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Tesla, once a paragon of minimalist advertising, is in the spotlight as it contends with slowing growth and persistent price cuts, raising questions among investors about the company's long-term strategy.
While other auto manufacturers allocate billions of dollars yearly for media campaigns, Tesla's advertising spending remains minimal.
Calls for Tesla to Start Advertising
Despite the discussions surrounding advertising, Tesla continues to rely on price cuts as its primary strategy to generate interest in its vehicles, reports CNBC. Musk has been a vocal advocate of cost-cutting measures, emphasizing the importance of making electric transportation accessible to mass-market consumers, Inside EVs noted. The average price of most Teslas has dropped approximately 20% since August 2022, based on data from Cox Automotive.
While price cuts have garnered attention, they come at a significant cost to Tesla's revenue. The most recent round of price reductions, announced in the past month, is estimated to result in the company's annual loss of $2 billion. Over the past year, these price cuts have impacted revenue even more substantially, according to industry expert Ives.
Tesla's market share among electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. has declined despite price cuts. Third-quarter deliveries reached 435,059 units, showing strong growth compared to the previous year but failing to meet analyst projections. Tesla attributed this outcome to planned factory upgrades, which led to temporary downtime.
Musk's Reaction Ignites Discussion at Shareholder Meeting
Last May, this year's annual meeting highlighted the company's objective of delivering electric vehicles to the mass market. Musk stressed that many models, particularly the Model 3, are available in the U.S. at prices lower than the average cost of a new passenger vehicle.
During the shareholder meeting, Elon Musk appeared taken aback as a shareholder raised the question of advertising. The crowd, dominated by devoted Tesla fanboys, cheered to support the inquiry.
Musk responded openly to highlighting Tesla's advantages through advertising, revealing a potential shift in the company's advertising strategy. Then Musk made a promise. "I think what you are saying does have some merit and I believe in taking suggestions and we'll try a little advertising and see how it goes," he said.
With calls for advertising gaining traction among consumers and investors, Tesla faces a critical decision regarding its advertising strategy. While the company has historically relied on word-of-mouth and organic interest, the need to regain market share and accelerate growth may necessitate a new approach.
Photo: Charlie Deets/Unsplash
