00:00Ross, I mean, you take a look at the numbers. They look pretty good. And what's interesting, too, is that
00:04you look at some of the commentary in the press release, the company talking up demand that they're seeing for
00:10EVs when it comes to North America.
00:13We know that has been a sore spot for Tesla. I would love to hear your reaction.
00:18Well, there's nothing like soaring oil prices to get EV sales to go up and couldn't make me happier, to
00:24be honest, because that's why I love Tesla in the first place is we we sell great EVs.
00:30And they're great for the Earth. It's Earth Day. You know, like, I'm happy they're selling more EVs.
00:36The only reason, though, is because of oil prices. But, you know, I think if Elon actually tried to sell
00:42cars and, you know, moved away from his divisive comments on a day to day basis, Tesla could be a
00:47growing story again.
00:49So, you know, I'm glad we're talking about cars and not, you know, fantastical robots.
00:53Do you think, Ross, he still wants to sell cars? I feel like every time we hear from him, his
00:58attention seems to be elsewhere.
00:59And even with Tesla, it seems like he wants to make it, I don't know, maybe a robotics company or
01:03something else. What do you think?
01:05Yeah, I don't think he wants to sell cars. It's just a byproduct of the war.
01:08And the fact that Tesla still does make the best EVs and and consumers have got to be crazy not
01:14to be driving an EV.
01:15I mean, why would you want to pay ridiculous prices for gas when you have so many great alternatives, including
01:20Tesla?
01:21So so, you know, I think that's great. But, you know, this is not a business that he cares about.
01:26The future of Tesla is in robots, the robot car that will drive you around and this walking robot that
01:32will fold your clothes.
01:33You know, how close are we to that? I mean, I hate to fold clothes.
01:37I don't know. You know, I know the robots a long way off, so I don't know how long.
01:42But it's not something I'm worried about right now at all.
01:44I think robo taxi because they're they're sort of placing cars in different cities and like kind of testing sort
01:51of halfway.
01:52I think they're preparing for a day when full self-driving actually works.
01:55But that day still hasn't come. So, you know, the big moment is when will the software actually work?
02:01Right. Well, I also want to get your thoughts on, you know, if we were to see a lower priced
02:07EV from Tesla somewhere in the twenty five thousand dollar range,
02:10which has been reported that the company is reconsidering.
02:13I mean, what that would mean for the company?
02:16You talk about higher oil prices, higher gas prices.
02:19Maybe that's causing people to take a second look at EVs.
02:24But if you don't have that lower priced model, can you really compete for that type of customer?
02:29Right. You're 100 percent right, because in the emerging markets and many markets,
02:34you have BYD down there with a really low price, decent EV.
02:39So if you're really going to compete, you're going to have to have a lower priced vehicle.
02:43And since they're getting rid of their higher end vehicles and going sort of the Toyota style of business,
02:49you know, with really just mass market vehicles, they have an opportunity to release that that cyber cab as as
02:56as a low cost EV,
02:58which is what I think they should be doing anyways.
02:59I think the fact that we're talking about low cost EVs is only a byproduct of high oil prices and
03:04not the corporate strategy.
03:06I think they say the things they need to say at the times they need to say it.
03:10But we know they're not going to make this car because the future in Elon's mind is in robotics, which
03:16is the robo cab.
03:17I am curious as to whether you think that we could actually see a little bit more competition from some
03:21of the Chinese vehicles.
03:22I know there are obviously some big, you know, let's just say political issues with regards to them selling there.
03:28But every time I go to a foreign country and I look at the EVs that are on the road,
03:32it's BYD and a couple other names that I can't even pronounce on the road,
03:36outnumbering Teslas, at least anecdotally from what I can see by a mile.
03:40Oh, yeah, for a hundred reasons, too.
03:43Not only just cheaper prices, but lots of different options and features.
03:47But we have Chinese EVs in America, but they're called Volvos.
03:52And Volvo is a Chinese EV and they make a wonderful car and they compete very, very well.
03:59So, yeah, if they let all the other Chinese models in here, that would be really tough for Tesla.
04:04And they're not going to.
04:05So, you know, it's not really an issue for them in this market, but it's certainly an issue for them
04:11in every other market.
04:13And, you know, I think the Chinese are building great cars and they're going to continue to do that.
Comments