2019 will be a critical year for Tesla — here's what to expect from the automaker (TSLA)

• Tesla endured a wild and crazy 2018.
• The coming year offers numerous milestones that will determine whether Tesla thrives or struggles.
• I've broken them down, month-by-month.

 

If 2018 was the wildest and craziest year in Tesla's 15-year history, then 2019 is shaping up to be its most critical year.

CEO Elon Musk's all-electric automaker will enter 2019 having produced and sold more vehicles than ever and the company could be well on its way to a half-million in cars delivered by the end of the year. That might sound awesome — but Tesla has traditionally struggled mightily with the building-cars aspect of the car business.

Musk will also be facing potential twin headwinds in 2019: an economic slowdown in the US; and the first stages of the 2020 national election. If the US auto market slips into a downturn, then Tesla won't be spared some pain.

There's good news on the horizon, however, as Tesla prepares to unveil its Model Y crossover SUV, along with some other new vehicles, including a rumored pickup truck.

Here's a month-by-month look forward to Tesla's big events and news for 2019:

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JANUARY: Tesla reports fourth-quarter and full-year vehicle delivery numbers.

The company expects the Model 3 to add substantially to its 2018 delivery totals. 2017 saw 100,000 vehicles delivered, and 2018 could more than double that total.

FEBRUARY: Tesla reports fourth-quarter and full year earnings.

After a profitable third-quarter in 2018, Tesla could post its first six-month period in the black EVER. 

Regardless of the bottom line, Tesla's topline revenue should continue to surge. For the full year of 2019, the company could bring in close to $30 billion.

MARCH: Tesla could reveal the Model Y crossover SUV — and pay off convertible bonds.

Tesla has a market mismatch in the US with its Model 3, a sedan in an SUV world. The Model Y will fix that. 

The company has also said it will pay off $920 million in convertible debt, due in September, with a mix of stock and cash. But shares need to be trading at around $360 per share for the stock deal to be appealing to bondholders.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Contributer : Tech Insider https://read.bi/2EVXdEP

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