Does Tesla’s Q1 Deliveries Miss Foreshadow Model 3 Delays?
Loading the player… Tesla Motors ( TSLA ) stock staged an upside reversal Tuesday after analysts downplayed the electric-car maker’s Q1 deliveries miss due to a parts shortage. Credit Suisse on Tuesday raised its price target on Tesla to 280 from 240, saying that there should be a substantial uptick in deliveries during Q2 and the second half of the year as Tesla addresses inefficiencies. And FBN Securities said “the near-term results are rather meaningless compared to the huge Model 3 opportunity ahead.” With over 276,000 Model 3 pre-orders by Sunday, Pacific Crest sees 350,000 to 400,000 reservations through Wednesday for the first full week. Deutsche Bank said it would not be surprised if Tesla’s backlog reached 500,000 by the time the Model 3 entered production in 2017. Tesla shares dropped more than 2% at the start of trade, but reversed higher in strong trade, closing up 3.4% to 255.47 on the stock market today . The stock hit its highest level since late September, and is now trading 10% below its July peak. While analysts see a pick-up in Model X deliveries and a huge opportunity with the Model 3, they warned of execution risk with the mass-market car and said the key for Tesla is to get production in order. The parts shortage appears to be “one-time” in nature, according to Pacific Crest, but “it highlights the difficulty of ramping a new car, which could carry risk to delivering the Model 3 on time and within budget.” Tesla says it expects to start Model 3 production in late 2017, with total output hitting 500,000 vehicles by 2020. Elsewhere in the automaker space, Ford ( F ) tried to stage an upside reversal as it found support at its 50-day line, but closed down 0.2%. The company announced it’s moving some of its production to Mexico. The stock is 20% below its 52-week peak. General Motors ( GM ) fell 1% Tuesday after breaching support at its 50-day line in Monday’s session. General Motors shares are also trading 20% below their 52-week high. Ferrari ( RACE ) is holding above its 50-day line, but it’s 33% below its all-time high reached on its first day of trade. Ferrari slid 2.2% Tuesday. And Tata Motors ( TTM ) found support at its downward sloping 200-day line as it dropped 3.9%. The maker of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles is trading 39% below its 52-week high.