Media says there's a Tesla graveyard in Florida - facts say they lied

The Electric Viking
15 Aug 202407:49

TLDRThe video script addresses rumors of a Tesla 'graveyard' in Florida, where supposedly abandoned vehicles are seen overgrown with grass. The host debunks this claim by pointing out that the photo in question only shows 64 cars, not hundreds, and that these cars are recent models, indicating they are not abandoned but likely part of an overflow inventory. The VINs suggest they were manufactured only a few months ago. The host also addresses the myth of 'EV graveyards' in China, clarifying that they involve outdated vehicles with lead-acid batteries, not modern EVs with valuable lithium batteries. The script concludes by discussing Tesla's sales figures, which show they sold more vehicles than they manufactured in the second quarter, and touches on the anticipation for an updated Model Y.

Takeaways

  • 🚗 Tesla delivered more vehicles than it manufactured in the second quarter of this year, suggesting that any 'graveyards' would be minimal.
  • 🤔 The claim of 'hundreds' of Teslas in a Florida field is disputed; the speaker could only count 64, questioning the accuracy of the media reports.
  • 🌱 The appearance of grass growing around the vehicles in Florida is attributed to the rapid growth typical of the region's climate, not abandonment.
  • 🔍 VIN numbers reveal that the vehicles in question are not abandoned but were manufactured only a few months ago.
  • 🏢 The vehicles are located near a Tesla Service Center and are suggested to be an overflow inventory lot due to lack of space at the main facility.
  • 🌞 Concerns about the sun affecting the vehicles in Florida are addressed, with modern paint jobs being durable enough to withstand such conditions.
  • 📈 Tesla's sales figures show they sold more vehicles than they produced in the last quarter, indicating a strong demand and contradicting claims of unsold inventory.
  • 🚀 The Model Y remains a strong seller worldwide, despite slight decreases in some regions, and is not considered 'dated' in all markets.
  • 🔄 There is anticipation for an updated version of the Model Y, which may explain a temporary decline in demand as consumers wait for the new model.
  • 🌐 The speaker urges Elon Musk to expedite the release of the updated Model Y to meet market expectations and excitement.
  • 📚 The script serves as a counter-narrative to media claims of 'Tesla graveyards,' providing evidence and reasoning to debunk such stories.

Q & A

  • What was the claim about Tesla vehicles in Florida that was discussed in the video?

    -The claim was that there were Tesla 'graveyards' in Florida, with hundreds of Tesla vehicles supposedly abandoned in an overgrown field.

  • How did the speaker refute the claim of Tesla graveyards?

    -The speaker refuted the claim by pointing out that the photo supposedly showing hundreds of Teslas only had 64 vehicles visible, and suggesting that the media exaggerated the number.

  • What did the VINs of the vehicles suggest about the situation in Florida?

    -The VINs suggested that the vehicles were not abandoned but were only made a couple of months ago, indicating that the location was not an EV graveyard.

  • What explanation did the local service center provide for the parked Tesla vehicles?

    -The local service center explained that the vehicles were in an overflow lot for inventory storage, as the company had run out of space at its main facility.

  • What was the speaker's response to the media's portrayal of the scene as post-apocalyptic?

    -The speaker dismissed the media's portrayal as sensationalism, stating that the scene was not indicative of an EV graveyard and that the grass growth was typical for the summer in Miami.

  • What was the speaker's view on the so-called 'EV graveyards' in China?

    -The speaker clarified that there are no proper EV graveyards in China with valuable lithium batteries, as the reported 'graveyards' were of old car rental companies with worthless lead-acid batteries.

  • How did the speaker address the concern about the sun affecting the parked Tesla vehicles in Florida?

    -The speaker suggested that while the sun could potentially affect the vehicles if left for a long time, modern paint jobs are durable and should be fine even with prolonged exposure.

  • What was the speaker's comment on Tesla's sales and production figures in recent quarters?

    -The speaker noted that Tesla sold more vehicles than they manufactured in the second quarter, indicating a healthy demand and contradicting the idea of unsold inventory.

  • What was the reason given for the decline in demand for the Tesla Model Y?

    -The decline in demand was attributed to consumers waiting for an updated version of the Model Y, which is considered dated compared to its competition.

  • What was the speaker's opinion on the competition in the electric vehicle market, especially in China?

    -The speaker acknowledged that there is strong competition, with some vehicles offering impressive charging speeds, and expressed a desire for Tesla to hurry up with the release of the updated Model Y.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Debunking the 'Tesla Graveyards' Myth

The script addresses a claim made by a crowd member at the EV show in Melbourne about the existence of 'Tesla graveyards.' The speaker refutes this by stating that in the second quarter of the year, Tesla delivered more vehicles than it manufactured, suggesting that any so-called 'graveyards' would be minimal. The speaker also critiques anti-EV and anti-Tesla narratives, pointing out a viral photo of Tesla vehicles in Miami as an example of misinformation. The photo, claimed to show hundreds of abandoned Teslas, was actually found to contain only 64 vehicles upon closer inspection. The vehicles in question were found to be recent models, manufactured only a few months prior, and were not abandoned but part of an overflow lot for inventory at a service center in Tampa, Florida. The speaker emphasizes the value of lithium batteries in EVs, dispelling the notion of 'EV graveyards' in China, and concludes by discussing the rapid growth of grass in Miami and the misrepresentation of the situation by the media.

05:01

🌞 Sun and Grass: The Reality of Tesla's Inventory Situation

This paragraph delves into the reality of Tesla's inventory situation, starting with a Reddit user's experience of purchasing a Tesla Model Y that was previously parked in a grassy field. The speaker discusses the potential effects of prolonged sun exposure on the vehicles but assures that modern paint jobs can withstand such conditions. Moving on, the script provides data on Tesla's vehicle deliveries, highlighting a record 48,457 vehicles delivered in Q4 of 2023, followed by 386,000 in Q1 and 444,000 in Q2, indicating that Tesla sold more vehicles than it manufactured in the last quarter. The speaker also touches on the anticipation for an updated version of the Model Y, noting a decline in demand due to the time taken to bring the updated model to market. The paragraph concludes with a call for Tesla to expedite the release of the new model, reflecting the eagerness of the audience and the competitive landscape of the EV market.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tesla

Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its innovative electric cars, solar energy products, and battery storage solutions. In the video, Tesla is the central subject as the host discusses the false claims about 'Tesla graveyards' and the company's actual vehicle delivery and manufacturing statistics.

💡EV show

EV stands for Electric Vehicle, and the 'EV show' mentioned in the script refers to an event or exhibition where electric vehicles are displayed and discussed. It is the setting where the host first encountered the claim about Tesla graveyards.

💡EV graveyards

The term 'EV graveyards' is used to describe areas where supposedly abandoned electric vehicles are gathered. In the video, the host refutes this claim, stating that the reported 'Tesla graveyards' are actually new vehicles in an overflow lot, not abandoned.

💡Manufactured vs. Delivered

The script highlights the difference between the number of vehicles manufactured and the number delivered by Tesla. It is used to counter the claim of vehicle surplus, showing that Tesla sold more vehicles than it produced in the second quarter of the year.

💡Anti-EV

Anti-EV refers to individuals or groups who are against electric vehicles, often promoting skepticism or criticism towards them. The script mentions 'anti-EV guys' as those who spread the false narrative about Tesla graveyards.

💡VINs

VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, a unique code used to identify individual motor vehicles. In the video, the host uses VINs to show that the vehicles in question were recently manufactured, contradicting the 'graveyard' narrative.

💡Overflow lot

An 'overflow lot' is a secondary storage area used when the primary facility is full. The script explains that the vehicles in the field are in an overflow lot due to a lack of space at the main facility, not because they are abandoned.

💡Inventory

Inventory refers to the stock of goods held by a company. The video discusses Tesla's inventory levels, emphasizing that while the company has some unsold vehicles, it is not excessive and is part of normal business operations.

💡Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is one of the company's electric vehicle models. The script mentions an overflow lot specifically for Model 3 inventory, indicating that this model is part of the vehicles stored in the field.

💡Sentry mode

Sentry mode is a security feature in Tesla vehicles that uses the car's cameras to monitor and record any activity around the vehicle. The script mentions a user's Sentry mode footage as evidence that their vehicle was previously in a similar grassy field, suggesting it's a common practice.

💡Charging speeds

Charging speeds refer to the rate at which electric vehicles can be charged. The script compares Tesla's charging speeds to those of competitors, indicating that some competitors offer faster charging, which may affect consumer demand for Tesla vehicles.

Highlights

Media claims of a Tesla graveyard in Florida are debunked.

In the second quarter of the year, Tesla delivered more vehicles than it manufactured, suggesting small or non-existent graveyards.

Anti-EV and anti-Tesla factions are accused of spreading misinformation about Tesla graveyards.

A viral photo supposedly showing hundreds of Teslas in an overgrown field is critiqued for exaggeration.

The actual count of Teslas in the photo is revealed to be 64, not hundreds.

The vehicles in question are new, not abandoned, and were manufactured only a couple of months ago.

VIN numbers suggest the vehicles are not abandoned but are recent production.

The scene is compared to a post-apocalyptic movie, but it's actually a current situation in Tampa, Florida.

Grass growth around the vehicles is attributed to the rapid growth typical of Miami summers.

A Reddit user shared that their Tesla Model 3 was parked in a similar grassy field before purchase.

Tesla's record delivery numbers in Q4 of 2023 and Q2 of 2024 are highlighted.

Tesla's sales figures for 2023 and 2024 show they sold more vehicles than they manufactured.

The best-selling car in the world in 2023 was the Tesla Model Y, with over 1.2 million units sold.

Sales for the Model Y have declined slightly in 2024 due to anticipation for an updated version.

Competing EVs in China are mentioned, with some boasting impressive charging speeds.

A call to action for Elon Musk to hurry up the release of the updated Model Y is made.