Expect $Tesla (TSLA. US)$ will announce record quarterly deliveries in early January, but the company is grappling with inflation, rising interest rates, falling production and concerns about weak demand that may still struggle to keep investors happy.
To clear inventory, Tesla is offering a rare $7,500 discount to U.S. customers who buy a Model 3 or Model Y, as well as 10,000 miles of free supercharging. Delivery volumes are one of the most closely watched indicators for investors, who are eager to see if Tesla can maintain its rapid growth. According to 16 analysts, global sales could reach 420,760 units in the fourth quarter, a forecast figure (excluding some recent analysts’ forecasts) that exceeded the record 343,830 vehicle deliveries in the third quarter.
Robert W. Baird analyst Ben Kallo lowered his forecasts for fourth-quarter and 2023 deliveries to account for slowing production and a weaker macro environment. Kallo has an “outperform” rating on Tesla stock, and the automaker expects deliveries of 378,262 vehicles in the fourth quarter. “I’m concerned about the overall economic environment, can people afford a $60,000 car? This is also what the market is worried about. ”