Elon Musk and other Tesla executives have always maintained that their company’s biggest competitor is not another EV maker, but rather manufacturers of internal combustion engine cars. This makes sense, as Tesla’s ambitious production and sales goals cannot be met without stealing market share from ICEs, which still dominate the global automobile market. But what would happen if an EV competitor arose and challenged Tesla’s supremacy and even its existence with a better product?
Hiromichi Mizuno, a board member of Tesla, recently spoke at the World Government Summit on February 14th and revealed that Elon Musk has said he would accept Tesla’s bankruptcy if a rival launched a better EV. Mizuno disagreed with this statement, as it is his job to look after the company’s long-term interests. This comment suggests that Musk has said this more than once, which could mean he is confident no other company will surpass Tesla in the EV market.
Mizuno also expressed his admiration for Musk’s tenacity, joking that he was unsure whether the billionaire was a “human or alien.” He noted that Musk seems to have an “incredible bandwidth” over his work. Mizuno was chosen to join Tesla’s board in April 2020.
Musk has previously said that Tesla could have gone bankrupt multiple times during its two decades of existence. In November 2020, he said the company was “about a month” away from falling into bankruptcy from mid-2017 to mid-2019.
It is clear that Elon Musk is confident in Tesla’s ability to remain competitive in the EV market, despite the potential threat of a rival company launching a better product. His tenacity and dedication to the company are admirable, and it is no wonder that Mizuno has such admiration for him.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Are electric car batteries dangerous?
A3: Electric car batteries can be dangerous if not handled properly. It is important to follow safety instructions when handling and charging electric car batteries.