Tesla Still Losing Money, But Selling More Cars

Feb 16, 2016

Tesla lost more than $300 million on fourth-quarter revenue of $1.2 billion, but hopes remain high as the company announces a 51% in annual sales and a release date for the anticipated Model 3.

Tesla declared Wednesday that its 2015 sales were up 51% and reaffirmed plans for its new model that aims at a wider market. Annual sales totaled 25,202 Model S vehicles, up from 16,689 in 2014.

Tesla, which is investing heavily in new vehicles and battery technology to drive the market for electric cars, reported a fourth-quarter loss of $320 million on revenue of $1.2 billion.

The company said its Model 3 — with an estimated price of $35,000, or around half that of its best-selling car — would be unveiled on March 31, with production and deliveries to start in late 2017.

A shareholder letter from Musk and CFO Jason Wheeler said the company is seeing “growing worldwide demand for Tesla vehicles, supported by record production,” and that deliveries rose by more than 50% in the fourth quarter from the prior three-month period. “For 2016, we are planning for even faster delivery growth than last year.”

While Tesla has only a small slice of the luxury car market, it has a loyal user base and strong demand that is impacting the industry. As other carmakers rush to put electric vehicles into production, Tesla is growing its share at the high end of the market while preparing for a more affordable Model 3.

In the fourth quarter, “we increased global deliveries over 76% year-on-year as Model S market share gains continued in every geographic region,” the letter said. “In the U.S., just over three years after entering the market, Model S took share from all incumbent manufacturers to become the No. 1 selling comparably priced four-door sedan. In fact, Model S was the only vehicle in its class with growing sales last year.”

Tesla in the past quarter sold just 206 of its newest vehicle, the Model X, which includes “falcon wing doors” and a panoramic windshield, with a price starting at $130,000. But it anticipates a Model X production rate of 1,000 vehicles a week in the second quarter of the year.

Tesla said it expects to deliver 80,000 to 90,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in 2016, with the more expensive version getting a bigger share as the year goes on.

“Achieving these results in 2016 should leave us well positioned for 2017, when we plan to launch Model 3 and take another significant step towards our mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable transportation,” the letter said.

Source: IndustryWeek.com