Deliver data to the best! How is TSLA.US responding to the global supply chain crisis?

Zhitong Finance APP learned that last Sunday, Tesla (TSLA. US) announced a record 308,600 vehicles delivered worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2021, about 15 percent higher than market expectations. This pushed Tesla's full-year total deliveries up about 87% year-over-year, a record high.

Sources and experts say Tesla's ability to design itself has allowed the company to flexibly adjust parts and respond to a supply chain crisis that has hit other automakers hard.

How is Tesla different from other automakers?

Compared to many competitors who rely on car suppliers, Tesla has more autonomy in hardware design and software writing. A Tesla insider said: "We designed the circuit board ourselves, which allowed us to quickly modify the design to accommodate different alternative chips. ”

Much of the complex software for Tesla electric cars is written by the company's engineers. Tesla independently designs chips for assisted driving systems and manufactures components such as seats and batteries; The company also has its own network of direct sales, services and charging.

Ceo Musk said: "Compared to other automakers, we have much more independent design and manufacturing, and they rely more on automotive suppliers. Ambrose Conroy, CEO of supply chain consultancy Seraph Consulting, also said: "They (Tesla) have a degree of control over the car that no other automaker wants to do."

How is Tesla responding to the global chip shortage?

Tesla has told some of its customers that the electric cars delivered to them will lack Bluetooth chips, USB ports and other components. In addition, Tesla has eliminated some features on electric vehicles, such as radar sensors and lumbar spine support for front passenger seats, which makes the manufacture of electric vehicles less complicated.

In addition, Tesla has also raised the price of its electric vehicles to solve the problem of rising costs, including components. Musk has said Tesla will also be able to provide an alternative to some of the chips that are in short supply. Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess has also called Tesla's ability to rewrite software in 2-3 weeks to support alternative chips impressive.

At a time when other automakers are suffering from chip shortages, Tesla doesn't seem to be as embarrassed as they are. The reason is that when many automakers cut chip orders in 2020 due to the blow of the epidemic and lockdown measures on car demand, Tesla expects to achieve rapid growth and therefore does not cut chip orders. An executive at a Tesla supplier said: "Tesla is smarter than other companies in terms of ensuring there is a buffer inventory. ”

In addition, Kevin Anderson, chief consultant at Write-Tek, said Tesla's direct ties to chip suppliers have made it grow faster than traditional automakers, which rely more on Tier 1 suppliers with ties to chipmakers.