Activists projected an image of Elon Musk giving a Nazi salute onto Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory. The incident, claimed by Led By Donkeys and Centre for Political Beauty, is under police investigation. Reactions are mixed, and German law prohibits such displays.
Tesla faces uncertainty about the future of the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles under the new presidential administration. Analysts predict several possible outcomes, from restricting eligibility to completely eliminating the credit. The absence of the credit could negatively impact Tesla’s sales and market share, making its vehicles more expensive compared to gasoline-powered competitors. The situation’s resolution will significantly influence the EV market’s trajectory.
Tesla’s Cybertruck sales boomed in 2024, but its luxury models suffered. Elon Musk denied Tesla’s role in a power plant fire, while Jeff Bezos remained confident in the space race. US EV sales hit a record high, and several EV makers aided wildfire relief efforts.
A fire at a California battery storage facility prompted evacuations. Tesla CEO Elon Musk denied that the fire involved Tesla’s Megapacks, stating that media reports were false. The facility is operated by Vistra Energy, and the incident follows a similar fire at a nearby facility last year. Investigations are underway to determine the fire’s cause.
Tesla extended its free lifetime supercharging offer for the Cybertruck’s foundation series until January 31st. This premium edition Cybertruck, priced at $99,990, is still available despite the October release of a cheaper standard model. The offer aims to clear inventory while maintaining strong sales, which saw Cybertrucks sell over 38,965 units in 2024, outperforming the Model S and X in the US market.
BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, surpassed Tesla in global battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in the fourth quarter of 2024. This marks the second time BYD has achieved this milestone. The intense rivalry between BYD and Tesla is expected to continue shaping the future of the global EV market.
Tesla shares fell 3.6% as investors reacted to speculation that Elon Musk might acquire TikTok’s US operations, potentially requiring billions in Tesla share sales. This comes as TikTok faces a US ban deadline and multiple companies are considering a purchase.
US stock markets declined on Thursday, with the Nasdaq Composite falling over 170 points. Apple shares dropped significantly due to decreased iPhone sales in China, while Rivian rose after securing a large government loan. UnitedHealth experienced a dip despite exceeding earnings estimates, and Biomerica surged after a key regulatory approval. Tesla also saw a decline despite positive analyst sentiment.
Palantir’s CTO praised Tesla and SpaceX’s manufacturing as models for US industrial revitalization. He highlighted concerns about current supply chain management and US military readiness, emphasizing the need for improved production capabilities. Palantir’s increasing focus on AI and its partnerships underscore its strategic direction and future growth potential.
Tesla is offering discounts of up to $2,000 on new Cybertrucks and up to $3,510 on demo models. This follows the introduction of the standard Cybertruck model in October, which is $20,000 cheaper than the foundation series. Despite being a premium offering, the Cybertruck was Tesla’s third best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2024.
