Comments on: Tesla Death Watch 40: A Million Here, A Million There…

By: Dutchchris

Dutchchris — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:57:54 +0000

Droid800: Lotus Europe electric conversions are a dime a dozen. Here is the offering of some Dutch firm:(look under “de modellen”)

http://www.ececars.nl/

It’s likely that Chrysler bought it’s “Dodge EV” ready made from some boutique car company/conversion firm in a desperate effort to have something to show congress in the present beg-a-ton.

By: pk1

pk1 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:31:44 +0000

Tesla should get a good chunk of the government bailout money. They are the only ones who are totally committed to technologies that will increase their competitiveness in the future rather than just using it to fill holes.

By: Vega

Vega — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:08:07 +0000

Droid800:

Don’t be so gullible. From the link you provided:

“Chrysler’s been busy adding Dodge-specific styling elements to the Lotus Europa bodyshell that was used for the EV concept”

So in spite of Cerberus-ordered heavy cutbacks in R&D spending some weeks ago Chrysler desperately needed to come up with eco-stuff in order to push for government money. And by pure concidence, their project is an electrified Lotus Europa. Can you name another company that has based their EV on a Lotus product?

I’m willing to bet big bucks that Chrysler has bought the battery technology and drivetrain from Tesla.

While I agree that Tesla is going the way of the Dodo, the carbon-copy “Dodge EV” will meet the same fate.

By: Droid800

Droid800 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:22:54 +0000

Not from Tesla. I’d wager real customers get a Dodge EV sooner than the vaporware Tesla.

By: chuckgoolsbee

chuckgoolsbee — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:03:05 +0000

Droid800: “We’ll see an EV.”

Only on the golf course.

From Tesla though? The Tesla Roadster is the Tucker Torpedo of the 21st Century. A curiosity wrapped in hype.

–chuck

By: Droid800

Droid800 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:01:51 +0000

I disagree deathwatcher. It is precisely vehicles like the EV that the government will be funding, either with the $15 billion, or the $25 billion ‘green’ loans.

We’ll see an EV.

By: tesla deathwatcher

tesla deathwatcher — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:31:53 +0000

I suspect that Tesla has little to worry about from Chrysler. The illness Chrysler has is terminal. No way will their electric vehicle make it to the market.

But what a blow for Tesla to have to pay $1.1 million in legal fees to Fisker. That has to hurt.

By: Droid800

Droid800 — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:11:53 +0000

New Tesla Death Watch:

Chrysler begins testing a Tesla competitor that will cost half as much and provide most of the performance. (and all of the handling)

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/dodge-ev-caught-late-night-testing/

Tesla should just give up now. If Chrysler goes ahead with their EV Roadster, Tesla is as good as dead.