Tesla and Elon Musk Face 'The Moment of Truth' Next Week in Critical Earnings Call

Wedbush analysts have expressed that Tesla and Elon Musk are facing "the moment of truth" next week during the electric vehicle manufacturer's Q1 earnings conference call. The call, which is scheduled for April 20, according to the investment firm, might be "one of the most important moments in the company's history."

The analysts emphasized that this time is different from the past challenging situations Tesla has faced, as many long-term believers in the company are now losing faith in the Tesla story. This shift is largely due to a significant underestimation of demand erosion in China and internal debates concerning the focus on the Model 2 versus the development of Robotaxi, along with significant layoffs and increasing competition in the global electric vehicle market.

The firm stressed that all eyes will be on Tesla's earnings call, as both analysts and the broader financial community are anticipating a challenging quarter, with tempered expectations. To shift the prevailing narrative around Tesla, Elon Musk will need to address five key issues during the conference call, as identified by Wedbush:

1. Strategies to reverse negative growth in China and pricing plans: Wedbush argues that Tesla has significantly underestimated the consequences of its pricing adjustments in 2021 and 2022, which led to demand erosion in the world's largest EV market.
2. Provide clear 2024 goals and financial outlook: Given the ongoing macro uncertainties, declining valuation, and recent layoffs, clarity on Tesla's future goals and financial outlook would restore confidence in the company's trajectory.
3. Commit to launching Model 2 alongside robotaxis development: Wedbush argues that Tesla's mass-market EV, the Model 2, is crucial for the company's long-term growth and profitability. Developing it alongside the robotaxi project would help manage shareholder expectations and ensure a clear focus on priority initiatives.
4. Clarify AI initiatives and ownership concerns: Tesla's acquisition of AI startups and the company's shifting AI strategy have raised questions among investors. Musk needs to clarify Tesla's AI initiatives, its ownership structure, and how it will monetize these technologies.
5. Announce an AI day to outline strategy: Tesla's deployment of AI technologies could be a key differentiator in the future of EVs and autonomous driving. Announcing an AI day, similar to Tesla's well-known Battery Day, would allow Musk to showcase these developments and restore optimism in the company's AI capabilities.

The analysts summed up their thesis by saying that "If Musk is flippant again and there is no adult in the room on this conference call with no answers then darker days are ahead…" This quarter's earnings call will be highly critical in shaping the sentiment around Tesla and its future prospects.