Tesla vehicle orders are soaring. This is why.
Tesla (TSLA 10.97%) ended 2022 with strong momentum, according to its fourth-quarter financial report. Revenue surged by 33%, and net income rose by 59% in the fourth quarter.
According to Tesla’s management, the quarter saw the company’s “highest-ever quarterly revenue, operating income and net profitability in our history.” The manufacturer stated that it anticipates further strong growth in 2023, with management projecting a 31% year-over-year increase in full-year vehicle production.
However, comments made on the call regarding the effect of recent price reductions on demand and the schedule for a new product launch were the two most significant takeaways. These two things serve as the electric vehicle (EV) industry’s two main catalysts.
Production of Cybertrucks ought to begin this year
In its earnings announcement on Wednesday, Tesla said it would soon release its long-awaited all-electric pickup truck. The business stated that “Cybertruck remains on pace to start production later this year at Gigafactory Texas.”
The effects of a product launch like this on Tesla’s business can hardly be overstated. Launches of new vehicles have always contributed significantly to the company’s sales growth. No doubt Cybertruck won’t be an exception.
This product introduction is special because it has the potential to significantly increase sales volume and raise the automaker’s average selling price. The Model 3 and Y, two of the most recent Tesla vehicle debuts, were significantly less expensive than their predecessors, the Model S and X, lowering the company’s average selling price. Similar to the Roadster, the Model S and X were significantly less expensive than the company’s first car.
Contrarily, the Cybertruck should support Tesla’s average selling price. The maker of EVs would probably profit from a similar trend, as pickup trucks are a significant profit center for competitors like Ford and General Motors due to high average selling prices.
But exactly how many trucks might Tesla make? Elon Musk, the CEO, had stated he anticipated producing between 250,000 and 300,000 Cybertrucks annually.
20 percent of the units the company produced in 2022 are represented by the middle of this range. Although actual output (once the vehicle’s manufacture ramps up over a few years) for the Cybertruck could be even greater considering Tesla’s increasing volumes since he made this comment.
However, the new truck could have an even bigger impact on revenue if it has a higher average selling price than the Model 3 and Y, which make up the majority of the company’s sales.
Price cuts are successful
However, the corporation might experience rapid growth in 2023 without the help of its future Cybertruck. Tesla said that recent sharp price reductions for its automobiles sparked an increase in demand during its results call on Wednesday.
Tesla specifically mentioned that the rate at which orders were arriving in January was nearly twice that of manufacturing. During the earnings call, Musk stated that the firm is (at least internally) aiming for manufacturing to reach as high as 2 million units in the best-case scenario because of the strong demand.
To be honest, the CEO probably anticipates that some of these units will be accounted for by the Cybertruck. However, Tesla did mention in the results call that high-volume production of the new truck wouldn’t start until 2024, so it is likely that the proportion of Cybertruck deliveries to overall sales this year will be quite small. But in the long run, it’s likely to account for a sizable amount of revenue. Therefore, it is reasonable to anticipate more substantial growth from Tesla in 2023, 2024, and beyond in light of price reductions and the impending launch of the Cybertruck.
