Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA) Just Raised the Bar: General Motors Company (GM), Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) (TM)

Off the grid
The CEO also says he expects his car company to be profitable throughout the year, though he’s not willing to commit to a guarantee that it will actually achieve that goal. Yet with sales to Europe and Asia expected to begin this year, there at least appears to be the prospect it will achieve its sales forecast. Whether those losses can be turned into profits by doing so remains to be seen.

Last year, Reuters charged that General Motors (NYSE:GM) was losing $49,000 on every Volt it sold, and while the carmaker refuted those numbers, saying the author included sunk costs in his figures, they do admit that the car is a money-loser. The Volt, they say, is no different from any other consumer car, “even if it takes longer to become profitable.”

My Foolish colleague Alex Scherer recently acquired a Model S, as did a relative of mine, and both of them seem to be quite happy with their purchases. But a happy customer doesn’t necessarily translate into a joyous investor. As a result, I won’t be buying its stock anytime soon, until it’s able to demonstrate it can go the extra mile by adding more Supercharger stations and technology that is more in tune with real consumer driving habits.

The article Tesla Just Raised the Bar originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors and Tesla Motors and owns shares of Tesla Motors .

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