TOM KRISHER
AP Auto Writer
DETROIT (AP) — Record electric vehicle sales in the fourth quarter helped to push Tesla Inc. to its second-straight quarterly profit, giving bullish investors optimism that sustained black ink lies ahead.
The Palo Alto, California, company said it made a $105 million net profit from October through December, or 56 cents per share, but still posted an annual loss of $862 million.
The fourth-quarter earnings continued Tesla's meteoric stock appreciation. Shares rose nearly 12% in after-hours trading Wednesday to $648.50
The company said in its quarterly investor letter that it is starting to ramp up production of the Model Y small SUV in Fremont, California. The Model Y is a key product for Tesla's future because consumers are buying smaller utility vehicle