Damned if Elon does. Damned if he don’t. “An electric vehicle is worthless without electric charging stations.” So Tesla makes a risky move to save one such company that happens to provide an answer to that criticism. People pile on. Predictably.
Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
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Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#12If anyone is unfamiliar with the author, she was one of the first mainstream media authors to be critical on Enron and eventually wrote a book on Enron as well.
For many Tesla fans it never seemed to make sense that Tesla would buy Solarcity except as a bailout of Solarcity. The loose connection they have with regards to the environment was certainly not sufficient to justify the move.
Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#13If anyone is unfamiliar with the author, she was one of the first mainstream media authors to be critical on Enron and eventually wrote a book on Enron as well.
Thanks for pointing this out, I wasn't going to read the article at first, but now I will.
Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#14Damned if Elon does. Damned if he don’t. “An electric vehicle is worthless without electric charging stations.” So Tesla makes a risky move to save one such company that happens to provide an answer to that criticism. People pile on. Predictably.
Risky move to save a company run by Elon's cousin.
edit, also Solarcity didn't/doesn't provide charging capabilities, but solar cells. There is not a lack of solar cell companies in the world and SolarCity was never particularly advanced.
Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#15If anyone is unfamiliar with the author, she was one of the first mainstream media authors to be critical on Enron and eventually wrote a book on Enron as well.
She wrote 'Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room' subsequently made into an excellent film. I suspect we will be seeing 'Tesla: The Smartest Guys in the Room' soon. It still rankles me that Nicolai Tesla's name is associated with all this.
Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#16Damned if Elon does. Damned if he don’t. “An electric vehicle is worthless without electric charging stations.” So Tesla makes a risky move to save one such company that happens to provide an answer to that criticism. People pile on. Predictably.
Is SolarCity an exclusive, or otherwise prominent producer of the solar panels required for Tesla charging stations?
Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#17Damned if Elon does. Damned if he don’t. “An electric vehicle is worthless without electric charging stations.” So Tesla makes a risky move to save one such company that happens to provide an answer to that criticism. People pile on. Predictably.
Risky move to save a company run by Elon's cousin. edit , also Solarcity didn't/doesn't provide charging capabilities, but solar cells. There is not a lack of solar cell companies in the world and SolarCity was never particularly advanced.
A company that was founded based on his suggestion, with his financial and leadership support. He was there from day zero.
Solar City is not just a solar cell company. It is a power generation and distribution company. Which clearly ties into charging electric cars.
Another (very) common early criticism of Tesla: You’re just filling up with coal power.
And. Risky for sure. Elon Musk obviously doesn’t shy from risky. He sets goals that solve existential problems. In this case, our reliance on fossil fuels.
Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#18The purchase of SolarCity by Tesla was the single dumbest thing Elon Musk did and it has dire consequences for Tesla the car company. Shareholders definitely have a great chance to sue Musk because he did not do this in the best interest of his shareholders, it's in the best interest of his cousin. Co-mingling all parts of his companies (SpaceX buying SolarCity Bonds) is a huge red flag that reeks of corporate malfeasance. He should have let SolarCity die, it would have come back as a stronger company once the initial investors were wiped out.
Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#19Damned if Elon does. Damned if he don’t. “An electric vehicle is worthless without electric charging stations.” So Tesla makes a risky move to save one such company that happens to provide an answer to that criticism. People pile on. Predictably.
Tesla was doing quite well installing charging stations before the SolarCity acquisition, and the acquisition of a solar panel company did nothing to assist.
Re: Elon Musk Gambled Tesla to Save SolarCity
#20HN discussion at the time: