Tesla, the leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, reported a significant drop in profits and revenue for the first quarter of 2024. The company's profit fell by 55%, reaching $1.13 billion, while revenue decreased by 9%, amounting to $21.3 billion. These results were influenced by Tesla's tepid car sales and price cuts aimed at boosting demand in a competitive EV market dealing with slowing sales.
The first-quarter earnings report fueled concerns among investors about Tesla's strategy, as competitors continue to gain ground in the electric vehicle sector. Despite these challenges, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, expressed optimism for the second quarter and announced plans to launch new affordable vehicle models in the second half of 2025.
Tesla faced numerous challenges during Q1 2024. The company grappled with a slumping EV market and increasing competition from other automakers prioritizing hybrids over EVs. Additionally, Tesla experienced operational issues, including the Red Sea conflict and an arson attack at its Gigafactory Berlin. Furthermore, Musk announced that more than 10% of Tesla's global workforce would be let go as part of a massive restructuring.
Despite these challenges, Tesla remains committed to developing self-driving cars and installing EV charging stations around the world. The company is also investing billions of dollars in supporting factories globally to expand its manufacturing capabilities and current vehicle lineup.
The global electric car market is expected to grow significantly this year, with an estimated 17 million EVs sold. However, Tesla's sales are projected to dip due to the competitive landscape and ongoing price cuts. The company's operating profit margin in Q1 2024 was only 5.5%, half as much as a year earlier.
Tesla is also in talks with one major automaker to license its driver assistance system, Full Self-Driving (FSD) option, which could potentially expand Tesla's reach and influence in the industry.