Comments on: Tesla Death Watch 8: “This company is not out to solve a sports car shortage in the world” http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:11:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: MattVA http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-567831 MattVA Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:43:29 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-567831 Unless there is some news about Tesla only mod-ing sedans they buy from real car companies, I think the funniest part of this story is a bunch of non-automotive guys thinking they can design, source, and establish capacity to make cars from the ground up in two years. If this was remotely true, they would already have some permits for the early construction phases of the factory build. "How hard could it be?" I love how none of the usual news outlets question this at all. Unless there is some news about Tesla only mod-ing sedans they buy from real car companies, I think the funniest part of this story is a bunch of non-automotive guys thinking they can design, source, and establish capacity to make cars from the ground up in two years. If this was remotely true, they would already have some permits for the early construction phases of the factory build.

“How hard could it be?”

I love how none of the usual news outlets question this at all.

]]> By: shaker http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-567822 shaker Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:39:46 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-567822 I actually squeezed my 6'3" frame into a lime-green Bricklin in a showroom in the mid 70's -- I would *not* have been able to drive the car, as my head was canted to one side to clear the roof. But I doubt that I'll ever be able to try the same in a Tesla... Actually, if the car computer is programmed properly, it should be easy to have an "eco-mode" that would limit peak current to the motor and utilize the car's superior weight and aerodynamic advantages to increase energy usage efficiency. In this case, the two-speed tranny could make a noticeable difference. I actually squeezed my 6′3″ frame into a lime-green Bricklin in a showroom in the mid 70’s — I would *not* have been able to drive the car, as my head was canted to one side to clear the roof. But I doubt that I’ll ever be able to try the same in a Tesla…

Actually, if the car computer is programmed properly, it should be easy to have an “eco-mode” that would limit peak current to the motor and utilize the car’s superior weight and aerodynamic advantages to increase energy usage efficiency. In this case, the two-speed tranny could make a noticeable difference.

]]> By: Stein X Leikanger http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-567751 Stein X Leikanger Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:35:30 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-567751 Tesla is like the economist at the bottom of a deep hole in the ground who states that getting out is a cinch, all he has to do is imagine a ladder. They had no idea what they were getting into, and had little respect for the real world laws of physics they were up against. You can design a snappy EV on a light frame with a maxed out torque as a hobby project for personal use. But the moment you are intending to offer that as a product, for the general public, with what that entails as far as direct and indirect safety is concerned, you're up against a completely different game -- the liability insurance alone would be enough to kill Tesla. But my main complaint about the car, as stated in this editorial, is: <em>There are far better ways of using stored energy than driving Hell for leather in a lithium-ion equipped Tesla Roadster powered by a consumer electric grid.</em> http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-dead-ahead-the-automobiles-energy-lean-and-speed-restricted-future/ Tesla is like the economist at the bottom of a deep hole in the ground who states that getting out is a cinch, all he has to do is imagine a ladder.

They had no idea what they were getting into, and had little respect for the real world laws of physics they were up against.

You can design a snappy EV on a light frame with a maxed out torque as a hobby project for personal use.
But the moment you are intending to offer that as a product, for the general public, with what that entails as far as direct and indirect safety is concerned, you’re up against a completely different game — the liability insurance alone would be enough to kill Tesla.

But my main complaint about the car, as stated in this editorial, is:
There are far better ways of using stored energy than driving Hell for leather in a lithium-ion equipped Tesla Roadster powered by a consumer electric grid.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-dead-ahead-the-automobiles-energy-lean-and-speed-restricted-future/

]]> By: Phil Ressler http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-567572 Phil Ressler Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:27:31 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-567572 <em>...Tesla is in the business of BS, not cars.</em> C'mon, Robert. You did learn, didn't you, never to trust a software guy with a hardware deliverable. Tesla, SpaceX -- same story. There's a lot of elasticity to the notion of ready-for-prime-time in software. Musk has no idea what constitutes "ready" in the human-transporting hardware business, Nor, therefore, what's left to be done. Phil …Tesla is in the business of BS, not cars.

C’mon, Robert. You did learn, didn’t you, never to trust a software guy with a hardware deliverable. Tesla, SpaceX — same story. There’s a lot of elasticity to the notion of ready-for-prime-time in software. Musk has no idea what constitutes “ready” in the human-transporting hardware business, Nor, therefore, what’s left to be done.

Phil

]]> By: mkeenly http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-567191 mkeenly Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:24:30 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-567191 Did Tesla just hire some PR people from Zap? They're Press Releases are starting to sound similar... Did Tesla just hire some PR people from Zap? They’re Press Releases are starting to sound similar…

]]> By: Andy D http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-567112 Andy D Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:52:05 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-567112 Uhhmn werent there 40 something Tuckers made? What is Tesla's production up to? 3 ? Uhhmn werent there 40 something Tuckers made? What is Tesla’s production up to? 3 ?

]]> By: ScottSowers http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566951 ScottSowers Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:25:49 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566951 Here's some more depth from our mates across the pond on what's going on at Tesla. I don't know if it's true but it doesn't sound pretty. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/01/tesla_motors_california_governator_grab/ Here’s some more depth from our mates across the pond on what’s going on at Tesla. I don’t know if it’s true but it doesn’t sound pretty.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/01/tesla_motors_california_governator_grab/

]]> By: Robert Farago http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566922 Robert Farago Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:11:04 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566922 <em>Kevin: Wow! A $30 EV. Sign me up for a thousand. Yep. It’ll be a lot easier just to abandon them to go to the trouble of recharging them.</em> OK guys, you've had your fun. text amended. Kevin:

Wow! A $30 EV. Sign me up for a thousand.

Yep. It’ll be a lot easier just to abandon them to go to the trouble of recharging them.

OK guys, you’ve had your fun. text amended.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566881 Kevin Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:51:21 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566881 <i>Wow! A $30 EV. Sign me up for a thousand.</i> Yep. It'll be a lot easier just to abandon them to go to the trouble of recharging them. Wow! A $30 EV. Sign me up for a thousand.

Yep. It’ll be a lot easier just to abandon them to go to the trouble of recharging them.

]]> By: c. eloi marx http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566791 c. eloi marx Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:15:09 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566791 Don't drag Bricklin into this. The cars may have had a build quality best described as approximate, but they did build nearly 3000 of them. Malcolm Bricklin may have been as shady as they come, but he actually produced a car in series production; no different then other small car companies like De Tomaso, Marcos or Jensen. Tesla on the other hand is in the land of the dreamer car builders, like Vector and Tucker. Don’t drag Bricklin into this. The cars may have had a build quality best described as approximate, but they did build nearly 3000 of them. Malcolm Bricklin may have been as shady as they come, but he actually produced a car in series production; no different then other small car companies like De Tomaso, Marcos or Jensen.

Tesla on the other hand is in the land of the dreamer car builders, like Vector and Tucker.

]]> By: montgomery burns http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566762 montgomery burns Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:56:31 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566762 Holds envelope to forehead: Duke Nukem Forever, Guns and Roses 'Chinese Democracy' and the Tesla. The answer is: Name a vaporware a vaporalbum and a vaporcar Holds envelope to forehead: Duke Nukem Forever, Guns and Roses ‘Chinese Democracy’ and the Tesla.

The answer is: Name a vaporware a vaporalbum and a vaporcar

]]> By: Redbarchetta http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566712 Redbarchetta Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:51:05 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566712 ash78 Jimmy Page Van Halen Tesla Crue Ratt <strike>Cinderella</strike> <strong>Rhodes Wylde Adam Jones Dave Mustane</strong> Redbarchetta He's unique and growing like a weed. ash78

Jimmy Page Van Halen Tesla Crue Ratt Cinderella Rhodes Wylde Adam Jones Dave Mustane Redbarchetta

He’s unique and growing like a weed.

]]> By: Mike66Chryslers http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566621 Mike66Chryslers Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:37:31 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566621 So far all the companies you've listed have turned-out more cars than Tesla... even Vector! (I assume by Cobra you were referring to the AC Cobra?) You could have also added DeLorean to the list of forward-thinking car companies that failed. So far all the companies you’ve listed have turned-out more cars than Tesla… even Vector! (I assume by Cobra you were referring to the AC Cobra?) You could have also added DeLorean to the list of forward-thinking car companies that failed.

]]> By: ash78 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566592 ash78 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:28:54 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566592 <em>Redbarchetta </em> <em>Especially since my new sons middle name is Tesla and I didn’t name him after this lousy car company.</em> Jimmy Page Van Halen Tesla Crue Ratt Cinderella Redbarchetta? :D Tucker was amazing and definitely should not be uttered in the same breath as the rest. Redbarchetta
Especially since my new sons middle name is Tesla and I didn’t name him after this lousy car company.

Jimmy Page Van Halen Tesla Crue Ratt Cinderella Redbarchetta? :D

Tucker was amazing and definitely should not be uttered in the same breath as the rest.

]]> By: Redbarchetta http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566501 Redbarchetta Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:05:08 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566501 <em>I believe Nicola Tesla is not amused.</em> It's Nikola Tesla and I totally agree. I hate the fact they used the Tesla name for the scam of a car company. Especially since my new sons middle name is Tesla and I didn't name him after this lousy car company. Why does Tucker get lumped into that group? Sure they folded but they were kind of forced out of business and they did come out with a damn good product for the time, all 50-something of them. I believe Nicola Tesla is not amused.

It’s Nikola Tesla and I totally agree. I hate the fact they used the Tesla name for the scam of a car company. Especially since my new sons middle name is Tesla and I didn’t name him after this lousy car company.

Why does Tucker get lumped into that group? Sure they folded but they were kind of forced out of business and they did come out with a damn good product for the time, all 50-something of them.

]]> By: barberoux http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566482 barberoux Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:02:01 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566482 Why does the old 90's word "vaporware" keep popping into my head? Why does the old 90’s word “vaporware” keep popping into my head?

]]> By: seoultrain http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566462 seoultrain Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:00:01 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566462 I think it's apparent that Tesla needs money. If Tesla convinces people that it can become a mass-producing large company, people will give them their money. So they march out press releases concerning a $60k electric sedan and a $30k electric car. This is all before they have their first car delivering and driving around. After all, talk is cheap, and a whole lot cheaper than actual vehicles. So people think "wow, this company is exploding, I better get a piece of it." Tesla gets the money, and is then able to get the Roadster online. Once that happens (proving the Roadster is buildable), they'll get more money to develop the other cars. It's press generating money generating product. It'll work, but it'll be a lot slower. Think 2012 for the sedan and 2015 for the $30k electric car (which will probably be $40k), by my estimation. I think it’s apparent that Tesla needs money. If Tesla convinces people that it can become a mass-producing large company, people will give them their money. So they march out press releases concerning a $60k electric sedan and a $30k electric car. This is all before they have their first car delivering and driving around. After all, talk is cheap, and a whole lot cheaper than actual vehicles. So people think “wow, this company is exploding, I better get a piece of it.” Tesla gets the money, and is then able to get the Roadster online. Once that happens (proving the Roadster is buildable), they’ll get more money to develop the other cars. It’s press generating money generating product. It’ll work, but it’ll be a lot slower. Think 2012 for the sedan and 2015 for the $30k electric car (which will probably be $40k), by my estimation.

]]> By: Stein X Leikanger http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566431 Stein X Leikanger Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:57:08 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566431 I believe Nicola Tesla is not amused. I believe Nicola Tesla is not amused.

]]> By: AuricTech http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566331 AuricTech Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:42:50 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566331 <i>“This company is not out to solve a sports car shortage in the world.”</i> And, by all accounts, Tesla Motors is succeeding at not solving the world's sports car shortage. “This company is not out to solve a sports car shortage in the world.”

And, by all accounts, Tesla Motors is succeeding at not solving the world’s sports car shortage.

]]> By: lth http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566281 lth Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:33:44 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566281 <em>...his car company will launch a $30 EV by 2012</em> I'm assuming that is a typo. However, 30 dollars for an EV that can fit 4? Sign me up. …his car company will launch a $30 EV by 2012

I’m assuming that is a typo. However, 30 dollars for an EV that can fit 4? Sign me up.

]]> By: Dorri732 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566272 Dorri732 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:31:21 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566272 Wow! A $30 EV. Sign me up for a thousand. Wow! A $30 EV. Sign me up for a thousand.

]]> By: jkross22 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/comment-page-1/#comment-566261 jkross22 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:30:29 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-8-this-company-is-not-out-to-solve-a-sports-car-shortage-in-the-world/#comment-566261 That Colette.... What a card! That Colette…. What a card!

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