By Frank Williams
May 15, 2008 -
When we started the Tesla Birth Watch last August, we said "we'll be following this developing story as it develops." Then, in January, we stated "we're obliged to quit carping under this title when one- count it ONE- Roadster enters its owner's climate-controlled garage." Well, it's happened. After several false starts, revised delivery dates and lots of PR tap dancing, the first Tesla is in the hands of a paying customer. (We know Tesla CEO Elon Musk got his Roadster three months ago, and supposedly paid full price for the honor, but we don't see that as a "real" delivery.) According to Tesla Comms Veep Darryl Siry, "Car #3 was delivered to someone (who prefers not to be named) who is not associated with the company on a day to day basis, but whose investment fund put money into Tesla very early." Of course, RF is grumbling, asking for independent verification of Siry's assertion. But I've convinced him it's time to call it a day. The Tesla Birth Watch is officially over. The Tesla Death Watch begins.
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POWERED
May 15th, 2008 at 9:35 am
The Tesla Birth Watch is officially over. The Tesla Death Watch begins.
Not exactly a prediction for a long life, eh?
May 15th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Now we just need to wrap up the Debt 3 Death Watch series. Death Pool anyone?
May 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
” …. delivered to someone (who prefers not to be named) who is not associated with the company on a day to day basis ….”
Sounds like pre-production unit #3. But hey, Corbin pushed almost 300 Sparrows out of the nest before going under.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
You guys are really mean. Give them at least a week to bask in their glory.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Yay delivery. Starting a Death Watch is a little harsh, though it’s a very real possibility, considering how the company has been run to this point. I hope they do well, you know, for the sake of humanity.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am
this is a sad day indeed
May 15th, 2008 at 10:23 am
The Tesla Birth Watch is officially over. The Tesla Death Watch begins.
If they met your target of 1 car delivered to a customer, give them some props, at least at first! A lot of people thought that wouldn’t even happen. I know we may not know the full story behind true independent verification, but I’d advise toning back that language in the name of goodwill.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I disagree. According to Eberhard’s story, Roadster 3 is a refurb of a prototype and not a real production unit. Until a ground up production unit reaches a paying customers hands the car has yet to be born, IMHO.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:29 am
In my opinion, delivering one car doesn’t mean much.
A fully functioning production line that is fulfilling orders, yes. One vehicle? A bit early to say.
Even Vector delivered one vehicle. Technically, they’re still in business. It remains one of our oldest and best known vaporware companies.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:30 am
RayH:
I know we may not know the full story behind true independent verification, but I’d advise toning back that language in the name of goodwill.
In case you hadn’t noticed, we are not in the goodwill business.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:11 am
In case you hadn’t noticed, we are not in the goodwill business.
Point taken and understood.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Goodwill? This site’s in the business of the truth. Rock on.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I agree with others that it is too early to give up on a “birth” watch. It also strikes me as more than a little cynical (even for me, and I’m a pretty cynical guy) and pessimistic to go straight to a “death” watch.
How about a Credibility Watch? Then once the company demonstrates a lack thereof, bring on the Death Watch. And if they succeed, more power to them.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Did this car have the 2-speed transmission or the 1-speed? If it is the 1-speed, I wouldn’t quite consider it done, as people don’t normally spend $100k for a “sports car” that doesn’t even keep up with the Lotus from which it is based.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:38 am
You are giving up to easy Frank. Call me when a buyer who is not looking for an opportunity to pump and dump his stock takes delivery.
P.S. Can someone explain why an electric car needs a transmission?
May 15th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Even though an electric motor makes maximum torque at 0 rpm, gearing allows that torque to be multiplied.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
If it’s a little premature on the Death Watch, how about “Spin Watch”… at least keep ‘em honest as they madly wiggle around putting lipstick on it.
And who knows, maybe the spin will turn into some straight torque.
Ah ha ha…sorry.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I’m with PCH101 and Roger Hislop. But rooting for Tesla.
May 15th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Could he be the 3rd owner…Click
May 15th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
The driver in the video says that car is Tesla CEOs car. Or something, it’s not his car, he’s still waiting for his.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
An important (if un-verifiable) milestone, to be sure. But what about the other investors, Siry? Can you tell us if
1. They’ve been given delivery dates
2. Their cars are at least in production
3. The transmission issues have been resolved to the point where cars are sold with production transmissions
I know it seems cruel and harsh and what not, but after 2.5 deliveries, at least one of which we know for a fact was not made to an Arm’s Length Party, Tesla is still operating on OPM. In other words… show me the money!
May 15th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
A full update was given here:
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=59
Their production plan:
VIN# Planned Production Month
Founders’ Series March-June 2008
Signature 100 #1 July 2008
Signature 100 #100 October 2008
VIN #200 November 2008
VIN #300 December 2008
VIN #400 February 2009
VIN #500 March 2009
May 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Hmm, maximum torque at 0 RPM; that must be fun to drive on icy roads.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Kudos on the caption.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
#charleywhiskey :May 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Hmm, maximum torque at 0 RPM; that must be fun to drive on icy roads.
It’s called traction control. See vid here:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/03/video-tesla-engineer-talks-about-developing-ev-traction-control/
May 16th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I’ll wait for i to be on Barrett-Jackson someday with a huge starting price.”Look, only a few remain and this is the first one delivered!”
May 24th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Check out Jay Leno’s garage. He claims to have the first production Tesla. He also has a vid of him driving it on the streets.