Elon Musk Thinks GM Isn't Making Enough All-Electric Chevrolet Bolts

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If we flip this around, has Mary Barra ever said that Tesla isn't making enough electric cars? That's what separates a narrow-minded CEO from one with vision looking towards the future. Elon Musk realizes that Tesla needs GM's and other automakers help reach economies of scale.

I usually follow your arguments even when I don't necessarily agree with them, but I don't follow where you are going with this one. Obviously GM doesn't rely on EV sales in the way Tesla does, so it makes perfect sense that they'd approach the market differently. It's fine for Musk to say that the other auto makers ought to be better serving his interests, but we all know it isn't going to happen that way. Even Elon Musk knows that, he's just doing his usual jawboning.

 

[oilerlord]

If we flip this around, has Mary Barra ever said that Tesla isn't making enough electric cars? That's what separates a narrow-minded CEO from one with vision looking towards the future. Elon Musk realizes that Tesla needs GM's and other automakers help reach economies of scale.

I usually follow your arguments even when I don't necessarily agree with them, but I don't follow where you are going with this one.

EV's aren't commonplace. They are expensive, boutique cars that buyers still know little about. Since Tesla only sells EV's, and is the recognized market leader, it serves Tesla to stoke the demand. The truth is that less than 1% of car buyers are buying EV's. Musk knows that if that demand grows to even a modest 5% - Tesla is uniquely positioned to take advantage of that growth. Musk also realizes that growth is the only thing that keeps Wall Street interested in TSLA, Growth is everything.

Also consider the investment in the future of EV's that Musk has put into the Gigafactory. He's leveraging the plant to corner the market on lithium ion cells. One possible future involves Musk (along with a consortium of automakers) sets an ISO standard for main traction batteries and DCFC onboard chargers that are only compatible with Tesla Supercharging stations. At that point, he's cornered the entire market for electric cars.

I'm not an Elon Musk disciple, but I understand his motivation.

 

[JupiterMoon]

If we flip this around, has Mary Barra ever said that Tesla isn't making enough electric cars? That's what separates a narrow-minded CEO from one with vision looking towards the future. Elon Musk realizes that Tesla needs GM's and other automakers help reach economies of scale.

I usually follow your arguments even when I don't necessarily agree with them, but I don't follow where you are going with this one.

EV's aren't commonplace. They are expensive, boutique cars that buyers still know little about. Since Tesla only sells EV's, and is the recognized market leader, it serves Tesla to stoke the demand. The truth is that less than 1% of car buyers are buying EV's. Musk knows that if that demand grows to even a modest 5% - Tesla is uniquely positioned to take advantage of that growth. Musk also realizes that growth is the only thing that keeps Wall Street interested in TSLA, Growth is everything.

Also consider the investment in the future of EV's that Musk has put into the Gigafactory. He's leveraging the plant to corner the market on lithium ion cells. One possible future involves Musk (along with a consortium of automakers) sets an ISO standard for main traction batteries and DCFC onboard chargers that are only compatible with Tesla Supercharging stations. At that point, he's cornered the entire market for electric cars.

I'm not an Elon Musk disciple, but I understand his motivation.

Whatever anyone thinks of Musk, one thing for sure is that he has genuine interest in making a change to alternative energy because he truly feels (I think at least) that this is the right thing to do. He may benefit from it but so will any other car manufacturer that is getting involved at this point. I can't say the for the intentions of the corporation such as GM, Ford, Audi, Benz, etc....I honestly don't think they give a rat's behind about making EVs mainstream and their only motivation at this point is to not fall behind the bandwagon. Case in point...does anyone honestly think the heads of VAG give a damn about the environment? I highly doubt it. They'd be pushing their dirty diesels and whatever else...knowingly...down everyone's throat. Same for GM, etc etc etc....

Growth only serves a good purpose if it's done right and is for a good cause. Otherwise, we may as well root for Shell/Chevron/ExxonMobil. etc. At this point, growth serves two purposes for Tesla...one for itself becoming ever more successful and two lighting a fire under the lazy and inept automakers who have chosen to sit idly by thinking they can still push ICE's forever.

 

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EV's aren't commonplace. They are expensive, boutique cars that buyers still know little about. Since Tesla only sells EV's, and is the recognized market leader, it serves Tesla to stoke the demand. The truth is that less than 1% of car buyers are buying EV's. Musk knows that if that demand grows to even a modest 5% - Tesla is uniquely positioned to take advantage of that growth. Musk also realizes that growth is the only thing that keeps Wall Street interested in TSLA, Growth is everything.

Also consider the investment in the future of EV's that Musk has put into the Gigafactory. He's leveraging the plant to corner the market on lithium ion cells. One possible future involves Musk (along with a consortium of automakers) sets an ISO standard for main traction batteries and DCFC onboard chargers that are only compatible with Tesla Supercharging stations. At that point, he's cornered the entire market for electric cars.

I'm not an Elon Musk disciple, but I understand his motivation.

Well, right. That's what I said, more or less. I don't know that Musk has a realistic opportunity to corner any markets, but he does gain by having everyone dance to his tune. Typically competitors aren't so cooperative.

 

[NeilBlanchard]

I too, think that GM is not building enough Bolt EV's. I hope they ramp up production as quickly as possible.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

I agree. And Tesla isn't making enough Model IIIs. I can't wait until I can drive them side-by-side. Despite what the Tesla Fanboys out there say, the Bolt has a lot going for it.

 

[SeanNelson]

I too, think that GM is not building enough Bolt EV's. I hope they ramp up production as quickly as possible.

Give them a bit of time. First, they need to make sure there are no kinks in the production process. Then they need to fill up the pipelines - first in the states that will have the largest demand and then in the other states. Once the pipeline to all the dealers are flowing, they'll be able to assess whether sales volumes warrant an increase in the rate of production.

GM won't build more just for the heck of it. They'll build more if people are buying them at faster rate then they're being produced. So it's ultimately up to the customers to determine how many Bolts will be built.