For Those Waiting for Non-FS Cybertrucks -- Here's the Flip Side to Consider

[HaulingAss]

Whether it is an EV or ICE, the incidence of ADM (Additional Dealer Markup) is currently low in today’s market. It is not only a soft EV market but a soft automotive market in general.

Here’s a relevant snippet from a car price trends article:

“The luxury vehicle segment has experienced notable price reductions, largely due to Tesla’s aggressive pricing strategies. Tesla is now a top-10 luxury brand in America, not just the leader of electric vehicle sales. As of the most recent data from March, luxury vehicle prices have dipped 7.4% year-over-year.

On the flip side, non-luxury vehicles have seen a price increase of less than 1% YoY. The average price for new non-luxury vehicles in March 2024 was $44,052.”

Source: https://caredge.com/guides/new-car-price-trends-in-2024

And this is exactly why all the Tesla hate is misguided. If people only understood how much value Tesla is adding to the new car market in America, motorists would be ecstatic. I mean, unless you are shareholder in GM Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, Exxon Mobile, a family auto dealership, etc. then you want consumers to get a better car for less money that doesn't need gasoline. Safer, more reliable, quicker and more responsive, more convenient, etc.

The best thing about capitalism is the way it encourages companies to bring the best value to consumers, in this case new auto buyers. Tesla does that (unless you have rather narrow needs, that are not easily solved by Tesla's somewhat limited model offerings and normal charging considerations).

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[Texarado]

Plus the $2500 power share equipment credit.

Has anyone received the $2500 voucher? I still have not received any voucher for my delivery back a couple months ago. I went to the Tesla store and they reached out to the Energy team, who said that nobody has received their vouchers yet.

 

[Speedr]

One must not understand Tesla's view of goodwill. Then burn through it everyday. Care very little about post sale customer.

Yet people keep buying. Looks like you are a newb to Tesla ownership. Keep waiting for your perfect moment.

Thus your risk statement kind of doesn't make sense. Tesla don't care brother.

I see your Google searching took you to car edge. Car edge is a concierge buying service for cars, not a journalistic institution of writing. Please dispense with the dribble and have a good evening.

Tesla is far from perfect when it comes to after sale care, but let's not forget the world we live in. Car dealerships are absolutely terrible! When you buy the car, it takes HOURS, even when numbers have already been agreed upon prior and you bring your own financing/cash, it STILL takes hours! Then, when you go to get service or get something fixed, when was the last time they didn't push some other service or cost "needed"?

In contrast, you can literally pick up your new Tesla in 5 minutes. And I've yet to have them ever suggest some other service or cost, let alone PUSH for one. Is Tesla perfect? No. Is it hard to get a hold of them sometimes, yes. Do they sometimes have longer lead times to get into service? Yes.

So I would say they are just different from other carmakers in after sale care. Some better, some worse.

 

[DMC-81]

And this is exactly why all the Tesla hate is misguided. If people only understood how much value Tesla is adding to the new car market in America, motorists would be ecstatic. I mean, unless you are shareholder in GM Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, Exxon Mobile, a family auto dealership, etc. then you want consumers to get a better car for less money that doesn't need gasoline. Safer, more reliable, quicker and more responsive, more convenient, etc.

The best thing about capitalism is the way it encourages companies to bring the best value to consumers, in this case new auto buyers. Tesla does that (unless you have rather narrow needs, that are not easily solved by Tesla's somewhat limited model offerings and normal charging considerations).

I totally agree. Tesla had the foresight and the fortitude to make a bold move by reducing the price of cars before others had at the end of the pandemic. I believe this was the time when Musk said that interest is not a problem for people to buy Tesla cars, affordability is.

I have a friend who bought a Model S plaid during the height of the price curve. He was pissed when the price came down from their pandemic high, but it was the right move for the business.

 

[txtravwill]

Has anyone received the $2500 voucher? I still have not received any voucher for my delivery back a couple months ago. I went to the Tesla store and they reached out to the Energy team, who said that nobody has received their vouchers yet.

Nah, but most of us all got the email about the $2500 early this week I think. Seems likely to come in the next couple weeks or month it seems now. Will be hard to use it all at once of course.

 

[Texarado]

Nah, but most of us all got the email about the $2500 early this week I think. Seems likely to come in the next couple weeks or month it seems now. Will be hard to use it all at once of course.

When did you take delivery?

 

[txtravwill]

When did you take delivery?

For me towards the end of May I think, around May 27th.

 

[Texarado]

For me towards the end of May I think, around May 27th.

Wondering how the earlier deliveries and discussions of $700 credit play into the revised $2500? Tesla has a habit of changing offers, etc. over time. This feels a little different this time, but that may be because I want it to.

 

[txtravwill]

Wondering how the earlier deliveries and discussions of $700 credit play into the revised $2500? Tesla has a habit of changing offers, etc. over time. This feels a little different this time, but that may be because I want it to.

Not sure. I tend to think that those that got an email of some type of PowerShare survey, stating if they didn't qualify, they get a smaller credit, supercharging, etc. that they will likely not get the $2500. But those of us that didn't get that likely will, as seems we didn't get any type of process performed to validate if we qualify for PowerShare via email... left up to us instead, with a flat $2500 to apply if we want, or spend on something else. Especially since now we see the $2500 PowerShare charging bundle in the shop.

 

[Outdoors]

Well, therein lies the problem. If Tesla is burning through goodwill and cares little about post sale customers like you mention, this will be a headwind for ramping up sales. Incremental sales requires attracting new customers to the brand and to EVs in general.

Selling cars to your ardent fans is easy for a manufacturer. Attracting new and or agnostic customers is harder. Tesla should care about both.

We will soon see how Q2 went. As an investor, I hope it will be great.

I totally agree. Tesla had the foresight and the fortitude to make a bold move by reducing the price of cars before others had at the end of the pandemic. I believe this was the time when Musk said that interest is not a problem for people to buy Tesla cars, affordability is.

I have a friend who bought a Model S plaid during the height of the price curve. He was pissed when the price came down from their pandemic high, but it was the right move for the business.

Sorry that customer has no goodwill left. Yet will likely buy another Tesla.

I see what you're doing there. My comments on post sale, Goodwill, customer service, etc are not because I really care. It's really showing that it's lackluster job doesn't translate to what most people think Tesla. Consumers buy another Tesla regardless of the Goodwill.

Tesla doesn't need fancy. They just need to sell the product that is in demand.

I can't even tell you how many times I've seen the headline another Tesla killer coming. It doesn't matter. Tesla keeps selling the product just the way the iPod and the iPhone kept selling.

If I remember you are waiting for Tesla to sell you the truck at the promised price. Really diminishing all your other points.

Show me the promised price.

 

[Kaz109]

As far as depression goes I think trim level will be affected more than FS. Just because of sheer numbers I feel the Beast will hold value since there is about a 10/1 ratio of beast compared to AWD.

ppl talk about how fast orders are being filled not taking Into account that 95% of the are AWD.

 

[roadrunner32]

Plus the $2500 power share equipment credit.

I’d also add the white interior AND trim lighting, which is likely worth at least $1k, which is one the best nuances to the FS.

End of the day it’s just an affordability factor. Buying a new car comes with the joy of it being new, but the cost high and fast depreciation on the used market. CT is a new beast but with the level of production promised I don’t see it bucking the trend of the quick value loss new to used cars typically realize. My 2016 model X was $120k out the door. Sold it in December for $34k… only went 210 miles and had 80k miles. The CT in 3 years will have better range and new bells and whistles, and ours will take a related value hit.

"BUT… the car is an incredible joy to drive" and if you can afford the extra cost now it’s as fun of a toy as I’ve ever purchased.

"BUT… the car is an incredible joy to drive". my model Y is still a joy to drive after nearly 3 years. I can hardly imagine it could be better.

 

[The Tumbler]

"BUT… the car is an incredible joy to drive". my model Y is still a joy to drive after nearly 3 years. I can hardly imagine it could be better.

I have a performance Y. It’s my wife’s daily now with the kids. She doesn’t drive much so I can take it whenever I need to. I haven’t driven is once since I took delivery of the CT in March...

I hope you get one soon so you can experience it!

 

[roadrunner32]

Most deposits were $100 for a $40,000, $50,000 or $70,000 truck during a time of lower interest rates. You have to know that even at those lower costs, there would be a lot of non-buyers. Times have changed! Those previous non-buyers have fallen to the wayside while higher prices have generated a new class of non-buyers. I myself have had second thoughts, but approaching 77 years old and having the cash, I decided screw it, go for it and chalk it up as another of many bad decisions if it goes south.

RonM, I am also 77 and I firmly agree with you, and you know, as we age we give up a lot of things we loved, windsurfing, Ice hockey etc.. the excitement of new cutting edge technology is one I don't have to give up. We just have to get through one more hurricane season before pulling the trigger. And hopefully all the bugs are worked out. Like I just heard there is a problem with the wiper motors.

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