Editor’s Note: Related tickers: Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Can Suppliers Keep Pace with Tesla’s Battery Demands? (WallStCheatSheet)
These days, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) doesn’t only affect the wallets of both investors and consumers. Suppliers, too, are feeling the impact the increasingly popular electric car manufacturer is having on the automobile industry — and they’re racing to keep up with Tesla’s progress. Tesla Motors and its iconic Model S sedan have all but hogged automobile headlines as of late. The U.S. automaker has seen its stock soar ever since posting its first profitable quarter, and its all-electric Model S has also won the hearts of many, just as long as they can stomach the base line $70,000 price-tag.
Nissan and General Motors Say Self-Driving Cars Only Seven Years Away (LatinPost)
As crazy as it sounds, self-driving cars could be less than a decade away. Nissan said last week that it would be selling “autonomous” cars by 2020, while General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) also said it would be doing the same. According to CBS News and National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland, the cars will probably not simply drive on its own for an entire trip, but instead will need some assistance from a “co-pilot,” something similar to the way pilots operate a flight on co-pilot.
General Motors sets monthly sales record in August (AutoTalk)
General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) reported a record monthly sale of 245,799 vehicles in August this year, reports The Detroit News. The automaker’s sales rose 11.2% from August 2012. In August, Buick sales in China jumped 17.7% to 67,793 vehicles, setting a record for the month. Also, Cadillac sales rose 108.9% to 4,396 sales, as GM sold more than 2,000 XTS sedans and as SRX sales jumped by 49.4%, the publication reports. In China, Cadillac’s sales set an August record.
You’re Not Going To Want To Miss Elon Musk At IGNITION (BusinessInsider)
Is a 42-year-old serial entrepreneur already the greatest tech god since Steve Jobs? Or maybe ever? Thousands of Quora up-voters think so. And we won’t disagree. Extreme entrepreneurialism is what the digital age enables — and no one does it better than Elon. Disrupting the money world with PayPal. Launching SpaceX, already NASA’s go-to rocket provider. Building SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY), the biggest US solar-power installer. Electrifying Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) — zero to $20B market cap, already the most transformative car maker since Henry Ford rolled out his Model T.
Ford Earns Credit Upgrade From S&P (Fool)
In yet another sign Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is distancing itself from past financial difficulties, Standard & Poor’s has assigned a BBB- rating for both Ford and its finance subsidiary, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Credit, S&P announced today. The improved rating means Ford’s debt is now considered investment grade, up from its “below investment grade,” or “junk,” status of BB+. In May 2012, Moody’s named Ford’s debt ratings investment-grade for the first time in seven years. Fitch Ratings upgraded the company to investment-grade in April 2012. An investment-grade rating signals that a company’s debt has a low risk of default. Companies with investment-grade credit ratings generally pay lower interest on debt.
Is Tesla really worth $67.12? (CNBC)
Ford’s Mulally: I’m Not Leaving Early (WSJ)
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally says he isn’t leaving before the end of 2014, reiterating a position he has held since last year when Mark Fields was promoted to chief operating officer. Mr. Mulally, 68, made the comments several times in the past week because his name became linked with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s management shuffle and restructuring effort. Reuters reported Thursday, citing two sources familiar with the board, the body was willing to let Mr. Mulally go prior to the end of 2014 to pursue other top positions at companies or a position with the Obama administration.
Tesla Had to Repay Its Dept of Energy Loan to Avoid Default (HeartLand)
When it comes to Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), an irrational exuberance has overtaken Wall Street, the Department of Energy, electric car advocates, government interventionists, crony capitalists, techie nerds and Elon Musk fanboys everywhere. The praise comes rapid fire: $20 billion market capitalization! It’s worth more than Chrysler! Its stock price is at $169! They’ve had two consecutive profitable quarters! They paid back their government loan early! The Model S is the safest car of all time! Consumer Reports says it’s almost perfect! Its batteries don’t burn up!
Why Does India Look So Good to Ford? (WallStCheatSheet)
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) announced on Wednesday that it will invest $10 billion in its manufacturing platform in India, according to a report from the Detroit News, a move the company said will help it cut costs and help it meet a growing global demand by exporting vehicles made in India around the world. In a press release outlining some of the plans, Ford specifically pointed to demand for small, fuel-efficient cars and SUVs as the reason for the growth. Over the next four to five years, the company said it will export “a substantial portion” of vehicles made at its Indian operations to 50 different markets around the globe.
