WallStSmart

Lithia Motors Inc (LAD)vsTesla Inc (TSLA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Tesla Inc generates 173% more annual revenue ($103.62B vs $37.94B). TSLA leads profitability with a 3.7% profit margin vs 1.9%. LAD appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.80. LAD earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 61/100 (C+).

LAD

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 5.0Value: 7.3Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 2.38

TSLA

Avoid

31

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 5.3Profit: 4.0Value: 2.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.45
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

LADUndervalued (+12.2%)

Margin of Safety

+12.2%

Fair Value

$364.72

Current Price

$375.63

$10.91 discount

UndervaluedFair: $364.72Overvalued
TSLASignificantly Overvalued (-23.5%)

Margin of Safety

-23.5%

Fair Value

$260.29

Current Price

$328.58

$68.29 premium

UndervaluedFair: $260.29Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LAD3 strengths · Avg: 8.7/10
Price/BookValuation
1.3x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

PEG RatioValuation
0.808/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
12.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

TSLA3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$1.29T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Debt/EquityHealth
0.119/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Revenue GrowthGrowth
25.5%8/10

Revenue surging 25.5% year-over-year

Areas to Watch

LAD4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
2.2%4/10

2.2% revenue growth

Profit MarginProfitability
1.9%3/10

1.9% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
4.6%3/10

Operating margin of 4.6%

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

TSLA4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
Price/BookValuation
14.7x4/10

Trading at 14.7x book value

Return on EquityProfitability
4.4%3/10

ROE of 4.4% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

3.7% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
1.4%3/10

Operating margin of 1.4%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : LAD

The strongest argument for LAD centers on Price/Book, PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio. PEG of 0.80 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : TSLA

The strongest argument for TSLA centers on Market Cap, Debt/Equity, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 25.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : LAD

The primary concerns for LAD are Revenue Growth, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Debt-to-equity of 2.53 is elevated, increasing financial risk. Thin 1.9% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : TSLA

The primary concerns for TSLA are Price/Book, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 300.3x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 3.7% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LAD profiles as a value stock while TSLA is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

TSLA carries more volatility with a beta of 1.83 — expect wider price swings.

TSLA is growing revenue faster at 25.5% — sustainability is the question.

LAD generates stronger free cash flow (-206M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LAD scores higher overall (61/100 vs 31/100). Both earn "Buy" and "Avoid" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Lithia Motors Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · AUTO & TRUCK DEALERSHIPS · USA

Lithia Motors, Inc. is an automobile retailer in the United States. The company is headquartered in Medford, Oregon.

Tesla Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · AUTO MANUFACTURERS · USA

Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company based in Palo Alto, California. Tesla's current products include electric cars, battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar panels and solar roof tiles, as well as other related products and services. In 2020, Tesla had the highest sales in the plug-in and battery electric passenger car segments, capturing 16% of the plug-in market (which includes plug-in hybrids) and 23% of the battery-electric (purely electric) market. Through its subsidiary Tesla Energy, the company develops and is a major installer of solar photovoltaic energy generation systems in the United States. Tesla Energy is also one of the largest global suppliers of battery energy storage systems, with 3 GWh of battery storage supplied in 2020.

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