Tesla SWOT Analysis
Tesla SWOT Analysis
Tesla SWOT Analysis
For Tesla?
SWOT / By John Hughes
Tesla is a famous brand known for spearheading the transition to electric and
autonomous cars. It is a strong brand in its niche, but it is nowhere close to
perfect as it is with all businesses.
This piece will break down Tesla’s SWOT analysis and bring out the good
and bad sides that combine to make the giant the company is today. Read on;
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Overview of Tesla
Tesla Inc is an American innovative automotive and energy solutions-based
company established in 2003. Its mission is “to accelerate the world’s
transition to sustainable energy” and its vision of “creating the most
compelling car company by driving the world’s transition to electric
vehicles.”
This company was first formed as Tesla Motors, Inc but changed to Tesla Inc
as the scope of operations extended to multiple fields, most notably those
related to energy generation. Today, the company has investments in
different areas, such as motor vehicle production, auto service, financial
services, solar panels, lifestyle products, and retail merchandise. It is a classic
example of a diversification strategy in play. It has subsidiary companies that
help run all these niches, such as SolarCity, Maxwell Technologies,
DeepScale, and Hibar Systems.
Tesla Inc is Fortune 500 company, and it garnered $31.5 billion in sales in
the 2020 fiscal year, a 28% increase over the previous year. Out of this, it
reported a profit of $721 million, most of which was driven by regulatory
credits. It remains the most valuable automaker globally, with a market cap
of about $600 million, as reported in May 2020.
Tesla’s Strengths
1. Highly Innovative Processes
3. Great Employer
4. Vertical Diversification
Tesla controls most of the steps in its value chain. This makes it self-reliant
and improves the robustness of its production processes since it is quite
resistant to external forces to an extent.
The company manufactures most of the components used to make its cars, a
reason why it offers technical support to customers itself as opposed to
outsourcing third parties to do it. This diversification policy allows it to cut
costs and maintain the high quality of its cars, things that set it apart from the
competition.
5. Leadership
Elon Musk is a phenomenal leader who stands for what Tesla is all about. His
charisma, decisiveness, and courage to take on challenges that have been
declared impossible ooze throughout Tesla and shapes the company as a
whole.
This can be credited to the futuristic mission that Tesla commits to, as some
car brands continue to manufacture legacy gasoline-powered cars. It
continues to dominate despite its lagging in production volumes. It produced
just shy of 500,000 vehicles in 2020, whereas Volkswagen made 11 million
cars in 2019.
Tesla’s Weaknesses
1. Limits on Manufacturing
To cement its place as the leading car manufacturer, Tesla will have to boost
its manufacturing capacity. It only has one plant in California, which limits
the number of cars it can produce. Companies like Toyota have multiple
manufacturing plants globally, which is essential to increase vehicles’
volume. The single plant delays the distribution of older models, and this
remains a massive bottleneck in Tesla’s business model.
2. Market Limitations
Many other companies offer luxury cars to this audience, and with
competition being high, it can quickly be saturated, leaving Tesla at a
standstill. While it has released Model 3, which is a bit cheaper, it still
appeals to wealthy individuals. The company should consider fast-tracking
the plan to diversify to target ordinary people, who form the majority and can
set Tesla on its way to success.
The limited supply chain is a significant weakness that prevents Tesla from
expanding its market share. It prides itself in delivering cars on its own,
which is a good strategy but can be highly limiting. It is challenging to set up
an in-house supply chain and expect to get global reach, as managing such
would need a lot of resources. Tesla can consider reworking its supply chain
to expand its reach and get to customers across the globe.
Tesla’s Opportunities
1. Demand for Sustainable Solutions
3. Autonomous Driving
Tesla is the leading force behind autonomous driving that is the future. While
this concept continues to face numerous challenges, cementing its name as
the leader can be a great opportunity. Change is always met with uncertainty,
but Tesla can be a force to reckon with once people embrace autonomous
driving.
Tesla’s Threats
1. Increased Competition
Tesla’s meteoric rise to the top can be partly attributed to how it pioneered
things in the electric vehicle and autonomous driving space. Other companies
had tried these concepts, but only as side projects. Tesla took this as its main
project and invested time and resources to make it work for consumers.
However, people are accepting fully electric vehicles, and all the other
automotive companies are investing more in this space. In the coming years,
we will see more electric cars from BMW, Mercedes, and Toyota, which can
quickly eat into Tesla’s market share and give them a run for their money.
Some of these companies, for instance, Toyota, can easily leverage its low-
end market segment to produce electric cars and put Tesla in a contentious
place.
2. Cumulative Liability
In recent years, Tesla has been forced to recall some of its cars because
of faulty parts. Some of these issues can result in huge liability lawsuits. The
problem is that Tesla controls a significant percentage of their production
process, and these liabilities cannot be spread out to other entities. As a
result, cumulative liability can be a big problem for Tesla in the long run. It is
no easy to keep on investing more in the production process if everything is
done in-house.
Automotive giants like Mercedes Benz and Toyota have approved outlets,
and people can get support and technical assistance from any corner of the
globe. This makes it easy for them to cascade any support to these outlets if
they venture into electric cars. Tesla faces challenges to set up these support
centers, which are vital to long-term sustainability if they want to take on the
global market.
Answer: The 2021 Tesla Model S ranks near the top of the luxury hybrid and
electric cars. Its interior is spacious, has strong acceleration, composed
handling, and a good driving range while still being fully electric.
Bottomline
Tesla Inc. has several strengths that keep it on top of the car-making industry,
but competition is not asleep and will catch up soon. Some of the players it
competes with have been around for a long time and have made suitable
investments to help them catch up. As seen from the SWOT analysis, the
company has serious issues that should be addressed to help maintain
competitive advantage and improve profitability. The lack of global presence
is a huge concern that can hold the company back in the long run. However,
Tesla has what it takes to remain on top of the automotive industry, despite
the aggressive competition.
About
Latest Posts
John Hughes
John Hughes is a seasoned expert in digital marketing strategy, business
model analysis, and financial insights. Possessing a robust background in
finance, his expertise extends into deciphering complex business models,
conducting comprehensive SWOT analyses, and staying attuned to the latest
market trends.
https://businesschronicler.com/swot/tesla-swot-analysis/
https://www.scribd.com/document/291392781/Skoda-Auto-Ratio-Analysis-Case-Study - Scoda
Despite the looming roadblocks, the sector will witness some of the most exciting
times with increased adoption of EVs, more car makers introducing Internet of
Things (IoT) features in automobiles, the introduction of hydrogen-driven cars,
and so on. This calls for a deeper analysis of the automotive industry. So this
blog brings you some of the significant car market trends in 2023 that you must
watch out for. Let’s dig in.
What do You Mean by Automotive Industry Trends?
Automotive industry trends refer to the prevailing developments, changes, and
patterns within the automotive sector that significantly influence the design,
production, marketing, and usage of vehicles. A combination of factors, including
technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, regulatory changes,
and global economic conditions, drives these trends. The automotive industry is
highly dynamic, and trends are subject to change over time. Monitoring and
understanding these trends is crucial for automakers, suppliers, and other
stakeholders to stay competitive.
Some common areas of focus for automotive industry trends include electric
vehicles, autonomous driving, connectivity, sustainability, mobility solutions,
manufacturing advancements, and sales and distribution models. Following
these trends helps greater penetration in the emerging market, like the growing
adoption of electric vehicles in China and India.
Automakers and technology giants like Google and Tesla are incorporating more
digital technology into their cars. This has created a competition to
develop automotive software and digital systems to power and control innovative
electric vehicles, resulting in cars produced in 2023 and beyond being full of
technology to address digital touchpoints.
North American and European automakers offer consumers the option to buy
vehicles online without visiting dealerships. With a computer or smartphone,
buyers can choose desired features, secure financing, and even take virtual
walk-around and test drives. In 2023, more dealerships are expected to offer
online sales, vehicle inspection, and home delivery.
The demand is highest for vehicles under four years old, which have the latest
technologies but are less expensive than new cars. This includes pre-owned
electric and hybrid vehicles, and dealerships now offer certified pre-owned cars
that look and function like new ones at a lower cost. Low APR financing options
make pre-owned vehicles an attractive choice.
Connected cars are vehicles that use wireless means to connect to the Internet
of Things. They offer a safe, comfortable, and convenient multimedia experience
with on-demand features that allow users to browse the web while in their
vehicle. They provide various features such as remote diagnostics, vehicle health
reports, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspots, turn-by-turn directions, and warnings of car
health issues. The technology has already processed over a billion customer
requests and is set to overgrow in 2023 with predictive intelligence and
maintenance technology.
Fuel-cell electric vehicles will emerge worldwide in 2023 due to their faster
recharge, extended range, and zero emissions. Major car, truck, and SUV
manufacturers are investing in fuel-cell electric vehicle development, with the
support of countries like China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United
States. This could be the year when fuel-cell electric vehicles finally break
through.
Consumer trends in automotive industry reveal that short videos are more
effective than text in converting leads into customers in the automotive industry.
Dealerships can take advantage of various videos, such as how-to videos, car
highlights, and customer testimonials. Car dealership tours are also gaining a lot
of traction.
Dealers and sellers can leverage them through videos or virtual reality. More and
more customers today are prioritizing environmental sustainability. Therefore,
you should focus on environmentally conscious manufacturing processes and
eco-friendly cars like electric vehicles.
Chatbots and messaging solutions are key technology trends in the automotive
industry. These tools enable dealerships to handle inquiries efficiently, freeing
time for other tasks. They also facilitate the management of maintenance and
repair appointments, streamlining dealership operations. Voice search assistants
also optimize their interface for advertisements and voice search queries.
The future trends in the automobile industry suggest that 2023 can be the
milestone year for connected cars. The expansion will stem from the speedy
spread of data that can be capitalized upon to lower expenses, streamline
research and development, enhance products and services, and restrict
emissions.
However, automotive executives need help as they focus on new technology that
meets consumer and regulatory demands. This has led to a shift away from
traditional automotive infrastructure, which focused on powertrains, interiors,
electrical systems, and safety systems. Information technology has become a
crucial part of the recent trends in automobile industry as priorities change over
time.
2023 EV sales are expected to increase, providing a bright spot in the automotive
industry. Governments are implementing innovative policies to encourage sales
without increasing costs or benefiting high-income households.
The US will offer a $7,500 EV tax credit for eligible vehicles assembled
within North America.
France is working on a subsidized EV leasing plan for low-income
households.
However, Germany will reduce incentives for battery EVs and eliminate
subsidies for plug-in hybrid EVs.
Norway will phase out tax breaks for expensive EVs starting in January
2023.
However, EV sales in the first half 2023 may see a slight plunge. Battery
manufacturers have significantly reduced their production since early December
due to the unpromising demand in the upcoming months.
However, although the Chinese EV market may take some time to adapt to the
new subsidy-free scenario, the situation is optimistic. Demand may decelerate
due to the end of Chinese subsidies for EVs, but it should not lead to a decrease.
Apart from this, reduced access to EV charging points remains a significant
challenge, according to consumer trends in automotive industry.
With product values tied to software and operating systems, you need to
continuously engineer and re-engineer the capabilities of autonomous vehicles to
ensure a frictionless experience. Additionally, you need a dedicated team of
professionals who can quickly resolve malfunctioning, security issues, and other
tech bottlenecks.
While these trends slowly penetrate, conventional car buyers will still occupy a
significant portion of the market. You must keep them since they are also a part
of your target audience.
Your new business should combine core automotive selling, online sales, and
new mobility services.
In the era of everything becoming digital-first, you cannot afford to stay in a silo
anymore. You need to go omnichannel and build your presence on all
touchpoints. Leverage social media platforms and online third-party car
marketplaces to increase your awareness among buyers.
Also, allow them to escalate between offline and online modes smoothly. Make
every phase of the buying journey frictionless.
Bonus Tip
However, there are yet to be more autonomous vehicles on the road due to the
technological and safety challenges that must be overcome. Driverless cars have
sometimes struggled with unexpected incidents on the road and in poor weather
conditions.
Despite these challenges, there have been some success stories. Self-driving
taxis are already available in parts of China and several US cities. More
driverless journeys will occur as technology continues to be enhanced and
refined.
In October 2022, the delivery lead time for chips decreased by six days to 25.5
weeks, the most significant drop since 2016. Approximately 70 percent of
industrial companies report faster chip supply, possibly due to weakened
consumer spending and demand. These constraints are expected to persist into
2023, as semiconductor production has exceeded full production-rate utilization
since 2019, with recent rates surpassing 95%.
Overall, Auto News suggests that analysts expect the chip shortage will result in
a loss of 3 million in vehicle production in 2023.
The high prices and increasing interest rates are causing sales to decline for
dealers and automakers nationwide. Prices are expected to decrease as supply-
chain issues improve, and sales continue to soften. However, interest rates may
remain high as the Federal Reserve works to lower inflation.
Fewer new vehicle purchases mean consumers hold onto their vehicles longer,
reducing the available used inventory and increasing prices. Additionally, interest
rates for used vehicle loans are higher than those for new cars. It is anticipated
that used-vehicle sales will not return to pre-pandemic levels of around 40 million
units per year until 2025, similar to new-vehicle sales.
However, as per theused car industry trends, prices for used vehicles have
dropped overall due to lower sales, but specific segments like pickups and vans
have held their value better than others like SUVs and CUVs, which have seen
the most significant price drops despite their popularity among new car buyers.
The demand for work vehicles has helped pickups and vans hold their value.
Luxury car brands are experiencing growth due to increased tangible luxury
offerings and rising disposable incomes. The demand for sustainable and eco-
friendly transportation, like electric luxury vehicles, also drives market growth.
The adoption of pre-owned luxury cars is increasing due to easy access to
financing and lower entry prices. Manufacturers are investing in innovative
mobility technologies, such as personal voice assistance, autonomous driving,
and AI and ML, creating a positive market outlook.
By 2035, approximately 16% of all new LV (light vehicle) sales in the US are
predicted to consist of advanced automated vehicles (L3, L4, and L5). These
estimates are considered conservative in light of the assumption that EVs will
attain total cost-of-ownership equivalence with ICE vehicles by 2025 and depend
on forecasts regarding the development of EV-charging infrastructure.
In addition, OEMs will build new operating models to support new businesses.
Auto OEMs and many Tier 1 and even Tier 2 suppliers will likely need to
reorganize and widen their old operating model to accommodate new business-
generating products and services and draw in the latest workforce skills.
Undoubtedly, auto OEMs will keep concentrating on their core business, which is
generally based on development and industrial platforms and consists of
automobiles, aftermarket repairs and maintenance, and financial services related
to those vehicles.
Conclusion
We hope this blog helps you understand the upcoming automotive industry
trends in 2023. The industry trends show a positive perspective for the times to
come despite the expected global slowdown and supply chain disruptions. As a
car seller, dealer, or manufacturer, you must only build flexible yet solid
automotive marketing strategies and create a strong sense of customer trust and
loyalty. Make sure you stand out from your peers by focusing on every intricate
detail through marketing and staying at the top of buyers’ minds.