Scoprire la redditività: Analisi Comparativa degli Indicatori Finanziari nel Settore Automobilistico con un Focus sul Predominio di Tesla nel mercato.

Driven by regulatory pressures from the world governments, the global automotive industry is currently undergoing an evident transformation: in 2023, the industry was valued at approximately 2.8 trillion $ (Carlier, 2024), with nearly one car sold, out of 5, being an electric vehicle (EV), more than six times higher than 2018 (IEA, 2024). These data reflect the stricter emission policies that governments are enforcing in response to the climate change crisis, such as the European Union’s plan to ban internal combustion engine sales by 2035 or the United States’ goal to bring 50% of new vehicle sales to zero-emission. These new restrictions are forcing traditional automakers to transition their car park and production towards electrification, where one company stood out as one of the most promising rising stars in the field: Tesla Inc. Tesla’s meteoric rise brought this company from being an industry outlier to having a dominant position in the sector of EVs, as well as being one of the most capitalized companies in the world. This rise has been attributed to its revolutionary business model, its visionary leadership by Elon Musk, one of the most controversial personalities in the world, and its innovation in developing new technologies for EVs. This thesis aims to explore the financial performance of the most important players in the automotive industry, with a focus on Tesla’s performance, searching for the underlying factors that explain its market dominance and financial health. This study will shed light on Tesla’s financial strategy, exploring its financial ratios and comparing them to its market peers, revealing the opportunities and challenges that the company faces in one of the most competitive industries in the world. The primary objective of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive financial analysis of Tesla and its major competitors in the automotive industry, identifying the key factors contributing to Tesla’s financial health. This analysis will examine Tesla’s and competitors’ financial statements to determine and compare their financial ratios, identify the key factors contributing to Tesla’s financial performance, and evaluate its sustainability in the coming years. In particular, this thesis will develop its argument around five core pillars: a. Evaluate Tesla’s financial performance by analyzing its financial statements and financial ratios, such as liquidity, profitability, and leverage. b. Compare Tesla with its major competitors, conducting a comparative analysis of the other players in the industry, such as Ford and General Motors. c. Identify Tesla’s competitive advantages, examine its business model, and assess the factors that give Tesla an edge over traditional car manufacturers. d. Identify potential risks and challenges Tesla may face in its current market position, such as regulatory problems or increasing competition. e. Forecast future performance from Tesla, exploring its long-term potential for growth and expansion into the automotive market.