2018 LEAF Vs Tesla Model 3 SR: A Comparison Table for the USA

[WetEV]

Have you forgotten that the M3 was to be the needed "turn-around" vehicle that would save Telsa from Chapter 7?

Amusing and backwards. Model S and X are profitable, and Tesla is betting the company on the Model 3 production ramp up.

So far, Tesla hasn't won or lost this bet. Not looking great, however.


[quote="lorenfb"]the MS & MX do not produce profits for Tesla.]/quote]

Really. Based on what? Cost of production higher than selling price? No. Then what? (2017)

Sales = $11.76B
Cost of goods sold = $9.51B

Tesla lost money because of:

SG&A Expense = $3.85B

At least twice what it would be without the Model 3 development. Tesla could have been profitable, without the Model 3 bet. And some of the cost of goods sold is likely from the Model 3.

Remember I'm not a Tesla stock fan, but for reasons that I think are supportable. Even if Tesla wins the Model 3 production ramp up bet, Tesla is still a tiny fish in a pond full of whales. I'm not going to short sell the stock, the market can be irrational longer than I can be solvent.

[lorenfb]

Tesla lost money because of:

SG&A Expense = $3.85B

At least twice what it would be without the Model 3 development. Tesla could have been profitable, without the Model 3 bet. And some of the cost of goods sold is likely from the Model 3.

Thanks for the added info to support what was posted, i.e. Tesla is presently unprofitable!
And yes, the M3 is a bet! By the way, SG&A doesn't pay for M3 development, R&D does, which is NOT part of a vehicle's gross profit.

[SageBrush]

Of course Tesla in unprofitable. Just look at what they have built in the last year or so:
A Gigafactory !!
A completely re-tooled car factory
A rapidly expanding SuperCharger network
R&D of an electric Semi and the Model Y

They are poring every penny of profit (and more) into growth.

Amazon has done the same, for years.

[EVDRIVER]

Of course Tesla in unprofitable. Just look at what they have built in the last year or so:
A Gigafactory !!
A completely re-tooled car factory
A rapidly expanding SuperCharger network
R&D of an electric Semi and the Model Y

They are poring every penny of profit (and more) into growth.

Amazon has done the same, for years.

Don't bother with Lorenfb , he is here only to troll Tesla and astroturf.

[SageBrush]

Don't bother with Lorenfb , he is here only to troll Tesla and astroturf.

For giggles, here is Amazon over the years.
Perhaps Lorenfb can head over there and troll

[lorenfb]

Of course Tesla in unprofitable.

So you agree too! Great, now more on MNL are starting to understand basic accounting and that huge continued losses, e.g. $20K per vehicle
at Tesla in 2017, have an end point called Chapter 7 of the Federal Bankruptcy Laws.

Again, we have the naive comparing Tesla to Amazon. Laughable!

[EVDRIVER]

We know your position now go peddle to your friends that care.

[WetEV]

At least twice what it would be without the Model 3 development. Tesla could have been profitable, without the Model 3 bet. And some of the cost of goods sold is likely from the Model 3.

Thanks for the added info to support what was posted, i.e. Tesla is presently unprofitable!
And yes, the M3 is a bet! By the way, SG&A doesn't pay for M3 development, R&D does, which is NOT part of a vehicle's gross profit.

Tesla is unprofitable because of investing in rapid growth. What pays for SuperCharger sites to support the Model 3 role out? SG&A

Tesla could be profitable, if Tesla was willing to "settle" for 20% or so growth per year. However, that wouldn't support the current valuation on the stock.

The problem is that there are probably more "bet the company" events in the future. For Tesla's stock valuation, Tesla has to win them all.

The Model S almost killed Tesla, before saving it.

The Model 3 may kill Tesla. Or save it again.

And so on.

If you want to be a Tesla bear, please get it correct. Don't annoy with false reasons to not buy and/or short Tesla stock. There are plenty of real reasons.

(Edit. I removed the spaces added to avoid annoying hyperlinks to improve readability. Then forgot to remove the note.)

[WetEV]

huge continued losses, e.g. $20K per vehicle

Dividing apples by oranges.

Tesla makes Model S cars at a profit. Model X as well.

Model 3? Ah, yes. Like every other car ever made in modern times, the first real production car probably lost a lot more than $20k each. And there will be some volume of Model 3 production that will have an average loss of $20k per car. And a larger volume where Tesla just breaks even. Beyond that, Tesla will be making money on Model 3s. Assume that Tesla lives long enough, of course.

Tesla is losing money because trying for explosive growth. Explosive growth can be wonderful, but explosions can also end up with a pile of rubble. (Sorry for the bad metaphor.) This is a high wire act with no net. (Ok, also a bad metaphor.) And the stock is priced like Tesla is going to succeed.

[lorenfb]

huge continued losses, e.g. $20K per vehicle

Dividing apples by oranges.

No! Please try to understand basic accounting and do simple math;

2017 GAAP loss - $2B (2 x 10^9)
2017 vehicles sold - 100K (10^5)
Loss per vehicle = $2 x 10^9 / 10^5 = $2 x 10^4 = $20,000/vehicle sold

Tesla makes Model S cars at a profit. Model X as well.

No again! Remember SG&A + R&D costs MUST be paid for, and each vehicle sold is "burdened" with those costs.

Model 3? Ah, yes. Like every other car ever made in modern times, the first real production car probably lost a lot more than $20k each. And there will be some volume of Model 3 production that will have an average loss of $20k per car. And a larger volume where Tesla just breaks even. Beyond that, Tesla will be making money on Model 3s. Assume that Tesla lives long enough, of course.

Your guess like many others!