Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target • Hacker News Board

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#131

Post by klinquist » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 11:58 AM UTC

skriticos2 wrote: post #83

nikcub wrote: post #21

> The customers who ordered this option will instead receive the 60 kWh pack, but range will be software limited to 40 kWh. can't see anybody hacking that.

You want to hack the software of the car that can potentially kill you and others when the controls don't work as expected. Really? Let's see why I think that's not an option: * you loose warranty (on $50k, that's big) * you get liable for any damage your car does because of software failure no matter if it's because of your modifications or not * you can get injured or killed because the car is not obeying your comm…

I have software to do some pretty significant hacks to my BMW... and yes, I do it and enjoy it.

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#132

Post by klinquist » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 11:59 AM UTC

jimzvz wrote: post #121

> The customers who ordered this option will instead receive the 60 kWh pack, but range will be software limited to 40 kWh. > ...all 60 kWh cars have been and will be built with Supercharger hardware included. Tesla is taking a slight cost risk that ultimately all customers will want to buy the Supercharger upgrade and receive unlimited, free long distance travel for life. I am assuming that the supercharger hardware…

>I am assuming that the supercharger hardware will be disabled as well.

You assume incorrect.

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#133

Post by marvin » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 12:02 PM UTC

It's april 1st where I live. As a shareholder, I was really worried for a moment.

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#134

Post by ollysb » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 12:02 PM UTC

Will be interesting to see if car features become subscription based. Currently manufacturers derive the majority of their profit on the initial sale. Once the cars are on the road they don't see a penny of profit for most of them(ok, there's parts and servicing but the competition is generally cheaper). If they could derive profit throughout the lifetime of the vehicle it would encourage a decrease in the churn rate of cars. Currently, the used car market only indirectly drives profit for them (resale allows the initial buyers to attach greater value to their purchase).

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#135

Post by klinquist » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 12:03 PM UTC

rurounijones wrote: post #6

Accidentally found myself in a Tesla showroom in Tokyo (Didn't even know they had one here) and the sales person was talking about how they had "sold out" in Japan which is promising. Also seeing the model S in person was rather cool.

Here in the Bay Area, I see no less than 2 Model Ss every single day on the road.

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#136

Post by brycedriesenga » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 12:10 PM UTC

jacquesm wrote: post #107

skriticos2 wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You want to hack the software of the car that can potentially kill you and others when the controls don't work as expected. Really? Let's see why I think that's not an option: * you loose warranty (on $50k, that's big) * you get liable for any damage your car does because of software failure no matter if it's because of your modifications or not * you can get injured or killed because the car is not obeying your comm…

I've restored an old car from the ground up. That was lots of fun. One day someone will do it to a model 'S'. Working on old vehicles is interesting because you get to be creative because of a lack of manufacturer supplied parts. Welcome to the aftermarket, where nothing is too crazy. Want to slap a 160 HP engine into your classic mini? That's possible: http://jamesfawcett.co.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_content&#...…

I would like to note that not everywhere has a "road approval" process. That said, I don't have any problem with folks trying to hack the Model S.

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#137

Post by moakleaf » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 12:24 PM UTC

makomk wrote: post #113

peteforde wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The reoccurring theme in your comments amounts to: "Tesla sucks!" What's your beef? Seriously curious.

His comment is accurate: http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/tsla/financials It is also, for some mysterious reason, massively downvoted. Where exactly did this $1.5 billion+ figure come from, and why did taligent's reply to you asking where it came from get so heavily downvoted it's now [dead]?

Because, for the majority of 2012, Tesla didn't produce the Tesla S. They only started producing 400 cars/week late in the last quarter.

So you really cannot use last year's numbers for anything, and therefore last years revenue/income is completely irrelevant.

The 1.5 billion comes from estimating what this year's revenue will be based on the number of cars they currently produce/deliver (which is in the 4-500 range). It is based on about 7500$ profit/car and 20000 cars/yr, but in fairness, that is just an educated guess.

Given that they are now profitable, the key questions are: How large is the profit-margin really. If demand will keep up and allow production to increase. Is there some yet to be revealed gigantic technical issue that will require Tesla to call back all cars.

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#138

Post by jimzvz » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 12:24 PM UTC

klinquist wrote: post #132

jimzvz wrote: post #121

> The customers who ordered this option will instead receive the 60 kWh pack, but range will be software limited to 40 kWh. > ...all 60 kWh cars have been and will be built with Supercharger hardware included. Tesla is taking a slight cost risk that ultimately all customers will want to buy the Supercharger upgrade and receive unlimited, free long distance travel for life. I am assuming that the supercharger hardware…

>I am assuming that the supercharger hardware will be disabled as well. You assume incorrect.

So this specifications sheet doesn't apply?

http://i.imgur.com/49k47Pb.png

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#139

Post by marvin » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 12:28 PM UTC

taligent wrote: post #47

rurounijones wrote: post #6

Accidentally found myself in a Tesla showroom in Tokyo (Didn't even know they had one here) and the sales person was talking about how they had "sold out" in Japan which is promising. Also seeing the model S in person was rather cool.

You know what else "sold out". Palm Pre. Microsoft Surface. Nexus Q. Blackberry Playbook. How are those doing ?

Tesla is publically traded, nothing is stopping you from shorting them. This is currently their only product. You won't be able to bet against a single product easier than this, ever.

Re: Tesla Model S Sales Exceed Target

#140

Post by twoodfin » Mon, Apr 01, 2013, 12:36 PM UTC

barney54 wrote: post #127

twoodfin wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least so long as a $5,000/car government subsidy continues.

I believe its $7500 from the federal government and various states like California also have a subsidy on top of that.

At least a sizable chunk of which is going into the pockets of wealthy Google engineers, if what's to be read in this thread is true. Well, I guess they're paying the taxes in the first place...