Tesla shows no sign of improvement in May sales data

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Investor Focus & Valuation

  • Several comments argue current shareholders largely ignore weak sales and are pricing in speculative future cash flows from robotaxis, Optimus robots, and “largest AI project” narratives.
  • Others say this is pure faith/FOMO: market cap and P/E are seen as meme‑stock levels, disconnected from car‑company fundamentals.
  • Some suspect institutional investors are quietly exiting while retail and ETFs hold the bag; a few even flirt with “Enron 2.0”–style conspiracy theories, while others push back that conspiracies are overused explanations.

Robotaxis, FSD, and Safety

  • Many are deeply skeptical that Tesla’s robotaxi plans justify its valuation, even if technically successful; comparisons to Uber’s thin margins are common.
  • Waymo is repeatedly cited as the benchmark: millions of paid driverless rides, lidar-based sensing, few major safety scandals.
  • Tesla’s camera‑only approach is criticized as inherently riskier; some suggest Musk can’t admit lidar might be necessary without massive retrofits.
  • Owners are split: some say FSD now drives long distances with almost no interventions; others report it struggles on nonstandard roads and see it as far from the promises (e.g., coast‑to‑coast drives, 1M robotaxis by 2020).
  • Calls for independent, third‑party safety validation instead of Tesla‑supplied statistics are strong.

Build Quality, Reliability, and Design

  • Numerous references to “ridiculous” manufacturing defects, longstanding QC problems, and poor reliability surveys; Cybertruck is cited as a particularly botched launch.
  • Critics say interiors have been cheapened and UX degraded: loss of stalks, everything on a central touchscreen, awkward door handles, and minimal physical controls viewed as cost‑cutting, not elegance.
  • Some disagree, praising the 3/Y as comfortable, simple, and cheaper than German EVs with similar features.

Competition and Alternatives

  • Many point out that Tesla’s early technical lead has eroded: Hyundai/Kia, Ford (Mach‑E, F‑150 Lightning, future models), GM, Nissan, Toyota, and especially Chinese makers like BYD/NIO now offer compelling EVs.
  • The shift to NACS by other automakers is seen as removing Tesla’s Supercharger moat.
  • Some buyers are explicitly choosing hybrids (e.g., Prius) or non‑Tesla EVs for cost, reliability, or road‑trip economics.

Politics, Musk, and Brand Toxicity

  • A major thread is political: multiple commenters say they won’t buy or will sell Teslas due to Musk’s behavior, perceived authoritarian and extremist sympathies, and heavy entanglement with government contracts.
  • Others lament “giving up high‑quality EVs over politics,” but get strong pushback that supporting or boycotting a CEO is a legitimate factor once products are no longer uniquely superior.
  • Several owners report they like their cars but will never buy another; some sold solely to avoid association with the brand.

Consumer Behavior & Market Trajectory

  • Anecdotes suggest a growing cohort of ex‑or‑current owners moving to Hyundai, Toyota, etc., and friends who abandoned Tesla purchase plans.
  • Some still praise Teslas as “transformational” and hold the stock, hoping for long‑term upside.
  • Overall sentiment in the thread leans toward: once‑innovative product, now facing stronger competition, quality issues, and severe reputational damage that may not yet be fully reflected in sales or stock price.