Auto Hybrids Are Great: But What’s Next? – Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA), Cummins Inc. (CMI), Sasol Limited (SSL)

There is no shortage of visionaries when it comes to the automobile industry.  However, it’s rare that a revolutionary technology really takes hold in a very big way.  It’s been well over a decade since our last major revolution, being hybrid technology.

It would be short-sighted to suggest that hybrid technology is the pinnacle of automobile development.  So with that in mind let’s take a look at two companies offering promising disruptive technologies and one complimentary company poised to grow no matter the outcome.

First an important note on why disruptive technologies present such great opportunities.  There are many things that make companies successful, but when you get right down to it operating margins and products are really what drive a company forward.  Great products are always appreciated but a disruptive product can steal massive amounts of market share.  For a recent example of disruptive products stealing market share, think of smart phone and tablet development that we’ve seen over the last decade and how it benefited a certain company.

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Tesla is a domestic auto manufacturer based in California.  Recently they were the recipient of yet another award, Motor Trend’s 2013 Car of the Year Award for the Tesla Model S.  Motor Trend wrote “For the first time since anyone can remember, this year’s winner was a unanimous choice.  Not a single judge had any doubts about the 2013 Motor Trend Car of the Year.”  High praise from a magazine that normally appreciates the roaring V-8’s.  But then again how many stock V-8’s can go from 0-60 in only 4.4 seconds.

While the price tag may be a bit daunting, starting at close to $60,000, the all electric vehicle promises to make you Mother Nature’s best friend and the envy of every car enthusiast in your neighborhood.  But you might have to get your order in soon since the 2013 production numbers are only going to number 20,000. However, this is a huge increase from the 2012 production numbers of around 3,000.

Distribution centers have been opening all over the world from the Netherlands, to Canada, to Hong Kong most recently.  As a result of this increased exposure, demand for the luxury electric vehicle has been increasing as more people see the silent sport coupes gliding effortlessly through the morning commute with cat-like agility.

Plans for an all electric SUV are underway, known as the Model X, and target dates of 2014 have been set for the release.  This sporty SUV promises the same eco-friendliness, far more room, and still will hit 0-60 in under 5 seconds.  On a side note the “falcon doors” are a great addition promising to give the occupants maximum entry and exit room in the narrowest of spaces.

Another point of interest is their CEO, Elon Musk, who also co-founded Pay Pal.  This visionary is also responsible for the ambitious nature of Space X which is a leading pioneer in private space flight/exploration. Elon is not just the CEO of Tesla but the product’s architect as well.  Tesla is the realization of a personal dream Elon has held for over two-decades.  It would be difficult to find a more genius businessman/engineer/physicist that is dedicated to a company’s future.