Contrary to great anticipation that Elon Musk would clarify plans for an affordable Tesla at the company’s investor day on 1 March, the eccentric billionaire skirted the issue.
According to news agency Reuters, Tesla engineers told investors that the company would cut assembly costs by half in future generations of cars, but Chief Executive Musk did not unveil when it would debut a much-awaited affordable electric vehicle (EV).
Shares fell more than 5% in after-hours trade following the company's investor day at its Texas headquarters.
More than a dozen Tesla executives led by Musk discussed everything from a white-paper plan for the globe to embrace sustainable energy to the company's innovation in managing its operations from manufacturing to service.
The presentation featured an array of senior engineers, including the new global production chief, Tom Zhu, a nod to Tesla's attempt to show the depth of its executive bench beyond Musk, the face of the company.
Tesla's chief financial officer, Zach Kirkhorn, and others underscored their dedication to cutting production costs.
Kirkhorn estimated that Tesla should invest six times more than it has to date to hit its long-term target of increasing output to 20 million vehicles annually by 2030, a tenfold increase from current capacity. The bill could be $175 billion (R3 208 400 00), he reckoned.
The next investment step for the EV innovator will be a new Tesla factory in Northern Mexico, Musk said, announcing the first plant outside of the United States, Germany and China.
DFSK South Africa announced the opening of two new dealerships, DFSK Vaal, operated by Top Speed Motors, and DFSK Welkom, managed by the team behind BMW Welkom and Park Motors.
To mark World EV Day, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has launched the N3 EV Real-World Test. The initiative will turn everyday electric vehicle journeys between Johannesburg and Durban into a growing source of real-world data for South African motorists and fleet operators considering the switch to electric.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are changing more than what South Africans drive. They are changing what happens behind the workshop doors, too.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
To mark World EV Day, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has launched the N3 EV Real-World Test. The initiative will turn everyday electric vehicle journeys between Johannesburg and Durban into a growing source of real-world data for South African motorists and fleet operators considering the switch to electric.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are changing more than what South Africans drive. They are changing what happens behind the workshop doors, too.
Range Rover, long regarded as the original luxury SUV, has introduced its first electric model. The vehicle is built at the Solihull plant in the UK, where Range Rover production has taken place since 1970.
