Tesla reveals three new EVs in production

Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk announced over the weekend that the car maker is planning to unveil a semi-truck in September, with an electric ute to follow in the next 18 to 24 months. Musk made the announcement on Twitter, saying the semi-truck is “seriously next level” and that his team has done an “amazing job.” As well as the semi-truck, Musk announced an electric ute will be unveiled in the 18 to 24 months. He also told the public that the next-generation Tesla roadster will be a convertible. It’s not the first time the Tesla CEO has unveiled company plans on social media. Musk first announced the entry-level Model 3 vehicle, currently in production, on his Twitter page in August 2014. Tesla is cruising on a wave of commercial and public goodwill following a boost in stock that saw it briefly eclipse GM as the most valuable car maker in the US last week and two successful rounds of share sales to raise capital. Despite its high capital valuation, the company has yet to turn a profit, and is expected to lose $1.37 billion this year, according to Reuters. The first Tesla showroom in New Zealand is set to open in Auckland in the middle of the year, and the first Model S vehicles officially sold in the country were delivered to owners in February. New Zealand EV sales have been growing rapidly, from 185 cars on the roads in January 2013 to a total 3120 in March 2017. Transport minister Simon Bridges said the numbers so far exceed yearly government targets.