Tesla Model S webcast begins at 3:30PDT/6:30EDT

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

I know it's just staged initial deliveries, but let's hope it's the beginning of something special.

http://www.teslamotors.com/model-s-has-arrived

[xcel]

Hi INATM:

I have been losing interest in the Tesla lineup given the pricing for the S Signature units now heading out the door. The price is so far out of reach of most peoples ability to purchase so what's the point? I really love the technical aspects of the car including its stunning good looks but the price is far out of reach and it does not appear it will be coming down anytime soon

Wayne

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi INATM:

I have been losing interest in the Tesla lineup given the pricing for the S Signature units now heading out the door. The price is so far out of reach of most peoples ability to purchase so what's the point? I really love the technical aspects of the car including its stunning good looks but the price is far out of reach and it does not appear it will be coming down anytime soon

Wayne

If they were just another luxury car manufacturer it wouldn't be a big deal, but what excites me about Tesla is that not only are they, as Musk put it, an engineering company solving difficult engineering problems but also a BEV company with no interest in ICEVs making cars that people really want.

Tesla's approach was realistic, using a high-margin market to grow.

Existing manufacturers could have done what Tesla is doing but when they consider selling a BEV they're calculating how much more they can make selling ICEVs.

[herm]

The short range version of the S will be $50k after the tax credit, only twice the cost of an larded up econobox. It seems reasonable*.. you can save a bit by getting a Volt.
I would like to see a listing of cars in the $50k-$60k range.

*checking my blood pressure now

[CRT1]

I agree with INATM. Tesla needs to take a different approach than Nissan with the Leaf. Nissan already has the infrastructure to make a lot of lower margin cars and make a good buck off them. Telsa does not have that infrastructure so starting off as a low volume, high margin "status car" manufacturer makes a lot of sense to me. I like that the S is a legitimate competitor to BMW, etc and gives people who want a luxury status care an Eco friendly option.

I actually think this is an important cultural development, maybe even more-so than the Leaf. If we start to see the rich and famous driving more Teslas and Fiskers, it will change the status of EVs from boring econo-cars to something much cooler and desirable.

American pop culture seems to equate status with excessive over-consumption and frugality is something for poor, losers. This mindset will need to change if we are to survive as a country and a species.

All that said, I sincerely hope to see Telsa or a spin-off make cars for the common man some day in the not too distant future.