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Tesla’s logistical challenges just “a narrow speed bump:” Wedbush analyst
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said that Tesla’s logistical challenges are “a narrow speed bump.”
Over the weekend, Tesla released its delivery and production results. The company produced 365,923 units in Q3 2022 and delivered 343,830 vehicles.
The Elon Musk-led company missed Wall Street’s expectations by about 5%. The Street predicted that Tesla would deliver around 350,000 units in Q3. Long-time TSLA analysts who have been bullish on Tesla, like New Street’s Pierre Farragu and Dan Ives, forecasted that deliveries would be around 360,000 units.
Why is 340K+ a record-breaking miss?
Telsa’s Q3 2022 delivery report is record-breaking. Tesla delivered 310,048 units in the first quarter and 254,695 vehicles in Q2 2022. However, not everyone would consider Q3 2022 as a winning quarter for Tesla.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Dan Ives stated that Wall Street would view Tesla’s delivery report as a “cup half empty.” In other words, Tesla’s Q3 2022 delivery results are a miss in Wall Street’s eyes.
The Wedbush analyst acknowledged that logistics played into Tesla’s delivery report in Q3, specifically in China. The EV automaker mentioned logistical challenges in its delivery and production report.
-->“As our production volumes continue to grow, it is becoming increasingly challenging to secure vehicle transportation capacity and at a reasonable cost during these peak logistics weeks,” Tesla noted.
Ives explained that Tesla’s demand “continues to be robust.” However, Tesla’s demand also continues to “outstrip supply.” Elon Musk and other Tesla executives share the Wedbush analyst’s thoughts on the topic of demand.
“I believe this is more of a speed bump in logistical issue in terms of delivering cars to customers at the end of the quarters rather than ultimately demand really starting to come off,” Ives said.
Wedbush Securities estimated that around 15,000 to 20,000 Tesla vehicles are either in-transit or have not been delivered to customers. Ives highlighted that logistical issues have become a problem. He clarified that many automakers are facing the same logistical issues as Tesla. In addition, the supply chain continues to be a complex space to maneuver for automakers.
“It’s a problem because it’s also the expense. If you look in Europe as well as what we’ve seen in China, the expenses to get customers’ actual cars in their hands have been astronomical,” Ives said.
-->“I think Tesla has started to balance that and basically be fine with ultimate deliveries that could push quarter to quarter. And that’s what happened this quarter.”
Wedbush Securities believes Tesla is still a “BUY.” Ives reiterated that the investment firm believes Tesla’s Q3 2022 delivery results are just “a narrow speed bump.” He added that Tesla’s current stock price is a buying opportunity for investors. As of this writing, TSLA’s share price is $265.25.
Disclaimer: I own TSLA stocks.
The Teslarati team would appreciate hearing from you. If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via Twitter @Writer_01001101.
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Tesla starts laying the groundwork for FSD tests in Austria
The job opening comes as the company pushes regulatory approvals and data collection in new European markets.
Tesla seems to be ramping its efforts to hire key personnel for FSD’s eventual expansion in Europe. This was hinted at in a new job listing for a vehicle operator role in Vienna, Austria.
The job opening comes as the company pushes regulatory approvals and data collection in new European markets.
Vienna’s vehicle operator role
Tesla posted the job for “Fahrer (Vehicle Operator) (m/w/d)” in its Vienna office on its Careers website, seeking candidates to drive and monitor test vehicles as part of the Autopilot and AI team. The role involves collecting real-world driving data to refine Full Self-Driving systems for the country’s local roads. Responsibilities include operating vehicles in urban and highway environments, documenting system performance, among other tasks.
Applicants need a valid Austrian driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience. Fluency in English is essential, along with a familiarity with driver assist systems. Tesla noted that the position offers a minimum annual gross salary of EUR 32,000, though relevant professional experience and qualifications will be taken into account. Similar to other Tesla roles, the position also offers TSLA stock as an incentive.
Tesla’s FSD Push in Europe
Tesla’s FSD efforts in Europe have accelerated in recent months, with significant progress in Spain serving as a key milestone. In July 2025, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic launched the ES-AV framework to standardize automated vehicle testing, authorizing Tesla for nationwide FSD trials with 19 vehicles under Phase 3, which allows optional onboard safety operators and remote monitoring.
-->The program, running through November 2027, aims to position Spain as a leader in the field, as DGT stated: “The program is designed to complement and enhance oversight, regulation, research, and transparency efforts, as well as to support innovation and advancements in automotive technology and industry.”
Beyond Spain, Tesla has conducted FSD demonstrations in Germany, France and Italy for consumers, while pursuing national approval in the Netherlands for early 2026.
News
Tesla Semi factory looks almost complete during Thanksgiving weekend
Based on recent drone videos, the Tesla Semi factory looks practically ready to start operations.
It appears that the Tesla Semi factory near Giga Nevada is already hard at work preparing for the initial production of the Class 8 all-electric truck. This was, at least, hinted at in a recent drone flyover of the facility from a longtime watcher.
The Tesla Semi factory after Thanksgiving
Drone operator and Tesla Semi advocate @HinrichsZane recently shared some footage he captured of the upcoming facility during the Thanksgiving weekend. Based on his video, it appears that Tesla gave its employees in the area the weekend off. One thing is evident from the video, however, and that is the fact that the Tesla Semi factory looks practically ready to start operations.
The Tesla Semi watcher did point out that the electric vehicle maker is still busy bringing in production equipment into the facility itself. Once these are installed, it would not be surprising if initial production of the Tesla Semi begins.
A new Tesla Semi
The upcoming completion of the Tesla Semi factory near Gigafactory Nevada seems all but inevitable in the coming months. What would be especially interesting, however, would be the vehicles that would be produced on the site. During Elon Musk’s presentation at the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, a glimpse of the production Tesla Semi was shown, and it looks quite a bit different than the Class 8 all-electric truck’s classic appearance.
As could be seen in the graphic from the CEO’s presentation, the updated Tesla Semi will feature slim lightbar headlights similar to the new Tesla Model Y, Cybertruck, and the Cybercab. Tesla also teased a number of aerodynamic improvements that increased the truck’s efficiency to 1.7 kWh per mile. Extended camera units, seemingly for FSD, could also be seen in the graphic.
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Tesla scores major hire as Apple scientist moves to Optimus team
Chen, who advanced from individual contributor to technical lead during his time at Apple, noted that he was blown away by Tesla’s efforts and synergy.
Former Apple research scientist Yilun Chen has left the tech giant to join Tesla’s Optimus AI team. Chen, who advanced from individual contributor to technical lead during his time at Apple, noted that he was blown away by Tesla’s efforts and synergy.
Apple veteran closes a major chapter
In a farewell note, Yilun Chen reflected on his tenure at Apple as a period defined by rapid growth and exposure to notable internal projects, some of which remain unreleased. His roles spanned engineering, research, early product incubation, and hands-on prototyping, allowing him to build expertise across both mature and emerging teams.
Chen credited mentors, colleagues, and cross-functional collaborators for shaping his trajectory, calling the experience unforgettable and emphasizing how each team taught him different lessons about scaling technology, guiding product vision, and navigating fast-moving research environments. “Each role has offered me invaluable unique lessons… My deepest gratitude goes to my colleagues, mentors and friends,” he wrote.
Tesla’s Optimus lab secured the hire
Chen said the move to Tesla was driven by the momentum surrounding Optimus, a humanoid robot powered by LLM-driven reasoning and Physical AI. After visiting Tesla’s Optimus lab, he admitted that he was “totally blown away by the scale and sophistication of the Optimus lab and deep dedication of people when I got to visit the office.”
His first week at Tesla, he noted, involved spontaneous deep-tech discussions, a flat team structure, rapid prototyping cycles, and what he called a “crazy ideas with super-fast iterations” culture. Chen emphasized that the team’s ambition, as well as its belief that humanoid robots are now within reach, creates an energy level that feels aimed at changing the world.
-->“You can feel the energy to change the world here,” he wrote in a post on social media.
Tesla starts laying the groundwork for FSD tests in Austria
Tesla Semi factory looks almost complete during Thanksgiving weekend
