Check out the current tech trending topics—the whole internet is having a field day mocking Tesla.

Flying cars dismissed as a mere gimmick (Trending #1), Musk facing challenges from industry peers (Trending #3, #7), Market value plummets by $62 billion in 5 days (Trending #2). Media outlets seem all too eager to label Musk a 'fraud.'

After reading these one-sided articles, I can't help but feel a sense of melancholy.

Since when did our tech media become so myopic?

1. Don’t Underestimate a Visionary’s 8-Year Journey, and Avoid Being Short-Sighted

Everyone is ridiculing flying cars as nothing more than a PPT concept. Yet, many seem to have forgotten that in 2018, when Musk first proposed integrating SpaceX's cryogenic propulsion system into the Roadster, the entire internet laughed, believing he had lost his mind.

Eight years have elapsed. Today, this second-generation Roadster, even if it can't legally take to the streets and can only ascend briefly, has indeed brought SpaceX's propulsion technology to four wheels.

You may argue it's impractical or not as user-friendly as domestic new energy vehicles with their 'fridge, TV, and spacious sofas.' However, in terms of technological breakthroughs, they have indeed made significant strides.

We are accustomed to mocking those who gaze at the stars, deeming them foolish. But if we lack the patience to observe for eight years and only focus on the current $62 billion loss in market value, that's not being clear-headed—that's being short-sighted.

In a few days, if capital spins a new narrative or some institution releases a bullish research report, Tesla's stock price might rebound sharply. By then, how will those media outlets that joined the mocking bandwagon explain themselves?

2. Listen to the Insights of Domestic Industry Leaders: Not Stubborn, but Pragmatic

Compared to the 'group mocking' frenzy of some domestic media, the reactions of domestic auto industry leaders are more forward-thinking.

XPeng Motors Chairman He Xiaopeng shared a video on his social media, describing it as a 'very cool alternative form of flying car.' However, he quickly brought the discussion back to reality: 'Whether the product can be realized depends on factors like flight safety and parameters, not to mention flight certification (TC, etc.), which requires extensive global efforts.'

NIO founder Li Bin, who boldly challenged Tesla eight years ago by saying, 'We have everything Tesla has,' this time straightforwardly posted: 'Too impressive! We really don't have this. Kudos to Tesla.'

This is the mindset of top entrepreneurs. They don't blindly follow the crowd or stubbornly persist. They acknowledge others' strengths while diligently working on their own low-altitude economy and certifications. He Xiaopeng hopes for 'faster certification speeds' because XPeng's own flying car has already secured over 7,000 orders and is poised for mass production.

You see, real competitors are focusing on underlying technological breakthroughs and standard-setting, while onlookers are still smugly debating 'whether it can legally take to the streets.'

3. But Arrogance Will Eventually Backfire

Do you think I'm defending Musk? Think again.

I caution against blindly hyping this up because Tesla's current challenges lie not in the skies but on the ground.

Take a look at Trending #11: 'Tesla's rear control arm replacement is alarming.'

This is Tesla's most critical crisis at the moment. They're drawing the most futuristic blueprints in the sky while compromising on the rear control arm—a vital component for family safety. No matter how high the flying car soars, it can't conceal the shoddiness of their core car manufacturing.

As Gene Munster, partner at Wall Street investment firm Deepwater Asset Management, stated: 'This is just engineering showmanship. Apart from embarrassing traditional automakers, it has no commercial value.' Capital markets don't care about flashy demonstrations; they only focus on mass production timelines (2028) and actual returns.

4. Who Will Be Exposed in the Next 8 Years?

Our new energy vehicles are indeed impressive now, outselling Tesla. But if all our automakers compete solely on smoother infotainment systems and plusher interiors while abandoning seemingly absurd underlying innovations, that's the real crisis. Eight years ago, no one believed in electric vehicles—Musk built them anyway. Today, no one believes in flying cars.

If you mock him today, let's make a bet with time. Eight years from now, if flying cars truly become mainstream, I hope those who called me a 'Tesla fanboy' in the comments will come back to apologize. If in eight years Tesla still can't even manufacture a decent rear control arm and gets completely overtaken by Chinese automakers, then I was blind.

Don’t just focus on daily fluctuations. Tech trends have always favored those with a long-term perspective.

What do you think? Are flying cars truly impractical, or are we mocking the future with our short-sightedness? Let's discuss in the comments.

#Mao Qiying's AI Circle #Tesla #FlyingCar #Musk #He Xiaopeng