Tesla's Autopilot Is Mostly Hype
The automotive sector is experiencing significant innovation, led by Tesla (TSLA). The need for better technology here is obvious. Even Apple (AAPL) is reportedly interested in making an “Apple Car.” Apple’s Tim Cook refused to talk about it. This means Tesla gets all the attention.
Tesla unveiled the autopilot system on October 14. The software update is available to cars made after September 2014. Model X will also have this update option. The autopilot works through “a forward radar, a forward-looking camera, twelve long-range ultrasonic sensors positioned to sense sixteen feet around the car in every direction at all speeds, and a high-precision digitally-controlled electric assist braking system.”
Despite Tesla’s share price falling steadily in recent weeks, interest for “Tesla” and “autopilot” surged after the company announced autopilot:
Source: Tickertags
Existing Tesla customers get the full update only if they paid the $2,500. Those who did not get only the feature of a side-impact warning. Auto steering is not a value-added feature for automobiles. The function is also limited in when it is available. Heavy rain or snow and poor lane markings will render it unavailable. The driver is still liable if an accident occurs as a result of its use.
Valuation still high
Tesla’s forward P/E is close to 100 times and 40 times book. Its debt to equity is 3.75 times.
Tesla is not the only supplier for self-driving cars. Mercedes is testing this on trucks, and American car companies already offer automated parallel parking.
Investors looking for a cheaper way to invest in green cars should consider Toyota Motors (TM). Its Prius Hybrid is around $35,000. GM’s (GM) Bolt Hybrid will cost the same, too. Ultimately, the winner in the green driving race will be the companies who target the mass market.
Disclosure: None
The comment was deleted!
There are a really good number of users on TalkMarkets
Tesla is dropping far more now that Consumer Reports releases their report and is no longer recommending their car.
I read about that. Who would have thought that their new cars could have so many little bugs? Though I suppose the more bells and whistles, the more there is to go wrong. Supposedly Tesla can do firmware software updates to fix all that, without people even needing to bring in their cars to service stations. So the Consumer Report's attitude towards Tesla may change, and with it, the $TSLA stock price.
Now that this is news, Tesla'll likely make it a priority to get these problems fixed..
True, Susan, but if they have such poor quality on an expensive car, then how will the cheaper model fare?
While you are of course right, when it comes to tech companies, they always push products out to market before it's ready and just figure they'll fix all the bugs later. And they get away with this too - users and early adopters have come to expect this. I'd say that Tesla $TSLA is becoming a tech company and is behaving in the same way.
What's the cost and complexity of the bugs? If they are fixable it bodes well for low-cost TSLA Model 3. If expensive, then a low cost 35k EV car is out of the question.
Chris, it was my understanding that Tesla's response to the Consumer Report story was that they acknowledged that there were bugs and that they will be fixing them for free through built-in firmware updates (just like you'd get a free Windows update bug fix on your computer). So there would be no cost at all to consumers.
I don't recall the exact source but it was in a Huffington Post article that was listed in the "Around The Web" sidebar right here on TalkMarkets.
Thanks Harry. Good to know.
True, but Gary made a crucial point that you are downplaying - the price point. Users may tolerate it when they are shelling out a few hundred, or even a few thousand dollars for a cool new gadget. A Tesla car costs far more than that - so much more that customers won't be so patient. And the negative reviews from actual consumers (the ones replying to the Consumer Reports report) are proof.
I'd agree with both @[Alexis Renault](user:7620) and @[Gary Anderson](user:4798). But I'll throw in another point. I believe bugs are mostly expected and accepted in tech due to there being no other options. All the manufacturer's launch products before all the kinks are worked out.
But with a car, there are plenty of other options that aren't plagued with this issues. That combined with @[Chris Lau](user:15438)'s article, indicates that Tesla is going down.
How were you able to hyperlink my name and trigger a notification that you mentioned me?
I tagged you by typing your name after using the @ symbol. Just like on Facebook.
Thanks, @[Dick Kaplan](user:7622)
That symbol being @[Alexis Renault](user:7620) --the 'at' @ sign.
I learnt something new!
Me too!
Lucky for this article's bear call from Consumer reports' negative about-face. Have been really lucky with the timing on others too.
VRX - sell
IBM - sell
MU - Reduce
There's still lots to go for TSLA's drop. Lots of put options available:
$$$: http://bit.ly/1P2c2SS
Lucky indeed. Though I had generally liked Tesla, I had taken action after reading your article when it first appeared. Consumer Report's reaction was fortuitous indeed! Thanks @[Chris Lau](user:15438)!
Great article, but I hope no electric car becomes desired by the masses. Green is one thing, but self driving control of the populace holds a much greater danger to the world than oil. And Nevada where I live has poor lane markings continually. Self driving won't even work here and on snow it would be a real joke. This may be the biggest con ever promoted by the financial community since the housing bubble.
Big problem for Tesla if the competitors bring mass market EVs at 35K ahead of Tesla's "few but expensive -> many but cheap" model.