Tesla Posts $30.5M Net Loss in Q2 But Beats Expectations, CEO Talks New Models.

Published on August 8, 2013 in News by Danny Geraghty
Tesla Model X SUV

Electric carmaker Tesla surprised investors by posting better than expected financials Wednesday.

The real numbers (using GAAP or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) were a net loss of 30.M for the second quarter. If the company doesn’t use the GAAP that defers some revenue from vehicles financed through the company and its partners, it actually posts a profit of $26 million, or 20 cents a share, beating an expected non-GAAP loss of 17 cents. Revenues were $405 million, beating the expected $383 million projection.

The company’s stock price rose to $153 a share in afterhours trading, up from Wednesday's $134 closing price.

Afterwards, the company’s CEO Elon Musk talked briefly about the future of some new models & markets for the company.

"We are hard at work on the Model X (SUV) refining the design. We expect to be in limited [volume] to deliver a small number of units at the end of next year and then volume production would recur in 2015,” Musk said.

"We have got right hand drive that's coming out in the spring. Then there is the China version and actually there's the European version...There is the Japan right hand drive versions. Also, in Europe, we are actually not trying to push sales very hard because if you order a car in Europe you are going to get it get it in, like maybe, November. So we really again need to improve our production. We need to make sure that the entry of the car into Europe is smooth, that people have a good experience with the car, that all the service centers are there, that the people are well trained."

"I see a fairly clear path to [a Gen 3 lower-priced] vehicle. I have high confidence that we can create a compelling [car] for around $35,000, compelling meaning a 200 mile range."

Musk also likes the idea of more manufacturers making cars like BMW’s i3, saying:

"Well, I am glad to see that BMW is bringing electric car to market. That's cool. I think there is room to improve on the i3 and I hope that they do...I really do encourage other manufacturers bringing electric cars in the market because this is a good thing...that's what's going to result in humanity achieving a sustainable transport future. I wish it was going faster than it is.”