Used Car Prices Are High Again: Now Might Be the Right Time to Look at a Used Tesla.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
0mins
Should l Buy TSLA?
Source: Barron's
Rising Gas Prices: Gas prices have reached four dollars, impacting consumers and the economy.
Used Car Market: The prices of used cars are also on the rise, adding to financial pressures for buyers.
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Analyst Views on TSLA
Wall Street analysts forecast TSLA stock price to rise
30 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
11 Hold
7 Sell
Hold
Current: 346.650
Low
25.28
Averages
401.93
High
600.00
Current: 346.650
Low
25.28
Averages
401.93
High
600.00
About TSLA
Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, sells and leases high-performance fully electric vehicles and energy generation and storage systems, and offers services related to its products. Its segments include automotive, and energy generation and storage. The automotive segment includes the design, development, manufacturing, sales and leasing of high-performance fully electric vehicles, and sales of automotive regulatory credits. It also includes sales of used vehicles, non-warranty maintenance services and collisions, part sales, paid supercharging, insurance services revenue and retail merchandise sales. The energy generation and storage segment include the design, manufacture, installation, sales and leasing of solar energy generation and energy storage products and related services and sales of solar energy systems incentives. Its consumer vehicles include the Model 3, Y, S, X and Cybertruck. Its lithium-ion battery energy storage products include Powerwall and Megapack.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Tesla's Q1 Deliveries Fall Short of Expectations
- Delivery and Production Gap: Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles in Q1, missing the analyst expectation of 370,000 units and marking a 14.4% drop from 418,227 units in the previous quarter, indicating weak demand in the EV market that could hinder future sales growth.
- Inventory Build-Up Issue: The company produced over 408,000 vehicles in Q1, exceeding deliveries by about 50,000 units, which raises concerns about liquidity and may impact Tesla's ability to invest in capital-intensive projects.
- Decline in Energy Storage Business: Energy storage deployments plummeted 38% to 8.8 GWh in Q1, down from 14.2 GWh in the prior quarter, weakening a critical pillar of support for the company's overall growth narrative and potentially affecting investor confidence.
- Capital Expenditure Pressure: Tesla forecasts capital expenditures to exceed $20 billion this year; while the company is making significant investments in AI and robotics, the weak demand in its core automotive business could lead to insufficient future cash flow, increasing financial risk.
See More
ARK Invest Increases Tesla Holdings Amid Stock Pullback
- Increased Tesla Holdings: ARK Invest purchased 79,845 shares of Tesla this week for approximately $27.8 million, demonstrating confidence during the stock's pullback, even as Tesla's shares hit a seven-month low, negatively impacting ARKK's overall performance.
- Production Plan Shift: CEO Elon Musk announced that only a few hundred Model S and Model X vehicles remain in inventory, with plans to cease production of these models next quarter and repurpose the Fremont factory for the Optimus humanoid robot, marking a significant strategic shift for the company.
- Delivery Data Insights: Tesla delivered about 16,130 vehicles in the “other models” category in Q1, while Model 3 and Model Y deliveries totaled 341,893, indicating strong performance in high-demand models, yet the overall delivery figures could not offset the stock price decline.
- Market Sentiment and Risks: While ARK continues to accumulate shares, JPMorgan reiterated its 'Underweight' rating, warning of a potential 60% downside for the stock and lowering its 2026 EPS forecast to $1.8, reflecting uncertainties around demand and inventory levels.
See More
Tesla Developing New Compact SUV at Lower Price Point
- New Model Development: Tesla is reportedly developing a new compact SUV that is expected to be priced significantly lower than the Model 3, which could attract more budget-conscious consumers and expand its market share.
- Supplier Engagement: According to a Reuters report, Tesla has reached out to suppliers in recent weeks to discuss the manufacturing process and specifications for the compact SUV, indicating the company's commitment and preparation for the new model.
- Market Reaction: While Tesla shares edged up 0.1% in Thursday's pre-market trading, retail sentiment on Stocktwits trended bearish, reflecting a cautious market outlook regarding the new vehicle.
- Industry Implications: Tesla's compact SUV initiative could impact the entire electric vehicle market, particularly among price-sensitive consumer segments, intensifying competition and driving innovation within the industry.
See More
Tesla Developing Lower-Cost Compact Electric SUV
- New Model Development: Tesla is developing a smaller, lower-cost electric SUV, and while the project is still in its early stages, the company has begun discussions with suppliers regarding manufacturing processes and component specifications, indicating its intent to explore new market segments.
- Market Positioning: The SUV is expected to be shorter than the Model Y and priced significantly lower than the Model 3, which starts at $34,000 in China, aiming to attract a broader consumer base, with initial production likely in China before expanding to the U.S. and Europe.
- Strategic Shift: This move follows CEO Elon Musk's decision to scrap plans for a low-cost EV in 2024 and pivot towards robotaxis and humanoid robots, showcasing the company's adaptability in the electric vehicle market.
- Future Outlook: While it remains unclear if this SUV signifies a return to mass-market vehicles, sources suggest the new model could cater to both human-driven and autonomous driving functionalities, reflecting Tesla's long-term vision for autonomous technology.
See More
ARK Invest Buys Tesla Shares Amid Decline
- Significant Purchases: ARK Invest acquired nearly 81,000 shares of Tesla over three days during the stock's decline, investing over $28 million, demonstrating ongoing confidence in the electric vehicle market despite volatility.
- Holding Proportion: As of Wednesday, Tesla constituted 8.49% of ARKK ETF's portfolio, remaining its largest holding, even as the stock has fallen 13.9% this month and approximately 24% year-to-date.
- Divergent Analyst Opinions: Despite mixed market sentiment and a cautious Underweight rating from JPMorgan, which flagged rising inventory risks, ARK continues to emphasize autonomous driving as a key component of its long-term investment thesis.
- Weak Market Sentiment: Tesla's stock hit a 2026 low on Tuesday, reflecting ongoing weakness in sentiment towards electric vehicles, battery storage, and AI stocks, as investors remain cautious ahead of the upcoming Q1 earnings report.
See More
Rivian's Market Prospects in the EV Sector
- Improving Financials: Rivian's revenue increased by 8% year-over-year to $5.4 billion last year, demonstrating resilience and potential growth despite challenges from the expiration of U.S. EV government tax incentives, indicating a positive trend in its financial performance.
- New Model Launch: The company plans to start deliveries of its R2 model in the second quarter, with expectations to deliver between 62,000 and 67,000 units by 2026, representing a nearly 53% increase compared to the previous fiscal year, directly competing with Tesla's popular Model Y and enhancing market share.
- Strategic Partnerships: Rivian's agreement with Uber involves the purchase of 10,000 fully autonomous R2 models, with an option for 40,000 more by 2030, providing up to $1.25 billion in investment, although achieving full autonomy remains a significant technological hurdle that requires further R&D.
- Competitive Pressures: While Rivian is seeing growth in service revenue, it faces intense competition from Tesla's established models, and the company does not expect to achieve adjusted EBITDA profitability until 2027, increasing uncertainty and risk for investors.
See More
Tesla's Q1 Deliveries Fall Short of Expectations
- Delivery and Production Gap: Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles in Q1, missing the analyst expectation of 370,000 units and marking a 14.4% drop from 418,227 units in the previous quarter, indicating weak demand in the EV market that could hinder future sales growth.
- Inventory Build-Up Issue: The company produced over 408,000 vehicles in Q1, exceeding deliveries by about 50,000 units, which raises concerns about liquidity and may impact Tesla's ability to invest in capital-intensive projects.
- Decline in Energy Storage Business: Energy storage deployments plummeted 38% to 8.8 GWh in Q1, down from 14.2 GWh in the prior quarter, weakening a critical pillar of support for the company's overall growth narrative and potentially affecting investor confidence.
- Capital Expenditure Pressure: Tesla forecasts capital expenditures to exceed $20 billion this year; while the company is making significant investments in AI and robotics, the weak demand in its core automotive business could lead to insufficient future cash flow, increasing financial risk.
See More
ARK Invest Increases Tesla Holdings Amid Stock Pullback
- Increased Tesla Holdings: ARK Invest purchased 79,845 shares of Tesla this week for approximately $27.8 million, demonstrating confidence during the stock's pullback, even as Tesla's shares hit a seven-month low, negatively impacting ARKK's overall performance.
- Production Plan Shift: CEO Elon Musk announced that only a few hundred Model S and Model X vehicles remain in inventory, with plans to cease production of these models next quarter and repurpose the Fremont factory for the Optimus humanoid robot, marking a significant strategic shift for the company.
- Delivery Data Insights: Tesla delivered about 16,130 vehicles in the “other models” category in Q1, while Model 3 and Model Y deliveries totaled 341,893, indicating strong performance in high-demand models, yet the overall delivery figures could not offset the stock price decline.
- Market Sentiment and Risks: While ARK continues to accumulate shares, JPMorgan reiterated its 'Underweight' rating, warning of a potential 60% downside for the stock and lowering its 2026 EPS forecast to $1.8, reflecting uncertainties around demand and inventory levels.
See More
Tesla Developing New Compact SUV at Lower Price Point
- New Model Development: Tesla is reportedly developing a new compact SUV that is expected to be priced significantly lower than the Model 3, which could attract more budget-conscious consumers and expand its market share.
- Supplier Engagement: According to a Reuters report, Tesla has reached out to suppliers in recent weeks to discuss the manufacturing process and specifications for the compact SUV, indicating the company's commitment and preparation for the new model.
- Market Reaction: While Tesla shares edged up 0.1% in Thursday's pre-market trading, retail sentiment on Stocktwits trended bearish, reflecting a cautious market outlook regarding the new vehicle.
- Industry Implications: Tesla's compact SUV initiative could impact the entire electric vehicle market, particularly among price-sensitive consumer segments, intensifying competition and driving innovation within the industry.
See More
Tesla Developing Lower-Cost Compact Electric SUV
- New Model Development: Tesla is developing a smaller, lower-cost electric SUV, and while the project is still in its early stages, the company has begun discussions with suppliers regarding manufacturing processes and component specifications, indicating its intent to explore new market segments.
- Market Positioning: The SUV is expected to be shorter than the Model Y and priced significantly lower than the Model 3, which starts at $34,000 in China, aiming to attract a broader consumer base, with initial production likely in China before expanding to the U.S. and Europe.
- Strategic Shift: This move follows CEO Elon Musk's decision to scrap plans for a low-cost EV in 2024 and pivot towards robotaxis and humanoid robots, showcasing the company's adaptability in the electric vehicle market.
- Future Outlook: While it remains unclear if this SUV signifies a return to mass-market vehicles, sources suggest the new model could cater to both human-driven and autonomous driving functionalities, reflecting Tesla's long-term vision for autonomous technology.
See More
ARK Invest Buys Tesla Shares Amid Decline
- Significant Purchases: ARK Invest acquired nearly 81,000 shares of Tesla over three days during the stock's decline, investing over $28 million, demonstrating ongoing confidence in the electric vehicle market despite volatility.
- Holding Proportion: As of Wednesday, Tesla constituted 8.49% of ARKK ETF's portfolio, remaining its largest holding, even as the stock has fallen 13.9% this month and approximately 24% year-to-date.
- Divergent Analyst Opinions: Despite mixed market sentiment and a cautious Underweight rating from JPMorgan, which flagged rising inventory risks, ARK continues to emphasize autonomous driving as a key component of its long-term investment thesis.
- Weak Market Sentiment: Tesla's stock hit a 2026 low on Tuesday, reflecting ongoing weakness in sentiment towards electric vehicles, battery storage, and AI stocks, as investors remain cautious ahead of the upcoming Q1 earnings report.
See More
Rivian's Market Prospects in the EV Sector
- Improving Financials: Rivian's revenue increased by 8% year-over-year to $5.4 billion last year, demonstrating resilience and potential growth despite challenges from the expiration of U.S. EV government tax incentives, indicating a positive trend in its financial performance.
- New Model Launch: The company plans to start deliveries of its R2 model in the second quarter, with expectations to deliver between 62,000 and 67,000 units by 2026, representing a nearly 53% increase compared to the previous fiscal year, directly competing with Tesla's popular Model Y and enhancing market share.
- Strategic Partnerships: Rivian's agreement with Uber involves the purchase of 10,000 fully autonomous R2 models, with an option for 40,000 more by 2030, providing up to $1.25 billion in investment, although achieving full autonomy remains a significant technological hurdle that requires further R&D.
- Competitive Pressures: While Rivian is seeing growth in service revenue, it faces intense competition from Tesla's established models, and the company does not expect to achieve adjusted EBITDA profitability until 2027, increasing uncertainty and risk for investors.
See More
