Globally:
Change:
Tesla plans to open car dealerships in 25 countries within the next 2 years.

Opportunity:

Expand Customer Base.

Threat:

Will Tesla be affordable in 3rd world countries where income is low?

Can Tesla preserve its culture when recruiting employees in other countries?

Considering the companies’ current financial problems, continued global expansion may not be such a good idea.

Demographic:
Change:
Tesla is now attracting middle-class consumers by becoming more affordable

Opportunity:
Capture low to middle end of electric car market, while continuing to sustain the high end

Threat:
Losing high end of the market to competitors, like Mercedes and BMW

Political:
Change/Opportunity:
Congress established CAFE(Corporate Average Fuel Economy) after oil embargoes of 1970’s
In 1990 CARB(California Air Resource Board) passed the ZEV(zero emission vehicles) mandate * This allowed for tax credits on all ZEV cars, and set a man. requirement of 10% by 2003 * Most importantly the ZEV mandate was credited with increased R&D of the electric car prototype
US Govt. currently offers economic incentives to sellers and buyers of electric vehicles
Threat:
Tesla, Solar City and Space X are all heavily subsidized by US Govt. * During financial crisis Tesla received $465m in low-interest federal loans * The big question is “Can Tesla succeed without govt. assistance?”

Economic:
Change:
Domestic and global economies recovering from the recession of 2008/2009 * As the economy recovers, consumers purchasing power will increase
Opportunity:
Interest rates are currently low * Therefore cost of capital is low, making it easier for Tesla to finance and expand its operations
Gas prices heavily influence the demand for electric vehicles * If gas prices are high, the demand for