Tesla CEO Elon Musk declared in 2019 that the value of Tesla vehicles would increase over time mainly as a result of their full self-driving (FSD) feature. This claim meant that with further updates and regulatory approvals, Tesla cars would be completely automated, hence worth substantial wealth. Yet, the latest market signals and information confirm that Musk’s prediction has failed to materialize.
However, according to Musk, the appreciation in the value of the used Tesla Model 3 has decreased over the past years, especially when considering the average price which does not correspond to the appreciation value. The decrease in value can be explained by reasons such as no regulatory approval for FSD and low sales volumes. Tesla has to struggle against other carmakers invading the EV market and its strategic losses for electric cars.
The value of secondhand Teslas has been directly impacted by Tesla’s pricing strategy, which includes lowering the price of new models. The value of used cars of the same make and model drops in tandem with the price of new cars. This effect has been especially noticeable in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, as Tesla’s activities have affected other EVs’ prices and rates of depreciation.
There are effects outside of the consumer market from the fast depreciation of used Tesla vehicles. Tesla’s dropping resale value has hurt rental car firms, like Hertz, and resulted in losses. Furthermore, Tesla’s pricing approach has sparked price competition in the used EV market, which has an impact on rival models’ costs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
In conclusion, the sharp decline in the average cost of used Tesla cars indicates that Elon Musk’s prediction that the vehicles would increase in value has not come true. The competitiveness and market conditions in the electric vehicle (EV) sector have greatly influenced the value of Tesla vehicles, underscoring the difficulty of estimating the worth of automotive assets in a market that is changing quickly.