Here’s Why Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA) Is A Different Beast Now: Ben Kallo

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) should not be judged based on the same criteria as any other car manufacturer with an interest in electric vehicles is judged, Ben Kallo implies in a discussion with Andrew Ross Sorkin on CNBC.

According to the senior research analyst at R.W. Baird, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is different in multiple ways. Take for example the recent discussion about why falling gas prices may dash the hopes of the company. Kallo agrees with some industry observers that lower fuel costs will not dampen the demand for cars made by Elon Musk’s company.

“We don’t think that demand will be impacted by gasoline prices right now. […] The car’s average selling price is around $90,000. We don’t think consumers are really penciling out gas savings in their purchases. More are buying the car for its performance, its reliability and for the brand,” Kallo said.

Furthermore, he noted that Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) cars like the Model S have ascended into being aspirational vehicles.

He also said that Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) should be put in a different category all of its own among the world’s car makers.

“I think because of the technology that underlines the company, and the range of advancement that it has, that it is put in a separate category. I [also] think that Tesla has built this cult around its buyers where it’s really become that aspirational vehicle,” he said.

He noted Consumer Reports’ high rating for the company plus the fact that his firm observes people buying Tesla cars for their performance and luxury. Furthermore, Kallo also said that the price of oil is not really a factor for the company even though it could be considered a battery company. It’s not a correlated factor, he said.

Jim Simons’ Renaissance Technologies reported owning 233,700 shares of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) by the end of the third quarter of the year.