Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

Post by eurleif » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 5:33 AM UTC

rurounijones wrote: post #5

kristofferR wrote: post #3

"Also being announced today is that the small battery option for the Model S will not enter production, due to lack of demand. Only four percent of customers chose the 40 kWh battery pack, which is not enough to justify production of that version. ... The customers who ordered this option will instead receive the 60 kWh pack, but range will be software limited to 40 kWh" Enter the range extending hacks!

Why not just stop sales of the 40kWh model, say "We are going to be nice and just upgrade them to 60kWh free of charge" and be done with it. Sure, some people who paid for the 60kWh packs will be annoyed paying "extra" for it but is that really such a concern that you have to start dicking about with what amounts to basically battery DRM? [EDIT] As someone mentioned below, if 40kWh models have already shipped then re…

Post by chasingtheflow » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 5:39 AM UTC

jhenkens wrote: post #9

I would love to know how many Model S have been sold within 25 miles of Palo Alto, CA. Driving around Menlo Park/Palo Alto/Atherton/Woodside, one can easily see 10 Model S within an hour - it is truly unreal. It's almost at the point where buying a Model S is no longer trend setting, but instead following a trend.

Post by vacri » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 5:44 AM UTC

radicaldreamer wrote: post #7

rurounijones wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not just stop sales of the 40kWh model, say "We are going to be nice and just upgrade them to 60kWh free of charge" and be done with it. Sure, some people who paid for the 60kWh packs will be annoyed paying "extra" for it but is that really such a concern that you have to start dicking about with what amounts to basically battery DRM? [EDIT] As someone mentioned below, if 40kWh models have already shipped then re…

So next time, a large number of people won't choose the lower option hoping to be "upgraded" for free and end up being unhappy with their purchase when the lower capacity option really does go into production due to demand.

Post by spullara » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 5:47 AM UTC

jhenkens wrote: post #9

I would love to know how many Model S have been sold within 25 miles of Palo Alto, CA. Driving around Menlo Park/Palo Alto/Atherton/Woodside, one can easily see 10 Model S within an hour - it is truly unreal. It's almost at the point where buying a Model S is no longer trend setting, but instead following a trend.

Post by ryderm » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 5:53 AM UTC

switz wrote: post #16

dm2 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because Tesla can later offer a $5,000 upgrade to the 60kWh version. Customers are still getting a better car that has the potential to be software upgraded. Win-Win.

So we're entering a phase of micropayments on material objects now? In-app payments, but for your car. I'm not sure how I feel about it, to be honest.