The New Tesla: The Left-Wing Trendymobile

[Fast_Ed]

There is a difference between "we should mature EV technology" and "everyone should be buying these Tesla products - they are without fault." We shouldn't overlook the faults just because it helps #1.

I get that. I just think that guy sounds so pissed that it's hard to take it seriously. I could almost hear Louis Black speaking the words of the article. And since it's probably the only article of his I've read, that doesn't help.

[Bob]

Conservatives pissed off about Tesla and their success? *yawn*

[kevm14]

Conservatives like business.

Also, part of the anger is people who perhaps inaccurately represent the car's environmental impact. That it is a luxury status symbol at the same time is even better.

[kevm14]

Conservatives pissed off about Tesla and their success? *yawn*

What success? Perhaps conservatives are pissed off because Tesla has made no profit (they made 2% one quarter in 2013) but are the media darlings.

[Adam]

I miss they days when the "trendymobiles" were Escalades and H2s with LQ9s in them.

[kevm14]

I came back here for LQ9 content.

Better off topic diversion: L33. We can discuss in the proper thread...

[Bob]

Conservatives pissed off about Tesla and their success? *yawn*

What success? Perhaps conservatives are pissed off because Tesla has made no profit (they made 2% one quarter in 2013) but are the media darlings.

I think being the first US startup automaker in who knows how many years (100?) to sell 100k+ cars counts as being a success. Most startup companies are not profitable for a significant period of time and I believe the profits will come. I would argue that Tesla is probably closer to being profitable on their cars than most other automakers are on their electric vehicles, and this is without the massive purchasing leverage that comes with being an annual producer of millions of cars.

Is the media hype overblown? Probably
Does the author hate the stereotypical Tesla owner and everything they represent? Obviously
In spite of all this, can we at least agree that Tesla has accomplished something improbable that may not be witnessed again in our lifetimes?

[kevm14]

I think being the first US startup automaker in who knows how many years (100?) to sell 100k+ cars counts as being a success. Most startup companies are not profitable for a significant period of time and I believe the profits will come. I would argue that Tesla is probably closer to being profitable on their cars than most other automakers are on their electric vehicles, and this is without the massive purchasing leverage that comes with being an annual producer of millions of cars.

Is the media hype overblown? Probably
Does the author hate the stereotypical Tesla owner and everything they represent? Obviously
In spite of all this, can we at least agree that Tesla has accomplished something improbable that may not be witnessed again in our lifetimes?

If they were a new, Detroit based OEM I'd be more impressed - they are perceived as a tech company that makes cars, which is different. But as I said they are not profitable (not every company can afford to just hype everything while not making money). And there are quality issues. Issues that we'd be hearing more about if it was a regular Detroit type company.

[Bob]

I don't think Tesla would have ever gotten off the ground in Detroit. The corporate culture there isn't very conducive to creating that type of company. One interesting thing about Tesla is a lot of their employees aren't former auto industry people.