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Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

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Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#31
post #7

Tesla is running out of cash at a time when competition is heating up—Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler, and others plan to release dozens of electric car models. I wish competition would heat up. All I want is an all-electric EV with a 200+ mile range. You know what my options are? [1] A Tesla Model S or X, a Bolt EV/Ampera-e which isn't sold in my country [2], or a Tesla Model 3 which is barely shipping at all. I look forwa…

Probably best to get a plug in hybrid for now. Looks like there is much more choice. In a few years things will be different.

https://cleantechnica.com/2018/01/04/plug-hybrid-electric-ve...

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> a Tesla Model 3 which is barely shipping at all. Sorry, but no. One can be had in just a couple months at this point, and that lead time will dwindle quickly now that they've really ramped production.

Isn't production 20k a month and pre-orders >400k right now? Doesn't seem like a couple a month right now and at all. Of course it could dwindle fast from here on out, but even if production doubles you'd still be looking at more than just a couple months. And you'd likely see pre-orders go up accordingly as well, I'm sure there's people who haven't pre-ordered because it makes no sense paying $1k to be on a 3 year w…

Depends on your country and configuration.

A large chunk of the 400k are probably outside of the US, and another chunk are waiting for cheaper configurations.

If you are in the US and order a 'First Production' model (Long Range battery + premium interior) you will definitely not be at the back of a 400k long line.

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#33

Tesla isn't a car company, it's an energy company that is building the Model E on their energy platform. Reading their SEC 10-K[0] will show this. Solar is 55% of all new installations in the USA and Tesla is the leader in solar installations with SolarCity. $/watt installed is only going down with scale. Batteries are becoming the platform for transportation and Tesla owns 50% of the global manufacturing capacity. $…

solar depends on cheap energy storage to ease out delivery spikes. batteries are NOT the right solution. things like compressed air, and even more dangerous alternatives are insanely cheaper than batteries in big volume.

tesla is making all the money they can now, when solar is a novelty for homes.

the second gov enters the game, chemical batteries will not be used. at all.

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#34
post #7

Tesla is running out of cash at a time when competition is heating up—Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler, and others plan to release dozens of electric car models. I wish competition would heat up. All I want is an all-electric EV with a 200+ mile range. You know what my options are? [1] A Tesla Model S or X, a Bolt EV/Ampera-e which isn't sold in my country [2], or a Tesla Model 3 which is barely shipping at all. I look forwa…

I want a car that does that, with a degree of build quality and long term support. I want a BMW electric because I respect BMW. Their cars can be trusted in ways that Teslas cannot. I don't throw cars away when they become uncool. I expect a car bought today to last 15+ years. Any BMW will do that. No Tesla has ever lasted that long. I won't be a tesla customer for at least another decade or two. But I would by a decent BMW electric tomorrow if one were available in my area.

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#35
I dont think it will be a real car company until you see.

* Crappy ads on local tv with Incentives to get excess inventory off the lot

* Old models in the scrap yard

* Disappointing resale values

* Unions on strike

* Mechanics who making blowing noises when you drive onto the lot and ask how much to fix

* Management out for themselves

* Factories in some run down city in the midwest

Until then its still a novelty company.

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#36
post #3

I'm surprised. Chinese EV makers have aced the "nothing special" EV sedan niche under $30k and are popping them out non-stop. I guess, a part of "Apple disease" of around mid-20xx. Teslas are so distinct from mainline cars under the bonnet, that they can't source much components on open market, big part of manufacturing equipment have to be custom made, and they can't outsource anything. Chinese makers on other hands…

They can't pass US (and I would imagine European) crash test requirements.

like japanese cars couldn't pass US crash tests in the 80s? How well that worked out for US automakers?

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#37
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> a Tesla Model 3 which is barely shipping at all. Sorry, but no. One can be had in just a couple months at this point, and that lead time will dwindle quickly now that they've really ramped production.

Not if you want the $35K version, which was supposed to be available in mass quantities last year.

[deleted]

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#38
post #11
post #7

Tesla is running out of cash at a time when competition is heating up—Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler, and others plan to release dozens of electric car models. I wish competition would heat up. All I want is an all-electric EV with a 200+ mile range. You know what my options are? [1] A Tesla Model S or X, a Bolt EV/Ampera-e which isn't sold in my country [2], or a Tesla Model 3 which is barely shipping at all. I look forwa…

As of now, yes. The 2019 Nissan LEAF is projected to have meet your range requirement. I've had the 2013 and the 2015 models, they are good cars in their own right. If they made them slightly larger (but not an SUV), I'd be getting my 3rd one this year.

Really ugly though. Do car companies really think they need an completely new design language for electric cars? One thing Tesla did right was to avoid pushing the style envelope too far from the get-go.

Edit: If they ever get that electric Golf to similar range, I think that will be a pretty good option.

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Jaguar i-Pace Volkswagen e-Golf Renault ZOE

Jaguar i-Pace ...which hasn't been released yet. Volkswagen e-Golf ...which has an EPA range of "89 to 125 mi" [1] Renault ZOE ...which has a "likely EPA rating of perhaps 150 miles" [2] and "mandatory battery hire" [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf#Volkswagen_e-G... [2] https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1111560_renault-zoe-sti...

The Jaguar i-Pace is available right now in the showrooms.

Re: Will the Model 3 make Tesla a real car company?

#40
post #11
post #7

Tesla is running out of cash at a time when competition is heating up—Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler, and others plan to release dozens of electric car models. I wish competition would heat up. All I want is an all-electric EV with a 200+ mile range. You know what my options are? [1] A Tesla Model S or X, a Bolt EV/Ampera-e which isn't sold in my country [2], or a Tesla Model 3 which is barely shipping at all. I look forwa…

As of now, yes. The 2019 Nissan LEAF is projected to have meet your range requirement. I've had the 2013 and the 2015 models, they are good cars in their own right. If they made them slightly larger (but not an SUV), I'd be getting my 3rd one this year.

It's amazing how much wasted space is in the Leaf. Headroom for miles but nary any leg room.
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