2023-05-21 07:59:19
Elon Musk. Photo : BOBBY YIP/REUTERS
As the global automotive industry is buffeted by the storm of the coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 and the crisis in Ukrainea startling statement was made by Elon MuskCEO of Tesla. During a meeting with his shareholders, Musk warned of an impending series of bankruptcies within the auto industry in the coming year. “The next 12 months will be a real challenge“, he warned, highlighting the macroeconomic difficulties that await the automotive sector. Although Musk expressed confidence in Tesla’s resilience in the face of these challenges, he highlighted a troubling reality that many automakers might be faced.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the Chinese auto market is booming. After steady growth since the Beijing Olympics in 2008, car sales have exceeded 20 million units per year since 2015. The electric vehicle (EV) segment, in particular, has grown rapidly, supported by government strategies and market demand.
BYDa local brand, is one of the winners of this evolution, with an increase of nearly 69% in sales this year. This gives it an 11% share of the total car market, larger than those of Volkswagen or Toyota.. Additionally, Tesla, despite Musk’s concerns, also saw sales in China rise 27% in the first quarter.
This growth is largely attributed to increased sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, which were up 22% in the first quarter. In contrast, sales of internal combustion vehicles fell by almost the same amount.
Musk’s predictions raise important questions regarding the future of the auto industry. The gap between struggling incumbents and booming newcomers, particularly in China, is widening. As the auto industry stands at a crossroads, Musk’s predictions may well serve as a warning to those who fail to adapt to this new reality.
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