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Tesla reportedly flies in 6 planes’ worth of robots in latest Model 3 push

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As part of its ongoing Model 3 push, Tesla has reportedly flown in six airplanes’ worth of new robots from Europe to California. According to sources familiar with the matter, the deliveries of the new equipment comes amidst Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s initiatives to hit the company’s self-imposed goal of producing 5,000 Model 3 per week by the end of June.

The sources, who spoke under anonymity to Reuters, stated that the deliveries of the robots were done “in a massive hurry.” One of the two individuals who spoke to the publication also noted that the first two shipments have arrived at Reno, Nevada. The robots will reportedly be installed in Gigafactory 1’s battery module production line.

Tesla, as of Friday, has so far declined to comment on the matter.

The practice of flying new equipment from one continent to another is rather unorthodox in the automotive industry. Transport by air, after all, is incredibly costly. Nevertheless, the deliveries of the new robots underscore the urgency that the electric car maker is feeling at the moment, considering its goals for the Model 3.

One of the sources also noted that engineers from Tesla’s German engineering arm, Grohmann, have been deployed to Gigafactory 1 in Nevada to address further production bottlenecks in the production of the compact electric car’s battery packs. 

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The Tesla Model 3 has been a particular pain point for the Elon Musk-led company. The vehicle has so far missed its production targets since the company began manufacturing it last year. During the Q1 2018 earnings call, however, Tesla CEO Elon Musk reiterated his stance about the company’s capability to hit a production rate of 5,000 Model 3 per week.

As noted in Tesla’s Q1 2018 Update Letter, the Model 3 line would be undergoing a series of production shutdowns that are designed to make way for improvements in the electric car’s manufacturing line. This was also outlined in a leaked email from Musk to his employees last April, which explained the upgrades that would be coming after the scheduled shutdowns.

According to Musk’s correspondence, the halt in April would enable the company to produce 3,000-4,000 Model 3 per week. Following this would be a shutdown late May, which would ultimately allow the company to achieve a rate of 5,000-6,000 Model 3 per week, thanks to what Musk described as a “comprehensive set of upgrades” to the production line.

Tesla has recently been showing encouraging signs about its Model 3 push. Just last week, the Elon Musk-led company registered 7,237 new Model 3 VINs, its largest single batch to date. Another leaked email from Musk also revealed that the company is producing 500 vehicles a day, or 3,500 Model 3 a week.

Just recently, the company also opened orders for the Model 3’s dual-motor AWD and Performance variants. The two new options of the Model 3, as stated by Musk in a previous tweet, will be offered by Tesla as soon as the company is able to manufacture 5,000 Model 3 per week consistently. Considering that Tesla just sent out the first batch of configuration invites for the dual-motor AWD and Performance Model 3, it appears that the company is starting to become a bit more confident in its ability to manufacture its most ambitious vehicle to date.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Investor's Corner

Tesla gets its best analysis from Morgan Stanley as ‘it’s all about to change’

He maintained its ‘Overweight’ rating and the $410 price target Morgan Stanley had on the stock.

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla has gotten perhaps its best analysis from Morgan Stanley in quite some time, as the Wall Street firm claims that “it’s all about to change.”

That phrase could be used for both the company’s status and the world in general.

Analyst Adam Jonas said in a new note on Thursday to investors that Tesla could be one of the major winners in terms of the global transition from what it is now to what it will be.

He describes the global shift that will occur over the next few years:

“Have you interacted with a robot today? Have you even seen a robot today? No? Well, take a mental picture because it’s all about to change. When we meet someone who has never been in a Waymo or a Tesla Cybercab (which is most people), we frequently see a wince and a response such as ‘I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable getting in a car without a driver.’ We imagine going back in time to 1903 and asking people if they’d feel comfortable in an airplane.’”

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The same technological revolutions that have occurred over the past 150 years will continue to occur again and again. We are on the verge of another, Jonas believes, as companies like Tesla are working on artificial intelligence tech, which includes changing the way we look at things like transportation and labor.

Jonas includes an interesting tidbit in his note about how humanoid robots could change wages, and how it could work into the advantage of Tesla, especially as it is developing its own Optimus robot:

“We estimate 1 humanoid robot at $5/hour can do the work of 2 humans at $25/hour, generating an NPV of approximately $200k/humanoid. 1 robot shaped car can potentially drive down cost/mile of a ride share vehicle to <$0.20 mile (1/10th human-driven ride-share).”

Jonas sees Tesla as a key player in how AI will impact things like manufacturing and various automotive industries, and he believes there is long-term potential for AI, robomobility, and even autonomous eVTOL platforms.

Tesla stock: Morgan Stanley says eVTOL is calling Elon Musk for new chapter

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He maintained its ‘Overweight’ rating and the $410 price target Morgan Stanley had on the stock.

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Tesla stock gets crazy prediction from CEO Elon Musk

Musk says this is what it would take to be a millionaire from a Tesla investment right now.

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A red Tesla Roadster driving around a turn
(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla stock (NASDAQ: TSLA) got a crazy prediction from CEO Elon Musk recently, as the future of the company seems to be moving more toward AI, autonomy, and robotics, and away from automotive, which is what it has traditionally been recognized as.

Over the past few years, as Tesla has prioritized its Full Self-Driving suite, its rollout of a dedicated Robotaxi program, and the development of the Optimus bot, the company has gained a new reputation from analysts.

It was always looked at as a stock with tremendous potential by many Wall Street firms, some more than others.

The most bullish analysts, like Cathie Wood of ARK Invest, believe the company will eventually reach a multi-trillion-dollar valuation and a share price of over $2,000. Her $2,600 price target does not include any contributions of Optimus. Instead, it leans on Full Self-Driving and Robotaxi.

Tesla tops Cathie Wood’s stock picks, predicts $2,600 surge

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Based on where the company is now, there are a lot of potential catalysts. The Robotaxi expansion, as well as affordable vehicles, its prowess in AI and Robotics, and its powerful energy division are all arguments for investment.

One X user said that a $150,000 investment in Tesla right now would likely make you a millionaire. Musk said he thinks that sentiment is “probably correct.”

He’s echoed this belief in recent earnings calls, including the one for Q2, which happened in July:

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“I do think if Tesla continues to execute well with vehicle autonomy and humanoid robot autonomy, it will be the most valuable company in the world. A lot of execution between here and there. It doesn’t just happen. Provided we execute very well, I think Tesla has a shot at being the most valuable company in the world. Obviously, I am extremely optimistic about the future of the company.”

Tesla is trading at $316.50 at the time of writing, and has a market cap of just under $1 trillion.

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Tesla stock gets another analysis from Jim Cramer, and investors will like it

“Tesla is morphing right now. It’s in transition from being a car company to being a technology company.”

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Credit: CNBC Television/YouTube

Tesla stock (NASDAQ: TSLA) got its latest analysis from Jim Cramer, and investors will like what he has to say.

Cramer has flip-flopped his thoughts on Tesla shares many times over the years. One time, he said CEO Elon Musk was a genius; the next, he said Ford stock was a better play. He’s always changing his tune.

However, Cramer’s most recent analysis is of a bullish tone, as he talks about the company’s evolution from an automaker to a tech powerhouse. He made the comments on CNBC’s Mad Money:

“Tesla is morphing right now. It’s in transition from being a car company to being a technology company. You wanna be in there because the tech is worth a lot more than what it’s selling for right now. Don’t care where you bought it, care where it’s going to.”

Tesla has always been looked at by the mainstream media as an automaker. While that is its main business currently, Tesla has always had other divisions: Energy, Solar, Charging, AI, and Robotics. Some came after others, but the important point is that Tesla has not been an automaker exclusively for a decade.

It launched Powerwall and Powerpack in April 2015, marking the start of Tesla Energy.

But Cramer has a point here: Tesla is truly becoming much more than a car company, and it is turning into an AI and overall tech company more than ever before. Eventually, it will be recognized as such, more so than it will be as an automotive company.

Cramer’s comments also follow a recent prediction by Musk, who stated on X that he believes a $150,000 investment in Tesla shares right now would eventually turn someone into a millionaire:

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Musk has said he believes Tesla could be headed to a serious increase in valuation. Eventually, it could become the most valuable company in the world. He said this during the Q2 Earnings Call:

“I do think if Tesla continues to execute well with vehicle autonomy and humanoid robot autonomy, it will be the most valuable company in the world. A lot of execution between here and there. It doesn’t just happen. Provided we execute very well, I think Tesla has a shot at being the most valuable company in the world. Obviously, I am extremely optimistic about the future of the company.”

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