What's up with Tesla?
Great looking carI don't know what to make of Tesla. While I've always respected Elon Musk's endeavor into electric vehicles, I've never fully bought into Tesla's business model, at least as far as EVs for the masses.
Today's press conference, however, was weird.
"What we really wanted to show the car industry is that it is possible to create a compelling electric car at a compelling price," Musk said. "We hope the industry will follow our lead?"
You mean like the Chevy Volt, which Musk claimed was too cost-ineffective, yet is cheaper than the Model S? Or, how about the numerous EVs expected by numerous automakers due out exactly when, or even before, Tesla starts actually producing these vehicles?
Certainly, the Roadster was a shot off the bow of the Big 3, but not the Model S. Quite honestly, the auto industry is going to quickly outsell the Model S as soon as Tesla actually starts selling this EV.
While I still commend Musk and Tesla on this incredible achievement, I can't help but feel this press event was about Fed funding more than anything, which I'll bet will be quickly followed by an IPO - not that there is anything wrong with that. Still....
Labels: tesla electric car, tesla model s
posted by Dahcredyns at
2:26 PM
9 Comments:
So, we finally get to see the Model S. It reminds me of the new Jaguar, especially the back. The Fisker Karma is so much sexier. The 3Q 2011 target date is probably a year after the Volt gen 1. Not fun.
And do I understand it correctly that Tesla uses essentially notebook battery cells strung together? The benefit being that notebook battery cells have high power density, which helps Tesla delivery their high acceleration? Kind of hokey if true.
The Tesla founders blog has also written about an effect where the Roadster will use it's battery while parked in a garage for days. Something about using battery power to maintain battery conditioning/temperature ranges.
I'm intrigued by the 17 inch touch screen on the Model S. No buttons! Fewer parts, simpler design, all good. However, simple knobs when done right are often easier to use than a touch screen and while driving...Not sure the screen is a winner. Sounds more like a shortcut in ergonomics design.
I hope Telsa gets the loan even with their issues. You can't deny they are innovating. They may turn out to be a Tucker or a DeLorean, but as technology develops they may be just nimble enough to catch an unexpected wave. They are certainly an example of Silicon Valley entrepreneurship and product focused development. Call them a farm team for future GM Volt engineers!
It IS a Jaguar. They do nothing but take coachworks from other makers and put it on their platform.
But the stupidity of this car is astounding. A 7 passenger car this big? WTF are these idiots thinking?
How about make a smaller car, 5 passengers, and price it for $35K or less?
Bunch if morons.
Noz,
Come on - you calling a man that has started and sold not one, but two multi-million dollar companies, started the most successful commercial space company to date, and what will undoubtedly turn out to be one of the top residential solar installation companies in the US a moron. Undoubtedly you have some talents, but picking "morons" certainly is not one of them.
If you think the Tesla Roadster is nothing more than a repackaged Lotus or this car a repackaged Jaguar, then you have no concept of what it takes to design an all electric car from scratch.
The 7 passenger capacity may not survive to the production model, but then again it may end up leading the way for a new trend in passenger car use by a generation younger than you.
lol. Tesla's newest output isn't that bad, I guess. But then again you have a point... The Chevy Volt is just as good and is kinda cheaper. Oh well, we could say they're riding the bandwagon, but maybe there's genuine interest from the Model S makers. We'll never know.
Energy I,
Have you ever used PayPal?
That's why I don't think highly of Musk or his company. Any firm built of shit customer service, a scam of a business model, and pathetically encrypted fees doesn't earn my respect.
But I digress. I do have a lot of understanding on how electric cars are packaged since I worked in that industry for a while. Believe me, I understand.
And again, the coachwork on these cars is borrowed...it's not from scratch.
7 passenger capacity is just ludicrous. Exactly what family are you thinking of in a day and age when family size should be encouraged to go DOWN? Not up.
The Chevy Volt still uses gasoline.
The Chevy Volt only runs 40 miles in EV mode.
The Chevy Volt only seats four.
The Tesla S seats 7..too many for me but much better than 4.
The S model travels up to 300 miles in EV mode...charges in 45 mins at a 480 volt outlet. Sweet.
The Tesla is infinitely more car than the Volt.
If you can afford a 40K Volt, odds are you can afford a 50K Tesla...
I can afford both but refuse to pay that much for an automobile!
I have seen other photos of the Model S in other sites and I think it's a sweet looking car no matter where Tesla got their inspiration from. It's a 5 + 2 but it's basically a 5-passenger car. The 2 jump seats in the trunk are nothing but a sale gimick. With the rear windshield in such severe slope, I can't see how you can accommodate any one comfortably in them, no matter what their size.
I can't tell the dimensions of the car from the photos but I am guessing that it's about the size of a Camry which I think is very practical and family friendly.
I would be happy with either the Model S or the Volt in my driveway, but would prefer the simplicity of the extended range feature of the Volt. I do not buy the argument of driving the Model S, on a long trip, every 300 miles and stopping to eat for 45 minute and recharging the battery pack if you can find a 480V outlet. If not, the lunch break will stretch to a 3-4 wait.
Price wise, both cars are expensive but with the tax incentive and my wife's GM Card points, the Volt is more manageable.
Enigmatic-
The Volt won't use gas for 80 percent, or more, of the driving needs of most consumers according to statistics. For many consumers gas might never be needed, except in emergencies.
Thus, the Tesla is carrying around a lot of batteries for no particular use.
Also, the Volt is always in EV mode, it only uses gasoline to generate new electricity.
So, I completely disagree with your analysis that the Model S is "infinitely" more car than the Volt.
Moreover, and to a point Alcatholic made, if the same battery is used in the Model S as the Roadster, it simply doesn't make sense. All the welds in the Roadster battery make it hard to cost-effectively mass-produce. The Volt battery, on the other hand, is far more scalable.
noz,
didn't musk sell most of his interests in PayPal pretty quickly?
anyway, you can't deny that musk has a good nose for future trends and he's put his money in a lot of innovative directions.
compared to most american business leaders, i have a lot of respect for musk.
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