We obviously have a significant percentage of the population with more money than they need -

https://electrek.co/2018/08/22/tesla-model-3-attracts-crowds-australian-launch/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45306117

Ayyyyyyyyyyyyee we're ALL dooomed I tell ye

Tesla finances are a mess

 

teslas-u-turn-puts-it-back-at-square-one-on-cash

 

Edited 28 August, 20187 yr by xman

Musk will be given more leeway than most. For one it's his personality he's got that super-CEO thing going on. Plus if he actually does pull it off the Tesla 3 will be a game changer for all electric cars.

1 hour ago, Aspman said:

Plus if he actually does pull it off the Tesla 3 will be a game changer for all electric cars.

 

I doubt it, I don't think Tesla will be able to compete with the big boys once their EV, hybrids etc come on full stream.

 

Depending on what/who you read, the model 3 is apple orgasmically wonderful, or just a unreliable dubious piece of US automotive junk.

 

They've had enough time and building in tents with Musk pull all nighters (and what exactly is he doing that helps?) reminds me of the amateur shows that I experienced  in one of my earlier employment s decades ago.

 

When I first saw a roadster in the flesh, I thought, this makes an MX5 look big. When I first saw a model X (from the rear, in the flesh), I thought, uh, ugly. The more I see the model 3 the more I think its starting to look very boring. Never liked the no grille look that reminds me of kit cars.

 

All car designs have a shelf life (usually 3 - 5 years). Existing teslas need to be replaced with new models within a year or two, it ain't going to happen.

 

The public are losing the faith:

 

Meanwhile it has just $1.3 billion of cash on hand after backing out $942 million of customer deposits on cars.

 

And

 

While roughly 20 percent to 30 percent of Model S and Model Xs were leased, the Model 3 must be paid for in cash.

 

Good luck with that in the UK.

The EV floodgates are starting to open

 

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/eq/102353/mercedes-eqc-electric-suv-spied-in-production-form

Many monied interests with skin in the game desperate to shore up their ‘short’ position also.

This is a high stakes poker game and I’m not sure if some of the media ‘contributors’ aren’t players also.

14 hours ago, xman said:

I doubt it, I don't think Tesla will be able to compete with the big boys once their EV, hybrids etc come on full stream.

 

All car designs have a shelf life (usually 3 - 5 years). Existing teslas need to be replaced with new models within a year or two, it ain't going to happen.

I don't believe that will be needed for Tesla's. Their cars are constantly evolving, the facelift for Model S is only to bring in line with Model X. Facelifts are pointless marketing exercises for traditional manufacturers to bring in more interest, to make their car seem fresh at dealerships and to keep motoring journalists employed (both of which are a waste of space and air). None of the Tesla (even the original S) needed any cosmetic change, because underlying technology is still way ahead of others.

 

I feel it is the big boys who can't compete with Tesla. The IPace is overpriced, it is cramped and it lacks supercharging. The Bolt is shockingly basic. The new Leaf has non-existence battery temperature management. The only good EV comes from Koreans, but all EV lacks the supercharging network. I think the supercharging network is worth far more than traditional car driver realises.

 

My next car will be an EV to replace my Skoda for long distance travel, a Tesla with supercharging access is the only option. My experience with public charging infrastructure tells me no other EV can drive long distance. Not in the next 10 years.

My mate was  a passenger in a Tesla S recently. He was very very impressed. So much so it is now his 'achievable' dream car.

If they make battery technology improvements plug in adaptable for your early model it’d be significant in dealing with the depreciation threat.   

The mainstream manufacturers are certainly ramping up their EV focus but it's still a case of creating an ICE vehicle and then producing an EV from that. Tesla starts and finishes with an EV. The battery tech is clearly way ahead of any of the mainstream manufacturers too. I love the look of the model S and think that the 3 will bring Tesla's battery tech to a much wider audience at a realistic price. I was shocked when a local Kia dealer has some of their range in the town centre the other day on display. They had a new Ceed priced at £28k!! £28k for a low powered family hatch. The Tesla model 3 is going to be priced around 35k I believe which value wise I don't think is bad. 

 

I'd like some of the mainstreams to produce an EV with a 35k pricetag with a decent range that look and perform as good as the Tesla range (except the Model X, because that's not nice to look at)

Part of VW’s rehabilitation involves clean sheet design BEVs which won’t arrive until 2020 AFAIK.  Though that won’t rule out fuel cell also from Asian and other German manufacturers.

18 minutes ago, Chris said:

The mainstream manufacturers are certainly ramping up their EV focus but it's still a case of creating an ICE vehicle and then producing an EV from that.

Also they think selling a car to the dealership is the end of their responsibilities.

 

No, funding a charging network is mandatory. Nissan pumped some money into Ecotricity to create the Electric Highway, but the equipment hasn't aged well (as in many faulty units). Jag and the Germans think their Ionity charging network is the answer, but non has been built in UK yet.

 

Just how traditional motoring journalist think it is okay to review an EV without mentioning battery tech, recharge speed and long distance driving experience? Jag IPace has had great reviews, but when you actually look at ownership experience (try to drive it long distance, actually living with CCS rapid charging) it's so far removed from the seamless Tesla supercharger experience. This is why I think motoring journalists are a waste of air and space when reviewing EV's.

 

 

I've stated this previously:

 

EV should be measured by how long it'd take to drive 1000km/600miles. Overpriced IPace would be worse than Kona 64kWh in this regard. I can't imagine Germans doing any better. Tesla will win in every category due to many combined factors in its favour: charging speed, charger network availability, battery temperature management, high speed motor efficiency and aerodynamic efficiency.

'Simply Clever' is to turn out affordable to the general public a TESLA or just something just like a TESLA that the manufacturers can make a profit on.

That seems to be the stumbling point, TESLA can not do it yet and nobody else can either.

 

Tesla unveils next model

Edited 30 August, 20187 yr by xman

3 hours ago, xman said:

Tesla unveils next model

Those humanoids would produce far to much methane emission to start with.

Impressive near miss on ap -

https://electrek.co/2018/08/29/tesla-model-3-autopilot-saved-life-near-miss-caught-video/

Apparently in the US insurance is in the 911 territory.   It’s a bit of an indulgence then.

Saw a model 3 here in Vancouver driving along. Plainish I thought.  Was in white.

Edited 12 September, 20187 yr by lol-lol

Just now, lol-lol said:

Saw a model 3 here in Vancouver driving along. Plainish I thought.

I have a problem with there not being a radiator grill area which at least minimises the apparent stone damage .

Beats a Jag -

https://electrek.co/2018/09/15/tesla-model-3-performance-laguna-seca-record/

 

Red to cost $US2500 more -

https://electrek.co/2018/09/16/tesla-increases-price-red-multi-coat-paint-option/

Edited 16 September, 20187 yr by Ryeman

No more free electricity

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-free-unlimited-supercharging-ends-100-dollar-supercharger-credit/

a used one will still come with free supercharging for it's lifetime