Tesla Semi Will "Learn The Hard Way" Says Daimler

Tesla Semi Will “Learn The Hard Way” Says Daimler

HINSDALE, IL - JUNE 10: A truck driver navigates a rain-covered highway on the outskirts of Chicago on June 10, 2014 in Hinsdale, Illinois. Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate that would ease restrictions on the number of hours truckers can drive each week is being questioned following a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike in which an allegedly sleep-deprived truck driver crashed into a bus, seriously injuring comedian Tracy Morgan and killing Morgan's friend, fellow comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) /

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Tesla’s Not In Kansas Anymore

Daimler Truck’s CEO seems to give the Tesla Semi credit for attempting to innovate the transportation industry, but his lack of faith in the Tesla Semi is nothing of a secret:

"“But trucking is a difficult business. They will learn the hard way, trucking is not like passenger cars where one size fits all. There’s a lot of variety in trucking…the United States is a highly competitive market, so as I said, they’re fun.” – Martin Daum, Daimler Truck CEO / Business Insider"

Is Tesla Bringing A Pocket Knife To A Machine Gun Fight?

You can’t say the man doesn’t make a solid argument. Despite Tesla’s success in the light car market, the company hasn’t exactly been doing a stellar job in the revenue department. It’s no secret that Tesla has burned through enough money to just about solve world hunger. (Seriously, they burn through an atrocious amount of capital.)

When Daum shovels off the thought of the Tesla Semi being a threat, he very well may have a point. As expensive as trucks are to purchase new, the profit margin isn’t as stellar as you may think.

Daimler Trucks sold 176,000 trucks in North America in 2018, but over 500,000 on a global scale. These trucks include (but are not limited to) heavy class-8 tractors. Daimler brands include Alliance Parts, Detroit Diesel, Freightliner, Thomas Built Buses, Western Star Trucks, and Sterling Trucks. (Business Insider.)

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