Tesla proves electric cars make luxurious sense
If rich, why not be green if the Tesla S looks this cool?
Model S: Plugged in and beautiful
What’s not to love about the idea of electric cars? The quiet, yet powerful elegance of electron-powered cars is intoxicating to almost all that have ever driven such a vehicle.
Unfortunately, while electric cars make uber-sense in theory, real world costs make such vehicles prohibitively expensive for mainstream buyers.
For luxury buyers, however, EVs such as the Model S seem ready to compete.
In terms of style, Guy Fieri would say the Tesla Model S is “on point” – simply a gorgeous looking sedan. But the S offers considerable substance beyond its well-sculpted exterior in the form of some serious green and foreign oil dependence-reducing bragging rights.
“Look at me. Not only do I drive a hot looking yet refined sedan, but one built with the latest and greatest technology that enables completely foreign oil and CO2 tailpipe emissions free driving. While I enjoy luxury, I do care.”
Seriously, ego is a piece of the luxury purchase, especially when + 50,000 dollar price tags are at stake. Consequently, while a $70,000 Mercedes serves up a nice bit of pride, a $70,000 300 mile plug-in electric car offers far more gloating power, especially when as sleekly curvaceous as the Model S.
Rich, hip and environmentally friendly, rather than just a conceited turd. Who wouldn’t be envious of a Model S owner?
Besides, electric cars simply don’t make sense today, at least not for us average schmucks, but they can make a lot of sense in the luxury segment and the Model S is shaping up into what appears to be a real player in this segment.
Historically, the major auto makers rolled out new technology in the luxury models, adding it to their main stream vehicles when mass production was possible. Everything from fuel injection, to independent suspension, to disc brakes started out in luxury vehicles.
With EV’s and hybrids this simply hasn’t been the case. Auto makers just don’t seem to think that EV/hybrid technology is something that luxury car buyers would be interested in. They only think of this as cost-saving technology, which dosn’t fit their idea of a luxury car.
I’m here to tell you that using less fuel, and running on electricity IS something that luxury car buyers are interested in. But I think the major auto makers just aren’t willing to take the financial gamble to find out.
It will take success by companies like Tesla and Fisker to prove to the major automakers before they react.
Bob Lutz was very motivated by Tesla, and Toyota seems to have received some inspiration from Musk as well.
I think it’s still pretty interesting that the majors still haven’t really gotten Tesla yet though.
While Elon Musk believes that all cars will be EVs eventually, he fully understands that their best business case for now is in the luxury segment. Yet, while all the majors have a luxury brand, none have yet put out a plug-in this class, nor do they have serious plans to compete with something like the Model S.
Obviously, the majors can put out mainstream EVs and accept a loss in the short term, unlike Tesla. Still, why not recover some of those losses in the luxury segment if you could actually make a profit?
Tesla has definitely put the auto industry on it’s heals…
Only a few years after GM gave up on the EV1, Tesla not only proves that an electric vehicle can work, they prove it can outperform gasoline powered vehicles!!! Now they are taking it even one step further with the Model S by adding luxury as well as performance.
We are now seeing every major automaker developing an electric vehicle. I believe that Tesla deserves much of the credit for this.
Sometimes you need some new blood to shake things up.