US electric carmaker Tesla has announced it will cut about 9 percent of its global workforce to enhance profitability. CEO Elon Musk insisted that Model 3 production would not be affected by the move.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. Sokolow
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Chief Executive Elon Musk said Tuesday his company was cutting some 9 percent of jobs across the company.
Tesla's latest annual filing last December showed it had 37,543 full-time employees.
"These cuts were entirely from our salaried population and no production associates were included, so this will not affect our ability to reach Model 3 production targets in the coming months."
The CEO announced the company was also cutting a sales agreement with US retailer Home Depot.
No German cars among top-selling all-electric vehicles
Sales of hybrid and all-electric cars surged last year to 3.79 million, marking a 28-percent jump and accounting for a 4.4- percent overall market share. Here are the five best-selling all-electric vehicles of 2017.
Image: imago/A. Prost
Crossover SUV in 5th place
Tesla sold 33,000 units of its Model X in 2017, according to data from UK-based market researcher JATO Dynamics. That puts the mid-sized luxury car with falcon wing doors in 5th position in the list of last year's best-selling fully electric cars.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Pedersen
Tiny and a bit whimsical, but ...
...successful nonetheless was the Zotye Zhidou (ZD) from China. Some 42,000 units of the model were shipped last year, with the tiny vehicles becoming increasingly popular in the Asian nation where affordablility can be a universal selling point.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/Hao Xiqing
Turning over a new leaf
Japanese carmaker Nissan introduced its Nissan Leaf back in 2010, banking on e-mobility at an early stage. The five-door hatchback proved the third most sold all-electric vehicle in 2017 (46,000 units). Leaf batteries can be charged to 80-percent capacity in 30 minutes.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Harms
Where acceleration matters
Tesla Model S cars are able to pick up speed very rapidly thanks to their all-electric powertrain technology. The vehicle features autopilot capabilities, making driving safer and less stressful. Some 47,000 people bought the Model S last year — only one model reached even more buyers.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Woitas
And the winner is ...
...China's BAIC EC. The compact electric city vehicle has fared well especially in its home market due to its trendy design and an improved range of 200 kilometers (125 miles) per charge. A record 78,000 units left the showrooms in 2017.
