Tesla’s Cybertruck Buzz Boosts EV Stocks; Fisker Misses Production Target

Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk on stage with the newly unveiled all-electric battery-powered Tesla Cybertruck with broken glass on windows following a demonstation that did not quite go as planned on November 21, 2019 at Tesla Design Center in Hawthorne, California. - Tesla introduced a new electric sports utility vehicle slightly bigger and more expensive than its Model 3, pitched as an electric car for the masses. PHOTO BY FREDERIC J.BROWN/GETTY IMAGES

The electric vehicle space saw some buoyancy in the week ending on July 7 despite the weakness seen in the broader market. Positive headlines from EV companies proved healthy for the industry, sending stocks mostly higher.

Skeptics saw the development as reflecting weak demand and raised concerns about its impact on the company’s margins.

As the Cybertruck launch approaches, the vehicle has created a lot of buzz among Tesla fans and bulls. On Friday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk offered an update himself, tweeting, “Just drove Cybertruck around Austin.”

In response, fans asked whether Tesla’s newest EV would arrive by September. Tesla bull Gary Black said he sees the Cybertruck launch as a game-changer for Tesla, giving the company’s volume a big lift.

Additionally, one more automaker embraced Tesla’s North American Charging Standard, or NACS, this week. Mercedes-Benz AG (OTC:MBGAF) announced it will adopt Tesla’s charging standard in 2025.

Visitors wearing face coverings view the Telsa Cybertruck at the recently reopened Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, July 1, 2020. Tesla Continues With Discounts, Cybertruck Buzz And More: Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) surprised analysts and investors by opting to extend the discounts it offered for new inventory vehicles into the third quarter. The discounts were offered as part of the company’s quarter-end push during the second quarter. PHOTO BY ROBYN BECK/GETTY IMAGES 

Rivian’s Emergence As Credible EV Maker:  Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives recently said in a CNBC interview that Tesla is “the world” and other EV makers are “renters.” At least one of the renters, however, has positioned itself well enough to emerge as a fitting competition to the Musk-led company.

Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:RIVN) reported better-than-expected second-quarter deliveries this week. The stock began climbing ahead of this week as the Normal, Illinois-based startup struck a NACS charging partnership with Tesla. It gained further ground after the latest update on deliveries.

Fisker Q2 Production Misses Forecast:  Teething troubles weighed down on Fisker, Inc. (NYSE:FSR), as the company produced only 1,022 Ocean SUVs. The number paled in comparison to the 1,400 to 1,700 units the company had targeted. Fisker blamed the miss on a shortage of components from its subsuppliers.

Nikola Adjourns Shareholder Meeting Yet Again: Struggling electric truck maker Nikola Corp. (NASDAQ:NKLA) failed to get shareholder nod to issue new stock on its second try. The company adjourned its annual shareholder meeting until Aug. 3. Reports say a Delaware bill that is expected to pass in early August might help the company, as Nikola would require a simple majority — as opposed to the current 50% minimum — to approve an increase to outstanding shares.

Audi’s Rumored Mexico Production Plant: Audi, a subsidiary of the German automaker Volkswagen AG (OTC:VWAGY), will reportedly announce on July 18 plans to open an EV production plant in Mexico. Incidentally, Tesla’s Giga Mexico construction is already underway.

 

 

 

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