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Tesla boss Elon Musk (at the opening of the Gigafactory in Grünheide in March): Sales of almost 19 billion dollars in the first quarter
Photo: CHRISTIAN MARQUARDT/POOL/EPA
The US electric car manufacturer Tesla published its quarterly figures after the market closed on Wednesday and exceeded expectations.
Revenue rose to $18.7 billion in the first quarter, up from $10.3 billion in the same quarter last year.
Analysts had only expected $17.8 billion.
Tesla shares, which had fallen around 5 percent by the end of trading, reversed after the figures were announced and rose again by around 4 percent.
Tesla also significantly beat expectations with earnings of $3.3 billion, or $2.86 per share.
In the same quarter last year, it was only $438 million.
Tesla has also shown itself to be remarkably resilient with the current figures: While other car manufacturers are suffering from a lack of parts and disrupted supply chains, Tesla was able to continue to increase its sales.
Shanghai lockdown, cybertruck and lithium prices keep investors busy
In particular, the question of how much the corona lockdown in Shanghai has affected production at Tesla will concern investors during the subsequent analyst call.
Tesla operates a gigafactory in Shanghai and was forced to close the plant for several weeks.
In the past four weeks, Tesla has opened two more plants in Grünheide (Brandenburg) and in Austin, Texas.
Analysts also expect details on the market launch of the so-called Cybertruck.
The electric pickup is scheduled to hit the market in 2023.
Rival Rivian has already presented an electric pickup, and competitor Ford is also likely to launch its F-150 Lightning electric pickup in early summer.
In addition, Musk had complained in a tweet a few days ago about the high prices for lithium.
Lithium is an important part of Tesla's car batteries.
Musk recently wrote that the price level was “insane”.
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