Mar 20, 2025Business Technology154 words1 min read

Is Tesla in trouble?

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Listen to the story (Hong Kong accent)

Tesla’s worth went down 40% since January.

Elon Musk is the CEO of Tesla. He lost $121 billion.

Last year, Tesla sold less cars around the world. This year is worse for Tesla. Banks say that Tesla will not sell many cars this year.

In China, Tesla has problems. Other car companies are better. Last month, Tesla sold 49% less cars in China.

In Germany, Tesla sold 76% less cars last month. People in Germany do not like what Musk says about politics.

BYD, a Chinese car company, made a new car. It charges very fast. It can drive for 400 km after five minutes of charging. Tesla charges slower.

In the USA, Tesla still sells the most EVs. But other companies are improving.

Some people who liked Tesla are worried now. They do not like what Elon Musk says and what he does. He is too busy with other jobs to help Tesla.

Vocabulary11 words

Worth: how much something is valued, like money; the value that something has; how much someone will pay for something; how much or how hard someone will try to get something
CEO (Chief Executive officer): the top person in a large company; president; boss
Billion: 1,000,000,000 = one-billion
Less: Not as much; the opposite of “more”; littler; smaller
Around the world: worldwide; in many places in the world; in many countries
Worse: Not as good as something else; “more bad”; the opposite of “better”
Politics: the activities of the government or politicians; the art or science of government
Charge: to fill a battery; to give power or energy to a battery; ??
Electric vehicle (EV): A car or truck that runs only on electricity ⚡, not gasoline.
Improve: to make something better; to get better
Worried: Feeling nervous or concerned

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Tesla’s worth _____ down 40% since January.

Elon Musk is the _____ of Tesla. He lost $_____ billion.

Last year, Tesla sold less _____ around the world. This year is worse for Tesla. _____ say that Tesla will not sell many cars this _____.

In China, Tesla has _____. Other car companies are better. Last _____, Tesla sold 49% less cars in _____.

In Germany, Tesla sold _____% less cars last month. People in Germany do not like _____ Musk says about politics.

BYD, a _____ car company, made a new car. It _____ very fast. It can drive for _____ km after five minutes of charging. Tesla _____ slower.

In the USA, Tesla _____ sells the most EVs. But other companies are _____.

Some people who _____ Tesla are worried now. They do not like what Elon Musk _____ and what he does. He is too busy with other _____ to help Tesla.