Expert Asserts That Tesla’s Electric Semi Will Totally Disrupt the Auto Industry – Futurism

In Brief A prominent analyst has demonstrated his belief that Tesla's electric semi truck will disrupt the auto industry by downgrading stocks of competitors. This comes on the heels of the highest share price forecast Tesla has ever received. Disruption Ahead

Last week, Elon Musk announced that the seriously next-level Tesla semi truck would be coming this September. In response, Piper Jaffray analyst Alex Potter published a note on April 18 indicating that he is downgrading truck makers Paccar and Cummins, partly because their valuations already reflect cyclical optimism, but also because we think TSLAs impending arrival could pressure valuations.

Potters vote of confidence in Teslas potential impact on transportation was met with incredulity from some in the auto making industry, as neither the Tesla Model 3 or its semi have launched yet.According to CNBC, Potter further clarified his position in a separate note strictly on Cummins:

Cummins makes diesel engines, but companies like Tesla (among others) are aiming to supplant CMIs products. These Silicon Valley disrupters are not confining their ambitions to sedans; instead, they have announced plans for electric semis, electric pickups, electric buses, and various other products that defy the preeminence of diesel engines. CMI enthusiasts will note that EVs wont replace diesel trucks in the coming 2 years (not in a material way, at least) and we agree. But when/if electric drivetrains are proven viable in the first commercial vehicle segments, we think incumbents valuations could fall rapidly thereafter.

And in a separate note dealing solely with Paccar, Potter reportedly wrote,

Teslas presence looms large; laugh all you want, but this trend cannot be ignored. In the automotive segment, Tesla and others have wrought substantial disruption, forcing incumbents to change their hiring practices, increase R&D spending, and ultimately, suffer lower multiples. PCAR may be less at risk than others and its probably too early to start ringing alarm bells but with the stock trading near the high-end of its historical valuation range, we wouldnt be adding to positions.

Although Potter acknowledged both that Tesla is not the first to produce an electric truck and that details about the truck remain unknown, he made it clear that he believes investors should consider Teslas disruptive potential in the market now. Potter forecast Tesla shares at $368 on Monday, April 10 the highest price forecast it had ever received from an analyst at a major firm.

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Expert Asserts That Tesla's Electric Semi Will Totally Disrupt the Auto Industry - Futurism