5 ms·

Elon Musk is throwing his weight around Tesla, comes in like a wrecking ball

44 points by ZuckMusk 2y ago

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
ssopn24 2y ago
I'd read somewhere that the buy-in from other automakers to be compatible with the Tesla charging network might be exactly the reason why Tesla cut the supercharging team -- to get the other automakers to foot the bill as well.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
- nothercastle 2y ago
  What bill though? The Tesla charging system is a profit center… ok cool must kill the #1 feature of your brand. See what happens
  - taylodl 2y ago
    Right? The people that have been justifying Tesla's stratospheric (read: way overpriced) market capitalization was that Tesla was going to be the next Exxon-Mobile with regards to providing "fuel" to EVs. Well, that ship has been sunk. As you say, that was the #1 feature of their brand. Oh well, they're providing plenty of opportunity for their competitors to swoop in and eat their lunch.
- CodeWriter23 2y ago
  Musk’s tweet re supercharger in the article said it all, too much focus on expansion and not enough focus on increasing availability and reliability of the existing infra.
  - NewJazz 2y ago
    That is utter BS, though. The supercharger network has been complimented as the most reliable charging network in north american for years now. How are you going to maintain the network after firing all the talent? Why do expansion and maintenance have to be at odds?
    - CodeWriter23 2y ago
      National and Regional service companies that will inventory spares nearby and have available professionals to replace faulty units do exist. How much talent does making some phone calls and signing a contract require?
      - NewJazz 2y ago
        Clearly a lot considering the general state of the chargepoint, evgo, and ea networks. Also consider that Tesla's chargers have thus far failed to achieve 800V charging, which is a death knell for any future facing network.
        CodeWriter23 2y ago
        > Also consider that Tesla's chargers have thus far failed to achieve 800V charging, which is a death knell for any future facing network. You're conflating ops with engineering issues.
        NewJazz 2y ago
        I'm not. I'm merely adding evidence that maintenance-only is not a coherent business decision for the supercharger network.
        CodeWriter23 2y ago
        If the Electrical Engineers were included in this layoff I would be surprised. But as you say, they failed to meet the 800v goal, so they probably deserve it too.
- energybored11 2y ago
  It is pretty clear that Musk fired entire org because the chief of the unit was not agreeing to layoffs. It is a move to send a signal. Very likely Musk will rehire many fired.
  - NewJazz 2y ago
    If he can... These people are likely in high demand. Wouldn't be surprised if EA or the joint venture by several legacy automakers scoops them up. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44649909/automakers-ev-charging-network-joint-venture/ https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44649909/automakers-ev-ch...
infotainment 2y ago
Really hoping the board ousts him; he's more of a liability than an asset at this point, what with his strange probably-drug-fueled descent into madness. Sadly, it's not likely to happen.
- lupire 2y ago
  Such a throwback to see a company where the CEO or cabal doesn't have majority voting power.
- zahma 2y ago
  He might get a slap on the wrist when his comp package gets voted on by shareholders this June. Is there any reason to give a darn about what happens internally except for people’s outsized fascination with Musk’s personality? People love him or hate him for Tesla and Twitter, but in the end does it really have an impact on a macroeconomic level? I’m of course sympathetic to the thousands losing their jobs because of his decisions, and that’s assuming another CEO wouldn’t make similar cuts.
  - jncfhnb 2y ago
    Well public perception of tesla has plummeted. Among democrats, who are probably the larger target market for EV’s, it’s dropped 90% from 30% favorable to 3% favorable over a few years: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2023/01/12/teslas-brand-is-tanking-survey-finds/?sh=3deab4672b78 https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2023/01/12/teslas-b... As someone who is not very interested in cars, Musk, or anything California; there was a time where a Tesla seemed like a really cool choice. Now it seems like an embarrassing choice. The brand harm is very, very real.
    - decremental 2y ago
      [dead]
- azemetre 2y ago
  Why would the board get rid of him? From their side he increased their investments nearly 10,000% Elon is going to have to do worst things to get ousted than poor ramblings and failed vanity projects. This whole ordeal shows why workers should have some portion of board seats themselves.
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
vouaobrasil 2y ago
I would certainly hate to work at Tesla with Elon Musk at the helm. With the anti-WFH policy and now this, it sounds stressful. I'm glad I retired last year from the tech sector! (For more reasons that one...)
- anonymoose33282 2y ago
  Very glad that I don't work somewhere with an immature "thought leader" at the helm. Imagine having your entire department cut as the result of a Twitter Poll because your CEO was bored one night on the toilet.
hrusjsbr 2y ago
[flagged]
- Malidir 2y ago
  no need for that tone young man (woman/other).
mrbluecoat 2y ago
+1 for the article hero image - perfectly captures the spirit of Musk
vlucas 2y ago
CEO makes CEO-type sweeping executive decisions. More breaking news at 9.
foxyv 2y ago
I kind of wonder if high interest rates are starting to cut into Tesla investment. They have only been profitable since 2019 and peaked in late 2022. At $17 billion and a market cap of half a trillion, that's only a 3% profit over investment. When you can make 7% on a savings account that doesn't seem sustainable. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TSLA/tesla/gross-profit https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TSLA/tesla/gross-p... So the only reason to invest in Tesla now is possible future growth, however the outlook for growth at Tesla is looking grim now that their revenue is flattening and they have excess inventory. In addition, the entry into the market by major competitors like Toyota, GM, Ford, and Hyundai makes this outlook even more bleak. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TSLA/tesla/revenue https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TSLA/tesla/revenue Tesla is going to need to pull a rabbit out of their hat. That could have been a network of Tesla charging stations. Maybe that's why they laid off their supercharging team? To make room for something a bit more ambitious? Musk is definitely going to have to do SOMETHING soon.
junto 2y ago
I’ve been looking at buying a new car recently and although I don’t have an appropriate setup at home where I could install a charging point, I’ve wondered around a lot of showrooms and seen quite few EV’s in the process. I’m seeing EV’s that style-wise just blow the Tesla out of the water, and these are from manufacturers like Kia and Skoda. Meanwhile Tesla produce the cybertruck as their latest offering. On top of that I personally highly dislike Musk’s politics and his increasing support for why I see as right wing and dangerous politicians (from my perspective as an intersectional minority), so I would also avoid giving him any of my hard earned cash. A couple of years ago I would have jumped at a Tesla. Now I wouldn’t piss on one of it was on fire.
renegade-otter 2y ago
When Elon Musk takes "active interest" in one of his companies - start writing the obituary. His only purpose in this system is "eccentric vision", investment money, and narcissism. If you let him near the dials - it's over.

44 points by ZuckMusk 2y ago

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

I'd read somewhere that the buy-in from other automakers to be compatible with the Tesla charging network might be exactly the reason why Tesla cut the supercharging team -- to get the other automakers to foot the bill as well.

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
nothercastle 2y ago
What bill though? The Tesla charging system is a profit center… ok cool must kill the #1 feature of your brand. See what happens
- taylodl 2y ago
  Right? The people that have been justifying Tesla's stratospheric (read: way overpriced) market capitalization was that Tesla was going to be the next Exxon-Mobile with regards to providing "fuel" to EVs. Well, that ship has been sunk. As you say, that was the #1 feature of their brand. Oh well, they're providing plenty of opportunity for their competitors to swoop in and eat their lunch.
CodeWriter23 2y ago
Musk’s tweet re supercharger in the article said it all, too much focus on expansion and not enough focus on increasing availability and reliability of the existing infra.
- NewJazz 2y ago
  That is utter BS, though. The supercharger network has been complimented as the most reliable charging network in north american for years now. How are you going to maintain the network after firing all the talent? Why do expansion and maintenance have to be at odds?
  - CodeWriter23 2y ago
    National and Regional service companies that will inventory spares nearby and have available professionals to replace faulty units do exist. How much talent does making some phone calls and signing a contract require?
    - NewJazz 2y ago
      Clearly a lot considering the general state of the chargepoint, evgo, and ea networks. Also consider that Tesla's chargers have thus far failed to achieve 800V charging, which is a death knell for any future facing network.
      - CodeWriter23 2y ago
        > Also consider that Tesla's chargers have thus far failed to achieve 800V charging, which is a death knell for any future facing network. You're conflating ops with engineering issues.
        NewJazz 2y ago
        I'm not. I'm merely adding evidence that maintenance-only is not a coherent business decision for the supercharger network.
        CodeWriter23 2y ago
        If the Electrical Engineers were included in this layoff I would be surprised. But as you say, they failed to meet the 800v goal, so they probably deserve it too.
energybored11 2y ago
It is pretty clear that Musk fired entire org because the chief of the unit was not agreeing to layoffs. It is a move to send a signal. Very likely Musk will rehire many fired.
- NewJazz 2y ago
  If he can... These people are likely in high demand. Wouldn't be surprised if EA or the joint venture by several legacy automakers scoops them up. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44649909/automakers-ev-charging-network-joint-venture/ https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44649909/automakers-ev-ch...

infotainment 2y ago

Really hoping the board ousts him; he's more of a liability than an asset at this point, what with his strange probably-drug-fueled descent into madness. Sadly, it's not likely to happen.

lupire 2y ago
Such a throwback to see a company where the CEO or cabal doesn't have majority voting power.
zahma 2y ago
He might get a slap on the wrist when his comp package gets voted on by shareholders this June. Is there any reason to give a darn about what happens internally except for people’s outsized fascination with Musk’s personality? People love him or hate him for Tesla and Twitter, but in the end does it really have an impact on a macroeconomic level? I’m of course sympathetic to the thousands losing their jobs because of his decisions, and that’s assuming another CEO wouldn’t make similar cuts.
- jncfhnb 2y ago
  Well public perception of tesla has plummeted. Among democrats, who are probably the larger target market for EV’s, it’s dropped 90% from 30% favorable to 3% favorable over a few years: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2023/01/12/teslas-brand-is-tanking-survey-finds/?sh=3deab4672b78 https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2023/01/12/teslas-b... As someone who is not very interested in cars, Musk, or anything California; there was a time where a Tesla seemed like a really cool choice. Now it seems like an embarrassing choice. The brand harm is very, very real.
  - decremental 2y ago
    [dead]
azemetre 2y ago
Why would the board get rid of him? From their side he increased their investments nearly 10,000% Elon is going to have to do worst things to get ousted than poor ramblings and failed vanity projects. This whole ordeal shows why workers should have some portion of board seats themselves.

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

vouaobrasil 2y ago

I would certainly hate to work at Tesla with Elon Musk at the helm. With the anti-WFH policy and now this, it sounds stressful. I'm glad I retired last year from the tech sector! (For more reasons that one...)

anonymoose33282 2y ago
Very glad that I don't work somewhere with an immature "thought leader" at the helm. Imagine having your entire department cut as the result of a Twitter Poll because your CEO was bored one night on the toilet.

hrusjsbr 2y ago

[flagged]

Malidir 2y ago
no need for that tone young man (woman/other).

mrbluecoat 2y ago

+1 for the article hero image - perfectly captures the spirit of Musk

vlucas 2y ago

CEO makes CEO-type sweeping executive decisions. More breaking news at 9.

foxyv 2y ago

I kind of wonder if high interest rates are starting to cut into Tesla investment. They have only been profitable since 2019 and peaked in late 2022. At $17 billion and a market cap of half a trillion, that's only a 3% profit over investment. When you can make 7% on a savings account that doesn't seem sustainable. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TSLA/tesla/gross-profit https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TSLA/tesla/gross-p... So the only reason to invest in Tesla now is possible future growth, however the outlook for growth at Tesla is looking grim now that their revenue is flattening and they have excess inventory. In addition, the entry into the market by major competitors like Toyota, GM, Ford, and Hyundai makes this outlook even more bleak. https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TSLA/tesla/revenue https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/TSLA/tesla/revenue Tesla is going to need to pull a rabbit out of their hat. That could have been a network of Tesla charging stations. Maybe that's why they laid off their supercharging team? To make room for something a bit more ambitious? Musk is definitely going to have to do SOMETHING soon.

junto 2y ago

I’ve been looking at buying a new car recently and although I don’t have an appropriate setup at home where I could install a charging point, I’ve wondered around a lot of showrooms and seen quite few EV’s in the process. I’m seeing EV’s that style-wise just blow the Tesla out of the water, and these are from manufacturers like Kia and Skoda. Meanwhile Tesla produce the cybertruck as their latest offering. On top of that I personally highly dislike Musk’s politics and his increasing support for why I see as right wing and dangerous politicians (from my perspective as an intersectional minority), so I would also avoid giving him any of my hard earned cash. A couple of years ago I would have jumped at a Tesla. Now I wouldn’t piss on one of it was on fire.

renegade-otter 2y ago

When Elon Musk takes "active interest" in one of his companies - start writing the obituary. His only purpose in this system is "eccentric vision", investment money, and narcissism. If you let him near the dials - it's over.