BRIEF-S&P Says Tesla Inc. Upgraded To 'BB+' On Solid Demand Prospects And Robust Financial Metrics; Outlook Positive

Oct 22 (Reuters) - S&P:

* S&P SAYS TESLA INC. UPGRADED TO 'BB+' ON SOLID DEMAND PROSPECTS AND ROBUST FINANCIAL METRICS; OUTLOOK POSITIVE

* S&P, ON TESLA, SAYS POSITIVE OUTLOOK REFLECTS OUR VIEW THAT TESLA'S FREE OPERATING CASH FLOW GENERATION WILL REMAIN POSITIVE MORE CONSISTENTLY

* S&P SAYS DESPITE SEMICONDUCTOR SHORTAGES, OTHER SUPPLY-RELATED BOTTLENECKS, TESLA APPEARS TO HAVE MINIMIZED PRODUCTION DISRUPTION VERSUS MOST AUTOMAKERS

* S&P SAYS VIEW ON TESLA ALSO REFLECTS OUTPERFORMANCE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES $(EVS.AU)$ SO FAR THIS YEAR GLOBALLY

* S&P SAYS KEY RISKS GOING FORWARD INCLUDE ACCESS TO SUPPLY AS TESLA LOOKS TO RAISE CELL CAPACITY AND COMPLETE ITS PRODUCTION RAMP-UP TO MEET DEMAND

* S&P SAYS DESPITE NEAR-TERM SUPPLY BOTTLENECKS FOR THE INDUSTRY, WE EXPECT TESLA DELIVERIES AND EARNINGS TO REMAIN STRONG OVER THE NEXT FEW QUARTERS

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((Reuters.Briefs@thomsonreuters.com;))