Tesla (ticker: TSLA) will soon be releasing its second-quarter financial results, and while investors will certainly be looking at key metrics such as earnings per share, revenue, and profit margins, there are other important factors that will have a significant impact on the company’s long-term outlook.
Capacity Expansion
One area of interest is Tesla’s manufacturing capacity. Currently, the company has the ability to produce approximately 2 million to 2.5 million vehicles per year across its four assembly plants located in California, Texas, Shanghai, and near Berlin. However, investors anticipate further expansion beyond these facilities. In fact, Tesla has already announced plans for a new plant in Mexico, and CEO Elon Musk has hinted at potential investments in India. Additionally, there are reports indicating that Tesla intends to double the size of its German plant.
Fast and Cost-effective Expansion
The speed and cost efficiency with which Tesla can expand its manufacturing footprint will be a significant topic of discussion during an upcoming conference call for investors. This call, hosted by Tesla management, is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Model 2 and Beyond
The future launch of Tesla’s next generation electric vehicle, often referred to as the Model 2 by investors, is another focal point. The new Mexico plant is expected to eventually produce this smaller, lower-priced vehicle. It is crucial for Tesla to introduce new models in order to expand its market reach. While the Model Y remains popular and continues to sell well, sales volume for the Model 3 has not been growing as rapidly.
The Cybertruck’s Impact
Notably, the next major product launch for Tesla is not the Model 2, but rather the highly anticipated Cybertruck. Over the weekend, Tesla announced that it had produced the first non-prototype Cybertruck at its plant in Austin, Texas. Investors are keenly interested in how many Cybertrucks will be manufactured and delivered in 2023. Analysts on Wall Street currently project around 10,000 units for that year, but if the numbers exceed expectations, earnings estimates will likely be adjusted upwards.
Overall, Tesla’s financial performance is certainly important, but the company’s capacity expansion, manufacturing efficiency, introduction of new models, and success with product launches will all play a crucial role in shaping its long-term success.
Tesla’s Diverse Business Ventures
Tesla, known primarily for its groundbreaking electric cars, has made notable strides in various other industries as well. In particular, the company recently grabbed attention with the announcement of collaborations with multiple automakers to extend access to the Tesla supercharging network to non-Tesla electric vehicles.
While the topic of supercharging deals may not generate as much buzz as Tesla’s non-automotive ventures, it is worth noting that the company’s battery-storage capabilities have surprised investors. In the first quarter, Tesla deployed a remarkable 3,889 megawatt-hours of battery storage—a record-breaking figure that reflects a staggering 360% increase compared to the previous year.
Another area that garners significant attention is Tesla’s artificial intelligence (AI) business. Following Nvidia’s impressive first-quarter performance, which proved better than expected, Tesla’s stock saw a remarkable 60% surge. This surge was driven in part by the fact that Tesla utilizes AI technology not only to enhance its autonomous driving features but also to develop advanced robotics. The potential of Tesla’s robot business has captivated the imaginations of investors.
Looking ahead to earnings, analysts anticipate second-quarter earnings per share of approximately 80 cents for Tesla. While this figure is slightly higher than the 76 cents reported a year ago, it represents a slight decline from the 85 cents reported in the previous quarter.
As of Monday’s closing, Tesla’s stock stood at $290.38—an increase of 3.2% and a market capitalization exceeding $900 billion. Tuesday’s premarket trading saw a minor decline of 0.1% in Tesla’s shares, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite futures faced a 0.1% and 0.2% decrease, respectively.