Musk: Not Happening, Ever
If you were hoping Tesla Inc. (TSLA) might eventually roll out an electric motorcycle to complement its vehicle lineup, Elon Musk has some bad news for you. The CEO responded to an AI-generated video making the rounds on X this Sunday, and his message was crystal clear: "Never happening, as we can't make motorcycles safe."
This isn't just corporate caution talking. Musk got personal about why he's so firmly against the idea, revealing that his "near death experience was on a road bike." That kind of close call tends to leave an impression. He did acknowledge that dirt bikes might be safer if you're careful about it, mainly because "you can't be smashed by a truck" when you're riding off-road. But as for Tesla entering the motorcycle market? Don't hold your breath.
The Electric Motorcycle Market Keeps Moving Forward
While Musk shuts the door on Tesla motorcycles, other major players are charging ahead. Volkswagen recently showed off a Ducati motorcycle equipped with QuantumScape Corp (QS) technology, successfully demonstrating the company's first solid-state lithium-metal battery powering an electric bike.
Honda jumped into the electric motorcycle game in September with the WN7, which promises 83 miles of range on a single charge and CCS2 charging support. The company claims its performance will match "600cc ICE models in output and 1000cc ICE models in torque." That's some serious power for an electric two-wheeler.
Harley-Davidson's Mixed Bag
Speaking of electric motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG) just reported its third quarter earnings, and the results paint an interesting picture. The motorcycle giant beat expectations with revenue of $1.074 billion versus the consensus estimate of $1.005 billion. Even more impressive, earnings per share came in at $3.10, demolishing analyst expectations of $1.46.
But here's the catch: Harley-Davidson's all-electric LiveWire subsidiary posted an operating loss between $72 million and $77 million. So while the company's overall performance looks solid, the electric motorcycle business is still burning cash. It's a reminder that transitioning to electric isn't cheap, even for established brands.
Tesla's Battery Breakthrough and AI Ambitions
Meanwhile, Tesla filed a patent application for new battery technology that could be a genuine game-changer. The innovation promises better safety, improved efficiency, and less degradation through a new battery chemistry that maintains stability at temperatures up to 85 degrees Celsius (185°F). The company claims the batteries can retain almost 99% capacity even after 3,500 hours of use. If those numbers hold up in real-world conditions, it's a significant leap forward.
On the artificial intelligence front, Musk recently declared Tesla the world leader in "real world AI," doubling down on the company's self-driving ambitions. Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system has been getting positive feedback lately, with users praising the improvements over earlier versions. Whether you agree with Musk's assessment or not, Tesla is certainly making noise in the autonomous driving space.
Price Action: TSLA slipped 1.09% to $425.46 during pre-market trading.