Elon Musk will face a key challenge during Tesla's Investor Day on March 1: Convincing investors that even if competitors are catching up, Tesla can take another leap to extend its lead.。

According to an analysis of global and regional electric vehicle sales data provided by the media, Tesla is the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer in 2022, but Chinese automaker BYD and other companies are rapidly closing the gap。

But in fact, BYD surpassed Tesla in electric vehicle sales in the Asia-Pacific region last year, becoming the "top seller," and Volkswagen Group has been the leader of electric vehicles in Europe since 2020.。While Tesla has narrowed Volkswagen's lead in Europe, the US automaker has relinquished its position in the Asia-Pacific region and its home market as competition intensifies.。

Tesla's biggest challenges come from established automakers and a group of Chinese electric car makers。Over the next two years, competitors including General Motors, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Volkswagen will launch dozens of new electric vehicles, from Chevrolets priced at less than $30,000 to luxury cars and SUVs priced at more than $100,000.。

On Wednesday, local time, Mercedes gave a long speech in Silicon Valley for Beijing, focusing on how Mercedes' subsequent models will immerse owners in a wealth of entertainment and more distinctive content, delivered mainly through a "super screen" that runs through the dashboard.。In addition, the executives also emphasized that only Mercedes currently has an advanced level 3 partial autopilot system, which has been approved for use in Germany and awaits approval in California。

In the Chinese market, Tesla has had to lower the prices of its best-selling models under competitive pressure from BYD, Geely's Zeekr brand, and domestic automakers such as NIO, Ideal, and Xiaopeng.。And if Chinese battery maker Ningde Times continues its plan to significantly reduce car battery prices, domestic electric car makers could get another boost as a result.。

Musk has said he will use the March 1 investor event to develop "Master Plan Part III" for Tesla.。In the nearly seven years since Musk published "Master Plan Part II" in July 2016, Tesla has led established automakers as well as start-up electric vehicle companies in the most important areas of electric vehicle design, digital capabilities and manufacturing.。

In the nearly seven years since Musk published "Master Plan Part Deux (Part II)" in July 2016, Tesla has led established automakers and electric vehicle startups in the most important areas of electric vehicle design, digital functions and manufacturing.。Tesla's vehicles at the time provided features that other vehicles lacked, such as Tesla's ability to automatically drive into parking spaces in parking lots.。

Today, Tesla's "fully autonomous driving beta" autonomous driving technology is still listed by the company and U.S. federal regulators as a Level 2 driver assistance system, which requires human drivers to be ready to control the vehicle at any time.。Earlier this month, Tesla also received a "recall order" from U.S. federal regulators, forcing Tesla to modify its fully autonomous driving (FSD) software.。

Tesla has established a broad leadership position with its competitors in manufacturing technology. Tesla's then-novel vertically integrated battery and vehicle production machines helped achieve higher profit margins than most established automakers。Now, Tesla's competitors are copying the company's manufacturing techniques, such as buying some of the same equipment Tesla uses.。Among them is IDRA, an Italian company that makes large die-casting machines that can complete large, one-piece casting jobs that are the cornerstone of Tesla cars, which the company says is currently receiving orders from other automakers besides Tesla.。

"Manufacturing technology will be our most important long-term competitive advantage.。Musk told analysts in January.。But when asked if Tesla can pass the U.S. 2.Musk is vague when selling cars for $50,000 to $30,000 and making money。

Musk told investors that Tesla can maintain its leadership in electric vehicle manufacturing costs. The company has promised investors that they will see Tesla's most advanced production line at an Investor Day event on March 1。