Tesla\u2019s business and operational model are dependent<\/em> on this trend, and they are betting that the world is about to change in a big way. Tesla currently designs, manufactures, and sells electric cars, solar panel roof shingles, and the Powerwall<\/em> \u2013 an advanced battery pack designed for home and commercial use.[4]<\/sup> It may seem as if Tesla is perfectly positioned for the upcoming wave of new sustainable energy demand. There\u2019s only one big problem \u2013 cash.<\/p>\n Tesla has been plagued with cash issues since its inception, and has yet to turn a consistent profit, ending 2015 $717M in the red.[5]<\/sup> In Q3 2016, it looked as if they had taken a turn into positive free cash flow territory, but under closer inspection it seemed as if the cash flow was only due to an extension in payables, and Tesla is still \u201cthe same capital hungry business it\u2019s always been.\u201d[6]<\/sup> Many of these operational issues manifest themselves in the company\u2019s consistent production backlog. In Q2 2016, the company failed to their predicted numbers of 17,000 cars shipped, coming in at only 14,370:\u00a0[7] <\/sup><\/p>\n Things brings us to Tesla\u2019s core issue \u2013 timing. Tesla\u2019s operational efficiencies through vertical integration rely primarily on economies of scale to be successful. The 2016 EIA Annual Energy Outlook forecasts a substantial rise in electric vehicle demand through 2040:\u00a0[11]<\/sup><\/p>\n On the surface, it seems that Tesla is scaling appropriately given forecasts, but what if there are any production delays, as Tesla has been plagued with in the past? How could timing errors affect the prospects of the business? I see two potential outcomes, both with inherent challenges:<\/p>\n Case 1: <\/em><\/strong>Tesla ramps up production and demand is lower than expected.<\/p>\n Challenge: <\/em><\/strong>Sales are too low to recover large fixed costs. Not enough demand to negotiate low prices with suppliers.<\/p>\n Case 2: <\/em><\/strong>Tesla ramps up production and demand is higher than expected.<\/p>\n Challenge:<\/em><\/strong> Opportunity for well financed competitors to enter and steal market share.<\/p>\n As onerous as this challenge may seem for Tesla, there does seem to be hope for the future. Timing plays a huge role in this puzzle, as production deviating from the forecasted demand in either direction could spell disaster for the company. However, there are a couple strategies I see that Tesla can employ to give it the highest chances of success.<\/p>\n First, Tesla could double down on vertical integration, attempting to lower costs enough to achieve profitability at small production volumes. This way, even if they can\u2019t achieve scale, at least they will be profitable. Second, they could explore partnerships with other large automobile manufactures to find cost savings until demand rises. Additionally, the partnership could ease the economic pressure on company given that some type of financial deal is struck.<\/p>\n While it may seem that Tesla is perfectly positioned to capitalize on climate change, the behemoth that is the auto-industry will not fall lightly. Let\u2019s just say, I\u2019m sure Elon Musk is spending an inordinate amount of time perfecting his demand forecasts and mastering timing \u2013 his company depends on it.<\/p>\n (796 words)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/sup> Bloomberg.com. 2016.\u00a0Energy – Bloomberg<\/em>. [ONLINE] Available at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/energy<\/a><\/u>. [Accessed 03 November 2016].<\/p>\n [2] <\/sup>U.S. Energy Information Administration. 2016.\u00a0Annual Energy Outlook 2016 with Projections to 2040<\/em>. [ONLINE] Available at:\u00a0http:\/\/www.eia.gov\/forecasts\/aeo\/pdf\/0383(2016).pdf<\/a><\/u>. [Accessed 03 November 2016].<\/p>\n [3] <\/sup>Neanda Salvaterra. 2016.\u00a0Saudi Minister Says Oil Demand Unaffected by Efforts to Curb Climate Change \u2014 Energy Journal – MoneyBeat – WSJ\u00a0<\/em>. [ONLINE] Available at:\u00a0http:\/\/blogs.wsj.com\/moneybeat\/2016\/11\/02\/saudi-minister-says-oil-demand-unaffected-by-efforts-to-curb-climate-change-energy-journal\/<\/a><\/u>. [Accessed 03 November 2016].<\/p>\n [4] <\/sup>Tesla | Premium Electric Sedans and SUVs. 2016.\u00a0Tesla | Premium Electric Sedans and SUVs<\/em>. [ONLINE] Available at:\u00a0http:\/\/www.tesla.com<\/a><\/u>. [Accessed 03 November 2016].<\/p>\n [5] <\/sup>Tesla. 2015.\u00a0Tesla Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2015 Update<\/em>. [ONLINE] Available at:\u00a0http:\/\/files.shareholder.com\/downloads\/ABEA-4CW8X0\/1814099442x0x874449\/945B9CF5-86DA-4C35-B03C-4892824F058D\/Q4_15_Tesla_Update_Letter.pdf<\/a><\/u>. [Accessed 03 November 2016].<\/p>\n [6] <\/sup>Seeking Alpha. 2016.\u00a0Is Tesla Actually Cash Flow Positive? – Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA) | Seeking Alpha<\/em>. [ONLINE] Available at:\u00a0http:\/\/seekingalpha.com\/article\/4016421-tesla-actually-cash-flow-positive<\/a><\/u>. [Accessed 03 November 2016].<\/p>\n [7] <\/sup>Electrek. 2016.\u00a0Tesla (TSLA) missed on deliveries in Q2 with 14,370 vehicles and production of 18,345 vehicles | Electrek <\/em>. [ONLINE] Available at:\u00a0https:\/\/electrek.co\/2016\/07\/03\/tesla-tsla-missed-on-deliveries-in-q2-with-14370-vehicles-beats-production-with-18345-vehicles\/<\/a><\/u>. [Accessed 04 November 2016].<\/p>\n [8] <\/sup>Forbes.com – Ucilia Wang. 2013.\u00a0A Manufacturing Lesson From Tesla Motors<\/em>. [ONLINE] Available at:\u00a0http:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/uciliawang\/2013\/08\/08\/a-manufacturing-lesson-from-tesla-motors\/#6dac27f262ea<\/a><\/u>. [Accessed 3 November 2016].<\/p>\n![\"screen-shot-2016-11-03-at-9-41-21-pm\"](\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/Screen-Shot-2016-11-03-at-9.41.21-PM.png\")
<\/a><\/sup>Even given these issues, Tesla has already made great progress in altering its operating model to find profitability. In 2013, one analyst praised Tesla for acknowledging their production challenges and taking appropriate steps to increase production rates by 25%.[8] <\/sup>More recently in 2016, Tesla has fully embraced operational innovation. Currently producing all of its cars in America, Tesla is challenging a decades old assumption that U.S. based manufacturing can\u2019t be cost effective. To achieve this, they are embracing true vertical integration. Current plans are to build a \u201csupplier park built in the immediate vicinity with a focus on large, heavy parts with extensive variations.\u201d[9]<\/sup> Taking the strategy a step further, Tesla is amid construction of a large battery factory in nearby Nevada, the Gigafactory<\/em>, which will be able to build batteries for up to 500,000 cars annually once fully operational.[10]<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n