I am sure him being in charge of DOGE would never result in subsidies and considerations for TSLA. Not in a million years. /s
Tesla just brought their Texas lithium refinery online. It's been two years in the making. It is the only lithium refinery currently operating in the US. The US has a couple of lithium mines but this is the first refinery. As far as I know, there are plans for other refineries but nothing definite and no broken ground. A lithium refinery isn't going to come online in a year. lol! Meanwhile, Chins is embargoing the hell out of all kinds of tech and rare materials. I hate to keep repeating this but how many CEOs hold their hand out and demand endless billions of annual compensation due to their unique ability to deliver, then go on to run the company like complete buffoons? Almost all of them. Tesla has their own lithium refining and battery manufacturing. They are part owners in a couple of mines, as well. Meanwhile, with sanctions just weeks away, every other North American manufacturer is basically F-ed. Remember when nearly everyone declared Elon Musk a lunatic and constantly raved how he was wrong for not operating Tesla like every other company? I do. Vividly.
Oh Elon is a lunatic. Some of it is for show (i.e. Trump MAGA silliness) and some of it is because he has a constant need for attention (i.e. Twitter/X and anything having to do with him and being seen/heard). He is a brilliant leader of Tesla in many areas, just like with this refinery and logistics. He is an idiot in others, like with him hitching his wagon to Trump/MAGA when most EV buyers are left of center on average. I think it was T0rm3nted who has been saying this from the beginning. And the Cybertruck is a hideous joke. He is a miserable, insecure man, and that factors into his actions as a business leader. If he would just shut up and focus on business: Regarding China, as much as I despise their leadership and brutal/genocidal actions, them restricting their much needed exports is a textbook case of "turnabout is fair play." Just look at the arm twisting the U.S. is doing to local/foreign companies like NVDA and ASML to prevent China from getting more advanced semiconductors. That kind of stuff is a two way street when the target is one of the most resource rich nations on earth.
I'm right there with you, RTN. I am certain Elon's politics have negatively impacted Tesla and in a significant way. Of course, it would be impossible to quantify. The Model Y went from the best selling car in the world to third place. It's getting older so some of the reduced volume will be down to that. No doubt, Juniper will be a big sales boost and it's already one of the best selling cars in the world. However, it's come to the point where left leaners are embarrassed to own a Tesla. They literally apologize for it. A polarizing CEO is not ideal in the car business.
