Live data from Hacker News

Tesla produces its millionth car

electrek.co

71–80 of 81 posts

Re: Tesla produces its millionth car

#71
post #27

such a great milestone! I hope they hit 10 million one by 2030! We need more companies like Tesla in this world.

The one thing I don't get is that everybody assumes there is unlimited demand for Tesla cars, Tesla just needs to be able to produce. But realistically, let's assume that in 1-2 years government subsidies will end then how many people will still want an EV for a price tag of minimum 30k & can afford it? All that Tesla produces are cars for the premium segment despite some mass market rhetoric.

There are basically two options:

- high demand for EV cars

- the world is screwed

It looks like the world is going to choose number 2.

If subsidies end they are going to have to be replaced by something else. A carbon tax is the best option, but strict fuel economy standards like Europe has is also an option.

Re: Tesla produces its millionth car

#73
post #40
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The one thing I don't get is that everybody assumes there is unlimited demand for Tesla cars, Tesla just needs to be able to produce. But realistically, let's assume that in 1-2 years government subsidies will end then how many people will still want an EV for a price tag of minimum 30k & can afford it? All that Tesla produces are cars for the premium segment despite some mass market rhetoric.

I think there is a massive market of young people that would love to own a Tesla when they reach the required income level. It’s a green product, from a company with grand ambitions to address climate change, and an incredible car. Everyone I know who has one loves it, and most who get to drive them, wish they had one. It feels like the future, and 30k isn’t a crazy price for the value if offers.

I'm solidly middle-aged (mid-50s) and I would love to own a Tesla. Not for the green creds (which are still nice) but for the performance.

I'll take a dual-motor version with a big battery, please!

Re: Tesla produces its millionth car

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can understand critiquing Tesla's business models, their claims about the cars, their financial status, or even Musk's character. But calling what Tesla has done over the last 10 years unimpressive makes no sense to me.

They produce great cars that people love, but people generally love high-end very expensive cars. A Nissan Leaf is not as nice of a car as a Tesla Model 3 in pretty much any way, but it also costs 3/4 of the price. Meanwhile, the Leaf is profitable per-car, and the base model Tesla Model 3 is barely break-even per-car, even with the very aggressive accounting that Tesla uses. Tesla can't keep producing base Model 3's…

[deleted]

Re: Tesla produces its millionth car

#76
post #40
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The one thing I don't get is that everybody assumes there is unlimited demand for Tesla cars, Tesla just needs to be able to produce. But realistically, let's assume that in 1-2 years government subsidies will end then how many people will still want an EV for a price tag of minimum 30k & can afford it? All that Tesla produces are cars for the premium segment despite some mass market rhetoric.

I think there is a massive market of young people that would love to own a Tesla when they reach the required income level. It’s a green product, from a company with grand ambitions to address climate change, and an incredible car. Everyone I know who has one loves it, and most who get to drive them, wish they had one. It feels like the future, and 30k isn’t a crazy price for the value if offers.

> there is a massive market of young people that would love to own a Tesla when they reach the required income level.

I'm one of them. If I would be on the market for a car it would be a Tesla, but I most likely never will never own one. It's a great car, green, geeky and the performance is superb, but I much prefer to use public transportation when getting around. Most of my friends (age ~30) with disposable income just don't want a car. We live in cities in Europe where public transportation is good enough. Owning a car is just a burden if you would only use it for weekend getaways.

The people who live in the countryside where you need a car for day-to-day life just can't afford it.

Re: Tesla produces its millionth car

#77
post #40
post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The one thing I don't get is that everybody assumes there is unlimited demand for Tesla cars, Tesla just needs to be able to produce. But realistically, let's assume that in 1-2 years government subsidies will end then how many people will still want an EV for a price tag of minimum 30k & can afford it? All that Tesla produces are cars for the premium segment despite some mass market rhetoric.

I think there is a massive market of young people that would love to own a Tesla when they reach the required income level. It’s a green product, from a company with grand ambitions to address climate change, and an incredible car. Everyone I know who has one loves it, and most who get to drive them, wish they had one. It feels like the future, and 30k isn’t a crazy price for the value if offers.

I'm absolutely in this boat. I don't drive enough to justify a 45k expense (after options), but if I were driving more I absolutely would. Considering I live in a city with almost no public transportation, it's basically guaranteed if I can't walk to work anymore.

Re: Tesla produces its millionth car

#78
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there is a massive market of young people that would love to own a Tesla when they reach the required income level. It’s a green product, from a company with grand ambitions to address climate change, and an incredible car. Everyone I know who has one loves it, and most who get to drive them, wish they had one. It feels like the future, and 30k isn’t a crazy price for the value if offers.

As a young(ish) person, what would most interest me in an electric car is essentially an electrified Corolla. I don't derive any value from performance, features, or looks. I care about safety, reliability, range, and cost. A Model 3 with 500km of range is over triple the price of a Corolla and a Leaf is over double the price in my market - they just don't make financial sense until they drastically drop in price.

I own a new 2020 Corolla Hybrid and it gives me 58 mpg mileage and cost me $25,000 including all the destination, DMV, etc. charges plus with 3 years of add-on maintenance. Impressive considering when I pay $350 EMI ($0 down-payment on 84 months loan) every month on it and it already saves me about $70 that same month on gas compared to my previous car. So overall the Adj EMI would be just $280.

Re: Tesla produces its millionth car

#79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The way it is stated "No other automaker has achieved that kind of volume when it comes to producing long-range electric passenger cars." gives them some wiggle room in their claim. Still, it is a very impressive feat for an automobile startup.

Ah, I see, it’s the somewhat subjective claim long-range . You Jamie for pointing that out.

That should have said "Thank you for pointing that out", but my new phone seems to like changing ordinary phrases in to nonsensical words.

Re: Tesla produces its millionth car

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have seen some tiny single seater electric "cars" around recently. They are kind of like your regular mobility scooter but with a roof and windows. I saw a short mention of these about to be trialed somewhere in Europe which would allow children to drive them around since they have the same top speed as ebikes which kids are also allowed to use. Seems like a good idea tbh. Kids largely get locked out of the outside…

The solution to poorly designed cities isn't more cars.

Sure, but these don't really cause the same issues as cars. They are more like weather protected ebikes. They can even fit inside most bike lanes.
Post reply on HN