$EXCERPT/ Amazon.com represents a classic case of
Post# of 2218
Moreover, Amazon turned itself into a top-of-mind brand, a la Alphabet Inc’s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google. That’s more important than most investors realize.
Amazon’s heft has been enough to damage Macy’s Inc (NYSE:M), J C Penney Company Inc (NYSE:JCP) and Sears Holdings Corp (NASDAQ:SHLD). Even Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE:WMT) has not been immune to the challenges. And that’s not to mention the brick-and-mortar retailers that have already disappeared or are in the midst of bankruptcy reorganization.
Tesla is a disruptive force, but it doesn’t have quite the same advantages of Amazon.
Ford and GM, as well as the rest of the automotive world, is spending big on their own innovation efforts, which while slower still were in gear while Tesla was making its name. Some of these operators might even gain access to tech from firms such as Alphabet, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), which should help them catch up even faster.
A study from Navigant Research concludes that TSLA is actually ranked 12 out of 18 in the self-driving industry. A key reason for this is that the company’s manufacturing operations have yet to be tested at scale. So while Tesla might be the first name in electric vehicles, it’s not the leader in the clubhouse for another game-changing driving trend.