CATL is the world’s largest battery maker. Its founder and chief, Robin Zang, blasted Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his bet on the 4680-type cylindrical cell.
Tesla placed a big bet back in 2020 when it announced that it was developing a new battery cell format. The 4680 battery,
However, the biggest battery maker in the world, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited, better known as CATL, believes that going down the cylindrical cell route is a dead end. CATL’s founder and head honcho, Robin Zeng, told Tesla CEO Elon Musk this to his face. The reaction was silence.
Zang, who spoke with Reuters, said he had told Tesla’s head honcho that his bet on the 4680 cylindrical battery “is going to fail and never be successful.”
There are links to various such bumper stickers at the link.
My favorite:“I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy”
In any case, I don’t believe Elon involvement with the upcoming administration will have a significant effect upon Tesla sales. In fact, I believe Elon’s wealth will increase from additional government contracts obtained.
The solid state batteries will push his company aside rapidly.
There are possibly material break throughs now or within three years. His company has a short life going forward.
Mark Twain put all his money into a fantastic printing press invention. The following year another company made a printing press that was one third the size.
Oh I’m quite sure it will. I’m in a Hyundai EV group and the number of people who have said “I thought about Tesla but then I thought about Musk” is amazing. Multiply that by the KIA group, the GM group, and whatever other groups, plus all the people who don’t bother posting, I’m sure it’s a non-trivial number. I have two neighbors who have mentioned Musk as a reason to buy a Mustang EV and a Rivian instead. I’m not saying it will kill the company, obviously, just that it will certainly cost them some sales.
There is more competition out there this year and more competing models will be out next year. Tesla models Y & 3 are still selling quite well.
Personally when I am looking at a vehicle to purchase I look first at price then at the quality of the offering. Funny me I never factor in whether the CEO is a dick.
Funny, I generally look at the quality of the offering and whether it meets my needs and then I look at the price. I’ve never looked at the CEO of the company as a factor in my decision. I would make an exception for Tesla.
In a different way, my mother refused to consider Japanese cars, even 50 years after World War II, even when they were clearly superior for her needs and less expensive as well. Dad served in the Pacific theater.
By contrast, Mrs. Goofy’s parents never owned a German car. They were Jewish, and he served under Patton (many many levels down) in that part of the war.
