Connect with us

News

Tesla primed to conquer stronger demand with Giga Shanghai output levels: Barclays

Credit: Wu Wa/YouTube

Published

on

Tesla is primed to conquer what Barclays believes is an indication of stronger demand for vehicles coming from its Giga Shanghai production plant in China after it was revealed earlier this week the facility was running at full capacity.

After several reports of production volume cuts earlier this year, it seems Tesla is pushing Giga Shanghai to max capacity in order to handle what is assumed to be increased demand in China and other markets that the plant exports to.

The automaker has had strong insurance registration figures but has also dealt with an influx of competitors offering less expensive EVs.

Now that Tesla is through the first half of the year, the company may be preparing to handle what could be higher demand based on the fact that the factory is running at what Chinese media said was full capacity.

Analysts at Barclays believe the increased production capacity points to higher demand as long as inventory levels are low, in a recent note to investors.

Advertisement

The firm stated the production levels in China “indicate stronger demand,” which would see Tesla potentially reach higher delivery levels in the second half of 2024.

Through the first half of the year, Tesla has delivered 830,766 cars, putting it at a pace of just over 1.6 million for 2024. This would be a decline compared to 2023 when Tesla reported 1.81 million vehicle deliveries.

Of course, Tesla noted in its Q4 2023 Shareholder Deck to investors that the development of the next-gen platform could bring a “notably lower growth rate” in 2024 compared to 2023:

“Our company is currently between two major growth waves: the first one began with the global expansion of the Model 3/Y platform, and the next one we believe will be initiated by the global expansion of the next-generation vehicle platform. In 2024, our vehicle volume growth rate may be notably lower than the growth rate achieved in 2023 as our teams work on the launch of the next-generation vehicle at Gigafactory Texas.”

Tesla will unveil its Robotaxi in the coming months. The event was set for August but was delayed due to CEO Elon Musk’s requested design changes.

Advertisement

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

Comments

Elon Musk

Tesla offers new discounts on Cybertruck inventory

Tesla is knocking up to $10,550 off of Cybertruck units in inventory

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla is offering new discounts on Cybertruck units in inventory, giving customers a chance to snag a unit of the all-electric pickup for a slight reduction in price. Some are even coming with additional perks to make the offer even sweeter.

Tesla is now offering up to $10,550 off of Cybertruck inventory units across the United States. This is up from previous discounts of $6,000 on inventory Cybertrucks, and it will apply to 2024 model year vehicles.

Non-Foundation Series Cybertrucks are getting up to $10,550 off of their original prices, while Foundation Series pickups are getting up to $10,000 off. These are great deals and should help clear out some inventory from last year’s models.

Additionally, Foundation Series Cybertrucks purchased will receive free lifetime Supercharging, another great addition to make the deal even better than the $10,000 off.

The move comes as Tesla is still ramping Cybertruck production and is hoping to stimulate some additional demand for the vehicle, as it is holding on to these units. These are not Demo Drive units that have been driven by any number of people who were looking for a quick test drive.

Tesla launched a new configuration of the Cybertruck just last week with the Long Range Rear-Wheel-Drive, which undercuts the All-Wheel-Drive option by roughly $10,000.

Advertisement

Tesla released the Cybertruck RWD to make the AWD look like a deal

However, Tesla stripped the vehicle of several features, including Air Suspension, a tonneau cover, and interior features. For example, the Rear-Wheel-Drive trim of the Cybertruck has textile seats and no rear touchscreen, two things that come standard in the other trim levels.

The Cybertruck is the best-selling electric pickup in the United States, outperforming formidable competitors like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV. However, Tesla is still working to get the vehicle to a lower price point that makes it more accessible to consumers, as its current pricing is a far cry from what was intended.

Continue Reading

News

Rivian grapples with challenges from Trump’s auto tariffs

Rivian CEO warns Trump’s auto tariffs will squeeze the EV industry. Scaringe says auto tariffs threaten rising costs & slower production.

Published

on

(Credit: Rivian)

Rivian is grappling with challenges arising from President Trump’s auto tariff. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe recently enumerated the difficulties automakers face and elaborated on the impact of Trump’s auto tariffs on the electric vehicle (EV) industry.  

President Trump’s auto tariffs were announced last month, imposing 25% tariffs on imported vehicles effective April 3, 2025, and levies on auto parts starting in May.

Scaringe talked a bit about the complexity of the automotive supply chain with Fox Business. Rivian’s R1T pickup, R1S SUV, and commercial electric van are manufactured at its Normal, Illinois plant. Scaringe boasted that Rivian has a “very U.S.-centric supply chain.

Yet, the complex global supply chain poses hurdles for U.S. automakers who want to comply with Trump’s auto tariffs.

Advertisement

“One of the things with automotive is the supply chain is so complex, where we have hundreds of suppliers providing parts from, say, a headlight or a tow hook or tires or the structure under the skin here that are coming from not only a set of suppliers that supply to us, but those suppliers have suppliers, and then in turn, those suppliers have suppliers, so there’s tier two, tier three,” Scaringe explained.

China’s restrictions on rare-earth material exports–in response to Trump’s 145% tariff on Chinese imports–further complicate matters. Rare-earth materials are critical for EV motor magnets and batteries. Nearly all rare-earth materials are processed exclusively in China.

“The trade restrictions and what we’re seeing in terms of rare earth metals out of China, that’s a real challenge for electric vehicles,” Scaringe noted.

Batteries comprise up to 40% of an EV’s cost. Goldman Sachs noted that battery costs have been falling in recent years. The investment bank estimated EV battery costs would drop by 50% between 2023 and 2026. However, China’s decision to restrict rare-earth materials may increase battery costs.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called the tariffs a source of “pure chaos” for the auto industry, stating, “A U.S. car made entirely with U.S. parts is a fictional tale.”

Ives warned automakers could increase car prices between $5,000 to $10,000. Wedbush predicts a potential change in Trump’s auto parts tariffs could ease disruptions.

Advertisement

For Rivian, starting prices near $70,000 limit room for cost increases without impacting sales. As trade tensions escalate, Rivian faces rising costs and potential production slowdowns, threatening its growth in a shifting EV landscape.

Continue Reading

News

New Starlink router gets FCC approval, hints at dish upgrades

The new Starlink router hints at upcoming dish upgrades & faster service. SpaceX is setting the stage for 2 Gbps internet

Published

on

Starlink-router-fcc-approval-dish-upgrades
(Credit: Starlink)

SpaceX’s new Starlink router, model UTR-251, has secured FCC approval for U.S. sales. The new Starlink router hints at upcoming dish upgrades and improvements to SpaceX’s satellite internet service.

Starlink’s new router design and specs suggest ties to an updated high-performance dish or a new Starlink product. The UTR-251 succeeds the Gen 3 router (UTR-231 and UTR-232), launched in 2023.

Unlike its predecessor’s dual Ethernet ports, Starlink’s new router features a single port designed for “Indoor Use only,” with a vertical form resembling the Gen 2 router. FCC filings reveal WiFi 6 support and a higher “watt output” for expanded frequencies, including the 5.9GHz UNII-4 band, enhancing spectrum access.

Tim Belfall, a director at UK-based Starlink installer Westend WiFi, noted the router’s lower power needs. The new Starlink router needs a 9 Volt by 1.6 Amp, 14.4-watt input, compared to the Gen 3’s higher demands. The new router has significantly lower power requirements than the current Gen 3 router, suggesting compatibility with a smaller Starlink dish.

SpaceX is developing three new dish models, including a refreshed flat high-performance dish for enterprise users. Ukrainian engineer Oleg Kutkov noticed recent code changes in Starlink dishes, which he believes means SpaceX is ready to produce its high-performance dish.

Advertisement

In a webinar last month, SpaceX teased a new Starlink dish promising gigabit internet speeds, far surpassing the current average. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell highlighted the upgrade in 2024, stating, “Next generation, we’ll have smaller beams, more capacity per beam, lower latency.” She projected speeds up to 2 gigabits with the next-gen dish, positioning Starlink as a leader in high-speed satellite internet.

The UTR-251’s approval marks a step toward SpaceX’s vision of enhanced connectivity, though its exact role remains unclear. As SpaceX refines its hardware, the router’s advanced specs and efficiency underscore its push for faster, more reliable internet.

Continue Reading

Trending