI day but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[elasalle]

Why not? The hardest part of that series of thoughts sounds like a robot being able to open or close the door. I dont think he actually meant drive using the steering wheel. But a tesla driving around and then a robot getting our of the car closing the drivers side door, opening the back door/truck, grabbing a package and then dropping it off and getting back in the car and driving away honestly doesn't sound all the far fetched at this point. With the exception of opening and closing a door its all pretty much stuff that we have all seen as separate things. Hell if its a model x and using the falcoln wing doors or using the hatchback auto open close its almost kinda a missed opportunity if they don't do that.

edit: The most unlikely part of a service like that existing after robotaxis come out is amazon paying tesla for delivery services really.

Robot in a Robo-Taxi, means the cost just went up.
2 machines, 2 FSD chips, one customer for the ride.

Better to teach the Robot to drive a car without FSD, i.e the chip, NN etc all only with the driver- maybe he gets to plug into the cars vision systems etc. - and use case might be better more for a delivery man, post man etc, garbage man etc .
cheers!!

 

[Singuy]

President Biden,

I am writing in reference to upcoming White House event related to new limits on greenhouse gas auto emissions and new electric vehicle sales targets; specifically I’m writing to express my concerns that Tesla Motors was not included.

I believe it is important that I make the following disclosures: I am a retired member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and a fervent follower of the Association for Union Democracy. I am a third generation union member, but more than this, I am an American, I believe in the sanctity of elections.

If free elections and self-determination are the thunderclap of democracy, innovation and ingenuity are the lightning bolts of American character. As a union member I believe in the value of good living wages, I believe in fair elections, I believe in the right to self-determination. Americans ought to have the right to join labor unions; and the right to choose not to.

I am convinced that Tesla Motors was excluded from this event, because they were not part of the United Auto Worker’s political coalition.

I am afraid sir that you have left out the lightning. I hope that you can find a way to embrace good old fashioned American ingenuity.

Indeed President Biden, climate change mandates that we bring our best and brightest to the fight.

Best regards,

Jack Leonard

I know you are fighting for Tesla to have a seat at the table and that the WH shouldn't treat Tesla like the 2nd distant bastard child, but Elon REALLY don't need to be at that meeting.

Elon already had this meeting with his top engineers years ago. Their result was master plan part 1/2, the gigafactory, super charging network, and battery day . They have built the blue print and gave away their patents for all to copy. Elon doesn't need to sit next to a bunch of bean counters trying to optimize something that shouldn't exist(like how to preserve ICE jobs during this transition without damaging political points).

So if they wanted to take this problem seriously, they should have put Tesla front and center. Since they didn't, then it's THEIR loss and it's more political than substance.

 

[Chunky Jr.]

Do we know for sure Elon wasn't invited to that EV meeting, or is it possible he was invited but turned it down.

 

[heltok]

I would be very surprised if Tesla demos a humanoid robot. These are so heavy, so clunky, too impractical for getting in and out in a Model S, heck they even struggle with cars made for them.

I think they will demo an automated charger for robotaxi, that seems much more related to AI day.

 

[PeterJA]

In a Model X, robot could easily sync via Bluetooth, and then control the doors via software. Still, I don't see this happening at AI day but I hope I'm wrong.

Rob discusses reasons why any Tesla robots revealed at AI Day will probably be for manufacturing, not package delivery or sale to consumers.

 

[SPadival]

Elon unfollowed Biden back in February. So I doubt he cares if Biden mentioned Tesla or not

https://twitter.com/x/status/1362049172719996930

 

[MC3OZ]

I would be very surprised if Tesla demos a humanoid robot. These are so heavy, so clunky, too impractical for getting in and out in a Model S, heck they even struggle with cars made for them.

I think they will demo an automated charger for robotaxi, that seems much more related to AI day.

SMR suggests last yard delivery - food, parcels... etc.

FSD vehicle drives to street address - robot / drone delivers parcel to front door...

Cybertruck would be ideal for drone based deliveries - roll back the bed cover, drone takes off with parcel, drone returns, close bed cover.

My expectations still centred more around factory automation, and vehicle inspection automation.

EDIT:: IMO A robot drone that could deliver and change a tire would be exciting...

EDIT2:: Another great solution would be automated fruit picking, grape harvesting etc....

 

[Jack6591]

I know you are fighting for Tesla to have a seat at the table and that the WH shouldn't treat Tesla like the 2nd distant bastard child, but Elon REALLY don't need to be at that meeting.

Elon already had this meeting with his top engineers years ago. Their result was master plan part 1/2, the gigafactory, super charging network, and battery day . They have built the blue print and gave away their patents for all to copy. Elon doesn't need to sit next to a bunch of bean counters trying to optimize something that shouldn't exist(like how to preserve ICE jobs during this transition without damaging political points).

So if they wanted to take this problem seriously, they should have put Tesla front and center. Since they didn't, then it's THEIR loss and it's more political than substance.

I’m not suggesting Tesla should have a seat at the table; I’m suggesting Tesla should have THE seat at the table based on the quantity and quality of their accomplishments.

 

[Singuy]

I’m not suggesting Tesla should have a seat at the table; I’m suggesting Tesla should have THE seat at the table based on the quantity and quality of their accomplishments.

Would love to have the recognition, but wouldn't want Tesla to be the one leading because the other automakers are blood sucking bottom line seekers. They'll have unreasonable requests such as requesting for battery allocation or an open supercharging network without any brand penalty for the sake of climate change/"needing help" while the president plays biased referee. Elon would do it too..but why should he from all those years being laughed at? We all know the best performer of any organization gets screwed the most "for the sake of the mission."

 

[StealthP3D]

I would be very surprised if Tesla demos a humanoid robot. These are so heavy, so clunky, too impractical for getting in and out in a Model S, heck they even struggle with cars made for them.

I think they will demo an automated charger for robotaxi, that seems much more related to AI day.

Yeah, a humanoid robot is not going to be revealed at AI Day. But I wonder if you are aware the video you posted was over 6 years old and who knows how much older the robots were. The last 6 years has seen astounding advances in robotics. 6 years is an eternity in robotics.

Plus, I think some of them had been drinking!

s/

 

[StealthP3D]

I’m not suggesting Tesla should have a seat at the table; I’m suggesting Tesla should have THE seat at the table based on the quantity and quality of their accomplishments.

Elon already said chairs were undervalued. But what makes you so sure he even wants that particular seat?

 

[S3XY]

Apple once again expands California self-driving test fleet - 9to5Mac

Apple has expanded its California self-driving test fleet to 69 cars and 92 drivers, according to a news story from 'macReports.'

9to5mac.com

Apple has expanded its California self-driving test fleet to 69 cars and 92 drivers, according to a report from macReports.
…
As for now, it’s unclear how Apple will promote its car. Rumors point to possible release dates in 2024, 2026, 2028, or beyond. Apple could also not be really developing a car itself but rather technology for vehicles.

I'm pretty sure this news will resurface once Apple adds another 328 drivers.

 

[ThisStockGood]

Seems Tesla was not invited

https://twitter.com/x/status/1423156475799683075

 

[mltv]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1423092327971758081

I love the part in the recording when President Trump asked "how come the stock so high?". the answer was "because he's a great salesman. millennials are buying them" then some one tell a story of his son 16 years old take some of the money that he gave him and the money he earned to buy Tesla. This recording was back in 2018. The returns that boy earn - take that old man

 

[insaneoctane]

GM was already losing $10k on every Bolt sold, and now they just announced an $800M charge for the recall. Something tells me they're lying about wanting to go 'all in on EVs'. They'll just keep coming up with excuses to delay.

Or maybe they are making money on the Bolt just like Ford says they are on the Mach-E per Ford’s Q2 earnings call….

Adam Jonas -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst

My question on EVs, right, your BEVs, when do you think that they can be a positive profit on a fully costed basis, not contribution? Like when can they be profitable? And do you think 2022 is still too early for that? My first and I have a follow-up.

John Lawler -- Chief Financial Officer

Yes. Thanks, Adam. Actually, Mach-E is profitable, contribution margin positive, and profitable on the bottom line today. So we've seen strong demand for that, yes.

So I think when we look at it, over time, as we've talked about at Capital Markets Day and we've talked about with you, we've got to ride that technology curve down. We've got to get to the $80 per kilowatt-hour for the battery pack before the end of the decade. We've got to scale the BEV content. We have commonality in the top hats and other components that will help us as well.

And then, of course, we need to build on our services and such to really improve the profitability of the BEVs as we move forward. But I can tell you that Mach-E is profitable today.

Adam Jonas -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst

Well, I mean, that's incredible at a 50,000 type run rate for that to be correct

 

[Carl Raymond]

Yeah, a humanoid robot is not going to be revealed at AI Day. But I wonder if you are aware the video you posted was over 6 years old and who knows how much older the robots were. The last 6 years has seen astounding advances in robotics. 6 years is an eternity in robotics.

Plus, I think some of them had been drinking!

s/

With any left field AI day potential reveal, the questions to consider are:
Is this useful on Mars?
Is this necessary on Mars?
Will it make a shed load of money to get humans to Mars?