In closing trade, Tesla shares skidded 8.9 percent to $305.50 following the publication of the interview with The New York Times.

Musk opened up to the newspaper about the personal toll he says he has endured, working marathon hours trying to ensure that deadlines are met, with Tesla ramping up production of its crucial Model 3 sedan.

“There were times when I didn’t leave the factory for three or four days — days when I didn’t go outside,” Musk said.

“This past year has been the most difficult and painful year of my career. It was excruciating.”

Musk also revealed he needed to take prescription medication to sleep during the latest ordeals, and disclosed he had approached Facebook’s chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg about becoming his number two at Tesla.

The brash South African-born entrepreneur also sought to explain his tweet earlier this month about taking Tesla private, which has drawn scrutiny from regulators.

He explained that the August 7 tweet claiming assurance that funding for going private was secured was an attempt to be transparent, even though it provoked questions from analysts about whether it violated stock market regulations.

He and other board members are preparing to meet with Securities and Exchange Commission officials as early as next week, the Times said.

Musk acknowledged that no one read his Twitter post before he sent it, but insisted he did not regret it.

“Why would I?” he said.

‘He is one guy’

Musk, who envisions sending tourists to the Moon with his private firm SpaceX and has unveiled ambitious plans for high-speed trains and other projects, is recognized as one of the most influential innovators in the United States.

But he has appeared to fray under the pressure in recent months.

“Part of the issue from my perspective is focus,” said Roger Kay, an analyst and consultant with Endpoint Technologies Associates.

“He is one guy and he has multiple companies. Any one of those requires the full attention of the CEO.”

Kay said the comments on his personal issues “is not going to get him any sympathy,” but added: “It’s not a question of whether he is likable, what matters is whether he can function.”

The analyst noted that “there isn’t anyone currently who can pick up the slack for him (as a number two). But he needs to get that person in place pretty quick.”

Art Hogan, chief market strategist for B. Riley FBR, said the interview “did not improve the image of the company or the CEO,” while adding to uncertainty about Tesla’s future.

“If we say we simply remove Elon Musk from the situation, I don’t know if that does much good. I don’t know what the bench looks like behind him,” Hogan said.

Tesla’s future

Tesla produced slightly more than 100,000 vehicles last year and the company has been struggling to boost production of its Model 3, which is less expensive than its first models and could help expand Tesla’s base.

On the physical toll his job is taking, Musk said: “It’s not been great, actually. I’ve had friends come by who are really concerned.”

He described spending every hour of his 47th birthday in June at work and almost missing his brother’s wedding.

On Monday, Musk explained in a blog post that his much-scrutinized statements about financing were based on his conversations with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and other investors.

If delisted, Tesla could operate without requirements for financial reports and other pressures of a publicly traded firm. However, it could also lose visibility and limit its ability to raise capital.

Musk told the Times that board members had not complained to him about his tweet.

But the paper said he later told them through a spokesperson that Antonio Gracias, Tesla’s lead independent director, had in fact contacted him to discuss the Twitter post.

Musk added he had agreed not to tweet again about taking the firm private unless he had discussed it with the board.

The tycoon has caused controversy by turning to his Twitter following of more than 22 million to vent frustrations in recent months.

In one bizarre moment in July, Musk labeled a British caver a “pedo” — or pedophile — after the rescuer dismissed the Tesla chief’s idea for bringing 12 trapped Thai boys to safety in a miniature submarine.

This  year, Mazda hasn’t introduced any all-new models, but that hasn’t stopped the Japanese manufacturer from registering a thundering 44 per cent growth in sales for the first seven months of 2018.

The facelifted Mazda2 and Mazda3 launched earlier this year, along with the new CX-5 introduced late last year, and even the BT-50 PRO pickup truck, all enjoyed growth, reflecting the rising popularity of the Mazda brand in the Kingdom.

The only Mazda model that saw sales falling during this period is the CX-3 subcompact crossover, with unit sales from January to July sliding by 14 per cent.

But that’s about to change for the better, because the facelifted model, which Mazda calls 2018 Collection, is here.

The 2018 CX-3 gets a good deal of improvements considering that it’s a mid-life upgrade, and this reflects how competitive the automobile market has become these days.

In front, the radiator grille has a lower number of vents and the chrome bar design has changed both in the front and at the side. The black pillars, fog lamp bezels and side garnish are now glossy and look more luxurious, while the new 18-inch alloy wheels also give the CX-3 a more serious appearance. The rear combination lamps are now LEDs, and still appear like they are staring at you with a bit of an attitude.

The interior doesn’t have much space as this is a subcompact, but some of the changes are impressive. While the old dashboard and console design theme has been maintained, the whole centre console has been removed and replaced with one from the Mazda3. The mechanical handbrake lever has also been eliminated, being replaced with an electric switch, resulting in added usable space between the front seats.

Black suede on the console looks and feels great (make sure you don’t spill drinks on them), and the quality of the materials used in the CX-3 has been picked carefully.

Mazda says that the suspension has been re-tuned to offer more comfort, which I think could be what many of the customers wanted, although the engines deliver the same amount of power and torque.

There are two engine choices for the CX-3. The top model is the 1.5-litre turbo diesel with 105hp and 270Nm, while the 2.0-litre petrol version, pumps out 156hp and 204Nm.

Actually I drove both versions, the Skyactiv-G on the way out to Khao Yai, and the Skyactiv-D on the way back. They are totally different in character and while the petrol engine comes with a large number of trim levels for customers to choose from, the diesel, available in only one trim, proves to be the superior performer. You feel much more in control of the vehicle with the high-torque slugger, and can go as fast without having to sweat it out like the high-revving petrol motor.

The 2018 CX-3 also gets the improved i-ACTIVSENSE package consisting of lane departure warning, advanced blind spot monitoring (standard across the range), rear cross traffic alert (standard across the range), and a new 360-degree around-view monitor. There are eight parking sensors around the vehicle and the driver can choose which type of view he or she prefers.

There are also intelligent pre-collision systems and cruise control, as well as driver drowsiness alert.

While the quality of the materials and the design of the interior appears to be stylish and upmarket, the sporty exterior design has forced out much of the interior space. The compact cabin results in little legroom both front and rear, and the luggage compartment is pretty small too. Those who need space should be looking elsewhere, for example the Honda HR-V.

But for those who are more interested in styling than loading capacity, the CX-3 remains a highly attractive small crossover that oozes with emotions.

While prices of the lower models have been increased slightly, the top petrol model carries the same retail pricing (Bt1.045 million) and the diesel version even comes with a Bt4,000 discount (Bt1.155 million retail price), making them more attractive for the customer who’s willing to go all the way.

Unfortunately, there is just only one diesel option, so if you want to pay under Bt1 million, there are only petrol versions to consider, with prices starting at Bt835,000.

Mazda CX-3 2.0 SP

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve

Displacement: 1,998cc

Bore and stroke: 83.5×91.2mm

Compression ratio: 14.0:1

Max power: 156ps/6,000rpm

Max torque: 204Nm/2,800rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Ratios: 3.552/2.022/1.452/1.000/0.708/0.599

Average fuel economy: 16.4km/l

CO2: 145g/km

Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, stabilizer/torsion beam

Steering: electrically-powered rack and pinion

Turning circle: 10.6 metres

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/disc

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,275

Width: 1,765

Height: 1,550

Wheelbase: 2,570

Track (f/r): 1,525/1,520

Weight: 1,231kgs

Wheels: 18-in alloy

Tyres: 215/50 R18

Fuel tank capacity: 48 litres

Price: Bt1.045 million

Distributor: Mazda Sales Thailand Co Ltd

Jaruay Khanmanee, president of Yanyont Square Group Co Ltd, publisher of the Yanyont-Naklengrot-Naklengrot Kraba-Motorcycle magazines and organiser of the BIG Motor Sale 2018, said: “Consumers will have the opportunity to select and test drive outstanding vehicles from each brand at the show and there will also be lots of additional events and educational talks by gurus in the automobile scene, plus interesting CSR activities,” he said.

The Bt100 ticket includes a grand raffle ticket with a prize of a Bt1.2 million Isuzu Hi-Lander 1.9 Ddi Blue Power Z-Prestige and a Yamaha MT-07.”

Participating are Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MG, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rolls-Royce, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and Volvo. Motorcycle companies are Aprilia, Benelli, BMW, Ducati, Hanway, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Peuget, Ryuka, Royal Enfield, Scomadi, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa and Yamaha.

Mitsubishi is launching its Expander, the seven-seat MPV that set a sales record of 60,000 in Indonesia during the first year, while Nissan will highlight the Terra PPV that was launched on Thursday.

The Expander has been highly successful in Indonesia where it is produced, with sales of over 60,000 vehicles during the first year.

It is powered by a 1.5-litre engine capable of developing 105 horsepower.

Highlights include leather-faced seats for seven people, 4.2-inch TFT colour LCD multi-information screen with 3D animation, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, cruise control and 6.2-inch touch-screen monitor.

The company claims it will be the first to run a taxi service with electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand. It has 101 vehicles ready for the service launch on September 9.

After signing a cooperation agreement to promote electric cars from Chinese manufacturer BYD, Sorayut Phettakul, director of EV Society Co Ltd, said that the company expects lower administrative costs through the use of electric vehicles (EVs), given the absence of petroleum-based fuels.

Sorayut said corporate investment in EVs was in line with the government’s attempt to push Thailand towards the state’s Energy 4.0 vision.

In the initial phase, the company will start with the 101 taxis and invest about Bt200 million to establish a maintenance and repair centre and battery charging points in the areas around Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Next year, the number of the company’s electric taxis will reach 1,000 and it will join with Energy Absolute (EA) to add charging points at 30 Susco service stations under the cooperation agreement.

Apichat Leenutaphong, managing director of electric vehicle importer Rizen Energy Co Ltd, said that the company started importing EVs last year, drawn to the growth potential.

Using EVs will see an average maintenance and repair cost of Bt0.90 per kilometre, compared with the Bt1.50 per kilometre for a regular car, he said. The fuel cost of EVs averages Bt0.70 per kilometre, against the Bt2.50 per kilometre for a regular car.

Apichat predicts that major carmakers will start making more EVs in the next four to five years and that Thais will respond well to the 50 per cent-plus fuel savings and likely tax support.

Liu Xueliang, general manager of the BYD Asia Pacific auto sales division, said that Thailand is its major market in Asean and if demand rises consistently, the Chinese carmaker would consider setting up a plant in the country.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority has already imported BYD’s electric vehicles. The Chinese carmaker is in discussions with Loxley to bid for a Bangkok Mass Transit Authority project that would see the authority buy electric buses.

Sanit Promwong, director-general of Department of Land Transport (DLT), said after the signing that the department has a policy to promote the use of public cars running on alternative energy sources, while also seeking to upgrade safety standards.

Under the private-sector cooperation, BYD e6 vehicles will be used as taxis and the fares will start at Bt150 for the first two kilometres, with Bt16 per kilometre thereafter. Passengers can pay with credit cards or cash.

Yossapong Laoonual, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, said: “This cooperation is believed to help support the Ministry of Energy’s plan, which targets having 1.2 million EVs in 2036. It will also help the public sector to stimulate the use of EVs, whose prices are relatively high, with tax incentives.”

Nissan Motor Thailand (NMT) Co Ltd president Antoine Barthes said at the launch of the new model in Bangkok yesterday that the Terra, which is based on the Navara pickup truck platform, will attract a large number of new customers.

“The Terra is a new product to take us to a new area of the market,” he said. “We (Nissan) is coming with a ‘striking proposal’ for our customers with a vehicle that is perfect in the city and outside.”

While Nissan already has the X-Trail, a SUV targeted at families with young children and priced above Bt1 million, the Terra will appeal to those looking for a higher level of adventure.

The Terra is priced at Bt1.316 million for the 2.3 V 7AT, Bt1.349 million for the 2.3 VL 7AT and Bt1.427 million for the 2.3 VL 4WD 7AT.

It comes with many of advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility System features, such as lane departure warning, blind spot warning and intelligent around view mirror with moving object detection.

Though the Terra made its debut in the Philippines with a model fitted with a 2.5-litre diesel turbo engine with 190hp and 450Nm, the Thai-spec Terra comes with an all-new 2.3-litre twin turbo diesel engine that produces the same power and torque, but lower fuel consumption and emissions.

Nissan’s combined production capacity in Thailand is 370,000 units per year. Apart from the Philippines and Thailand, the new model will also be offered in Indonesia and other Asean markets including Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

However, exports of the PPV could reach other markets, including Australia where Nissan already offers the Navara pickup truck from its Thai production hub.

“We already export the Navara to Australia and is looking at the possibilities for Terra,” he said. “Thailand is our production and export centre because of its high capability.”

In Thailand, Nissan also plans to introduce the LEAF electric car this fiscal year as well as the Note e-Power, which is an electric car that uses a gasoline-powered electric generator.

A statement from the Tesla board said directors had met “several times” to discuss the idea after Musk raised going private as a better solution for the automaker’s long-term growth.

The board “is taking the appropriate next steps to evaluate this,” the statement added.

Musk jolted markets Tuesday by announcing the proposal on Twitter and saying he could finance the buyout at a large premium to current valuation, at a price of $420 a share.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported Wednesday afternoon that the US Securities and Exchange Commission inquired whether Musk’s statements were factual and why the disclosure was made on Twitter rather than in a regulatory filing.

Companies can come under scrutiny for misleading statements, but the agency in 2013 said firms may use social media “to announce key information … so long as investors have been alerted about which social media will be used to disseminate such information.”

The SEC declined comment. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tesla shares, which surged 11 percent Tuesday on Musk’s statements, dropped 2.4 percent to close at $370.34 on Wednesday.

Many companies avoid releasing market-moving news during trading hours, but Musk floated the idea in an afternoon tweet and then elaborated in a series of responses to questions on the social network, before the company finally released a letter to employees with more details on the rationale.

Going private would liberate the company from the quarterly reporting cycle, allowing it to be “free from as much distraction and short-term thinking as possible,” Musk said in a blog post.

But legal experts and equity analysts said the announcement raised more questions about Musk, who has had prickly relations with Wall Street and has been involved in a number of controversies in recent months.

Is funding really ‘secured’?

Regulators are likely to scrutinize Musk’s statement that funding for the deal was “secured,” a factual statement that could be problematic if it is not true, said John Coffee, a Columbia Law School professor and expert on securities law.

“It’s very implausible” that funding has been secured “because you’re talking about an offer of maybe $73 billion,” Coffee said.

When companies undertake such transactions, the board of directors typically form a committee to study the idea and consult investment bankers on a fair price.

Musk “can’t go much longer without discussing what the funding was, or qualifying or amending his statement,” said Coffee said, adding that Musk could be exposed to deep liability from investors who lost money because of his announcement.

Meanwhile, equity analysts generally reacted skeptically to the idea of taking the automaker private. Cowen said the proposal raised many questions, such as how the company will raise needed capital to execute its manufacturing ramp-up.

“It is obvious to see how such a transaction would benefit a CEO who has been very distracted by social media and is focused on ‘burning shorts,'” Cowen said.

However, “we question how remaining investors would benefit from a less liquid structure in which management receives far less scrutiny despite its historically poor execution and track record.”

JPMorgan Chase also noted the scant details in the proposal and questioned whether Tesla profits would match its lofty forecasts given that rival auto companies may be able to offer electric cars at lower price points that are subsidized with sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines.

But JPMorgan still estimated the odds that Tesla would go private as 50 percent, implying a higher valuation for Tesla shares than the analysts had been projecting.

Going private would take the company out of the quarterly reporting cycle, making it “free from as much distraction and short-term thinking as possible,” Musk said in a blog post.

Musk, who has depicted the quest to build up no-emissions electric cars as an environmental mission, said he viewed going public as “the best path forward,” but that a final decision had not been made and ultimately rested on shareholder support.

Shares finished up 11 percent at $379.57 after being suspended for about 90 minutes following a series of Musk statements on Twitter in which he initially floated the idea of going private.

Musk’s first tweet said funding was “secured” for a transaction that could value the company at $420 a share.

At that price, the Tesla transaction would be worth more than $71 billion.

A leveraged buyout of this size — one using debt — would eclipse by a wide margin the prior record, the purchase for utility TXU Corp. in 2007 by a consortium that included KKR and TPG for $44 billion.

Gains following the tweet added to upward movement on the stock after the Financial Times reported that a Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund had built a stake of between three and five percent in the company.

Musk’s tweet comes as Tesla faces continued pressure to ramp up output of the Model 3 sedan, its first effort at the middle market.

The billionaire Musk, who owns about 20 percent of the company, said a transaction would not “substantially” alter his stake and that he expected to continue to lead the company if it occurred.

Polarizing figure

Musk has previously discussed possibly going private as a means to realize long-term growth and accomplish a goal that some Tesla acolytes embrace with near-messianic passion.

Supporters of Musk and the company view him as a visionary akin to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, while critics have likened him to a “Wizard of Oz” like figure who has yet to turn a profit.

Tesla shareholder Quint Tatro, managing director of Joule Financial, praised the idea as “brilliant,” adding that “Musk is tired of dealing with all the challenges of being ‘public.'”

The South African-born Tesla chief has courted plenty of controversy.

Last month, he apologized for calling British caver Vernon Unsworth, who helped rescue 12 Thai boys from a cave, a “pedo” — short for pedophile — after Unsworth spoke dismissively of the Tesla chief’s proposal for bringing the boys to safety.

He has also had a prickly relationship with Wall Street, apologizing last week to equity analysts after refusing to answer questions on a May investor call.

Musk’s approach to a possible go-private transaction also went against the grain of many companies that release major news in non-trading hours.

By contrast, Musk made the initial comment on Twitter and then embellished on the remarks in a series of responses to users on the platform.

In its August 1 earnings release, Tesla confirmed output was on track after missing earlier benchmarks as it reported a bigger-than-expected loss.

Shares have rallied strongly since those earnings, but Musk has continued to show a short fuse towards critics, lambasting “short” sellers of Tesla shares — those who take bets that the stock will fall in value.

Following the company’s surge after last week’s earnings, Musk took aim again at a short-seller in a reported short YouTube video that likened these investors to Hitler’s last days.

Musk amplified this point Tuesday, saying on Twitter that going private “will be way smoother,” end “negative propaganda from shorts” and benefit shareholders.

“Am super appreciative of Tesla shareholders,” Musk said. “Will ensure their prosperity in any scenario.”