Tesla’s performance in stock market remained fluctuated since CEO Elon Musk’s decision to buy $1.5 billion Bitcoin and rising concerns about safety and quality of Tesla vehicles from Chinese customers.
However, the company gained 30 percent at the S&P 500 after it registered record profit in second quarter.
Analysts predict another feat for the company when it will be publishing its positive results backed by strong shipments in the past three months despite hike in its prices due to a chip shortage and supply issues. With the potential positive financial results, the $870 billion carmaker could join the club of corporate titans like Amazon, Microsoft and Apple, which have over $1 trillion value.
Earlier this month, Musk claimed that his company can keep at least 50 percent annual growth rate in sales. He only considered the issue of shipment from China, playing down the chip shortage. But this problem would be wiped out with the opening of a new factory in Europe that would reduce burden of imports from China.
However, there are still 5 major issues that can create a hurdle for Tesla to join $1 trillion club.
Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg
Tesla’s upcoming project in Germany is facing a challenge from the local advocacy groups who are voicing concern over the plant’s effects on the region. A German television channel also run a documentary over the potential threats to the region’s water supply and the carmaker’s so-called anti-union policies. The company is depending on the plant for massive production for Europe and Musk wants to deliver the first Model Y vehicles from the factory before year-end. But Musk may have to demolish the plant if the site does not get final approval.
Cybertruck
Tesla has suddenly withdrawn its upcoming Cybertruck from its online ordering site without giving any explanation. The move shocked over one million customers who had already placed their orders. There are some speculations that Tesla pulled the vehicle due to rising cost or it was just like Musk’s previous decision when he cancelled the Model S Plaid+ this summer. This move may be risky for Tesla at the time when its rival Rivian is launching R1T.
Megapack
Tesla is working on storing renewable energy after soaring prices of various fossil fuels. The company has already installed its household Powerwall and industrial-size Megapack systems in Lathrop, California. Houston city is also set to install Tesla’s 100 MW battery farm. But the overall project is slowing down with the chips required for these products being supplied to the company’s cars.
Full Self-Driving beta
This month, Tesla gave early access of Full Self Driving beta program to its American customers. The move has created some risks as well. Analysts are raising questions that how the experimental technology can be given to customers. They are also of the view that the program’s name is misleading as it shows the system has the capability of self-driving which it does not have. Musk has also proposed that the program should not be handed over to the customers having poor driving records. Despite Musk’s suggestion, Tesla granted Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, access to the program, ignoring his terrible official safety score.
Tesla Bot
Tesla announced its Project Optimus in August to develop a humanoid robot prototype. Musk had claimed that the bot would be able to perform dangerous tasks. However, he also warned of threats of artificial intelligence. The project was launched jut weeks after Tesla’s South Korean rival Hyundai purchased Boston Dynamics to produce robots. Analysts are raising concern over Tesla’s project despite AI threats.
