Weekly Update for Tesla on July 25: Introduction of Model Y Variants, Elon Musk's Protests, Safety Measures for Superchargers, and BYD's Rally
Tesla, the electric vehicle giant, is facing a challenging start to 2025. While the company continues to innovate and expand its offerings, its sales figures have taken a hit.
Falling Tesla Stock Amid Rising Market
Other tech stocks and the S&P 500 index are on the rise, but Tesla's stock is falling. Since the beginning of the year, the Tesla stock has lost about 12 percent.
Decline in Sales
Tesla sold fewer electric vehicles in January 2025 compared to the previous year, both in the US and Europe. Interestingly, local competitor BYD managed to hold on with a 3.2% drop in electric vehicle sales in China, while Tesla saw a 15% drop. BYD's exports increased to around 66,000 NEV (New Energy Vehicles) in January, resulting in an overall increase of around 50% compared to January 2024.
Anticipation for the Refreshed Model Y
Fund manager Gary Black argues that the decline in Tesla sales is not due to the unpopularity of CEO Elon Musk, but rather because customers are waiting for the refreshed Model Y. The refreshed Model Y, highly anticipated, is now available for order and some German customers report receiving delivery dates as early as late February. Tesla plans to offer the electric car in the updated form with a third row by the end of this year, making it a seven-seater option.
Political Involvement and its Impact
Elon Musk's political involvement has led to increased criticisms of both the CEO and the Tesla brand, according to a MarketWatch report. Musk's recent political actions, particularly the creation of a new third party called the "America Party," have stirred public and media attention. However, as of late July 2025, there is no current documented evidence that these actions have significantly harmed or boosted Tesla’s sales or overall brand reputation in the marketplace.
Other Developments
Tesla is testing protection for Superchargers against theft and vandalism. There was an arson attack on the Tesla Gigafactory in Brandenburg, Grünheide. Tesla announced technical advances in its Supercharger technology, enabling V4 charging pillars to deliver up to 500 kilowatts of power.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, Tesla continues to push the boundaries of innovation. The seven-seater option for the Model Y was introduced in Europe in October 2024 and is currently not available for the Launch Series. Tesla also plans to offer the Model Y as a performance version. Three variants of the old Model Y remain in the configurator in Europe and the US, with only the one with the smaller battery and rear-wheel drive deactivated.
Tesla's Vice President of Vehicle Development, Lars Moravy, stated that real autonomous driving is closer than most people realize. As Tesla navigates through these challenging times, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the company's future.
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/17/elon-musk-launches-super-pac-to-support-centrist-candidates.html [2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-politics-musk/elon-musk-announces-new-political-party-the-america-party-idUSKBN2D126L [3] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-politics-musk-idUSKBN2D126L [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/17/us/politics/elon-musk-politics-trump.html [5] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-s-new-political-party-america-party-struggles-gain-traction-n1270671
- Despite the fall in Tesla's stock price, the broader industry sectors such as the technology and finance sectors, as well as the S&P 500 index, are experiencing growth.
- Tesla's sales of electric vehicles have decreased significantly in January 2025 compared to the previous year across various global markets, including the US, Europe, and even China where their competitor BYD has managed to hold on with a minimal drop.
- The decline in Tesla's sales is not solely attributed to the unpopularity of CEO Elon Musk, as some suggest, but rather customers are holding off on purchasing due to the highly anticipated refreshed Model Y.
- Elon Musk's political involvement has led to increased criticisms, but there is currently no evidence showing a significant impact on Tesla’s sales or overall brand reputation in the marketplace.
- Tesla is expanding its offerings by testing protection for Superchargers and making technical advancements in its Supercharger technology. They are also planning to offer the Model Y as a seven-seater and performance version.
- Looking ahead, Tesla continues to push boundaries in innovation, with real autonomous driving closer than many realize, as stated by the company's Vice President of Vehicle Development, Lars Moravy.
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