Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Sounds like a thrilling car to drive in both dynamics and acceleration.
It is attractive in a generic Kia/Hyundai/Mazda sort of way.
Nothing distinctive in this car's body design.
These cars seem almost too perfect.
I find myself wondering what the downside is.
Granted that Elon Musk isn't exactly waiting for his next EBT top-up to buy the groceries, but the resources available to him are certainly no more than those available to any major manufacturer.
Why has no other manufacturer built a serious modern EV?
Are there some hidden gremlins here, or is this car really as good as it seems to be?
I could buy a basic Model S for a not unreasonable sum and drive it on my commute every day. If I happened to forget to plug it in for a day or two, all would still be well.
Tesla seems to have gone well beyond what anybody else has achieved in an EV.
This is a car you'd buy because it really seems that good.
It just happens to have batteries rather than a fuel tank.
Meanwhile, BMW and Mercedes offer laughable EVs for substantial money.
Why?
Well said on all points IMO.
Few points:
1. Elon Musk didn't start Tesla Motors to make money, really. He started it as part of a larger project to make energy more sustainable. He assumed it would lose money and eventually fail, but figured that'd be okay as long as it made an impact in the process. The fact that the business seems to be sustainable is a welcome surprise. I think this explains why Tesla Motors could make the Model S as good as it is while other companies struggle to put out anything worthwhile. Other companies have to make a business case for every product they make, which means they are constrained by corporate cultures and profitability requirements. Tesla Motors, on the other hand, just focused single-mindedly on making the product great.
2. As I understand, the Model S has indeed had a few teething pains (heard a few owners talk about odd repairs being needed), so it's not entirely without a catch. At the same time, Tesla is handling those issues with less inconvenience to its owners than its competitors seem to manage (e.g. software updates are over-the-air, and they take the car away and bring you a loaner rather than requiring you to come into the shop), so that's good.
3. When you look at why the big companies' EVs suck, most of the reasons are related to the fact that they are all intended to be city cars. That explains their cramped dimensions, mediocre dynamics, and pathetic range. Maybe they just figure no one would buy an EV for anything but really short commutes, and therefore they don't want to build anything that's intended for any other use.