Part 3/12:
Tangler emphasizes that Tesla’s unique advantage over traditional automakers lies in its foundational approach to technology and data. A key insight from automotive consultant Adrian Balfour, featured in her recent macro-micro analysis, is that legacy manufacturers are forced to retrofit existing vehicles to mimic Tesla's capabilities, a process that leaves them perpetually behind.
Tesla’s data accumulation, especially around full self-driving (FSD), is virtually impossible for competitors to replicate due to proprietary datasets and neural network training. She describes this as an insurmountable barrier, asserting that Tesla’s integrated software-hardware ecosystem—bolstered by AI and robotics—gives it a near-monopoly in auto autonomy.