Juggling Dynamite

400,000 x 35k is $1.4 billion in orders for the Tesla Model 3 in less than a month. Apparently people are keen on an affordable electric car…who could’a seen that one coming, eh?

Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors has received almost 400,000 orders for its latest car, the model 3 sedan, its CEO said on Thursday.

“We are now almost at 400,000 orders for the model 3,” Elon Musk told a conference held in the Norwegian capital. He added that the interest in the model had “surprised even us”.

And about that solar revolution, it’s now doubling its capacity every two years, see  Kurzweil predicts solar industry dominance in 12 years:

Ray Kurzweil is known for inventing things, wanting to live forever, The Singularity and – of relevance in this article – Exponential Growth of technology, like solar power. Recently, during a medical device presentation, Kurzweil reiterated his predictions that solar power will continue to double its global capacity every two years and six more times in the next twelve years. Some charts look suspiciously like they’re shooting upward just ahead of his predicted pace.

This CBC news article is about the negative cash flows eating away at many condo investors today, but its also a perfect summary of the past 5 years of Central Bank enticed speculation that has swept through global asset markets:

“When times are booming [debt/leverage levels increasing], many people begin to decrease the amount of due diligence and planning they undertake before jumping into an investment or speculative purchase… All it takes is a downturn in the economy like we’re getting now…and all of a sudden instead of a cash-flow positive investment, you’ve got a millstone around your neck basically.”

Few people can afford to hold for long, assets with negative carrying costs, or assets that fall in capital value much more than any income received.  This is a universal timeless truth the world over.  It is also why indiscriminate buyers become indiscriminate sellers before each investment cycle completes, every time.  See:  Calgary’s condo surplus during slump tough on investment property owners.

Danielle was a guest with Kerry Lutz on The Financial Survival Network talking about recent developments in the world economy and markets.  You can listen to an audio clip of the segment here.