Comments on: Tesla’s wild ride continues

By: Todd M. Phoenix, AZ

Todd M. Phoenix, AZ — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:09:42 +0000

The ad-disguised-as-comment for offshoring is pretty funny. That was yesterday’s model. Now, for just-in-time manufacturing, decreased transport costs, and a skilled workforce in established factories, look no farther than America.

By: eric, torrance california

eric, torrance california — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:52:46 +0000

Ultimately, I think Tesla’s future profitability will lie in licensing out patents and technology developed during the production of their roadster and sedan. The Big 3 (maybe Big 2 soon?) and major japanese and european car manufacturers will always be the source of cars for 99.9% of us, but many of their future vehicles will have roots in cars made by smaller startups like Tesla.

By: Robert Nashville, TN

Robert Nashville, TN — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:10:20 +0000

Musk pushed out Martin Eberhard, who was the true visionary of Tesla. It’s amusing to me that the reasons given for Eberhard’s ousting are production issues, profitability, and untimely delays; the same problems that Musk is having now. If the company fails, it is because Musk craves too much power. I wish the concept of the company well, but they need to get rid of him, not the real engineers and visionaries.

By: Pete, Columbia SC

Pete, Columbia SC — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:48:30 +0000

Is this the same industry insider that is trying to convince everyone that a Hummer or a Ford Excursion will always have mass appeal? That there is no need to be concerned over $4/gallon gas?

Ever since that captain couldn’t pilot a ship out of Alaska the nation has been talking about the limited resource of oil…. That was what, 20+ years ago? I am not talking about the sierra club or some other tree hugging nuts but normal, everyday, middle of the road Americans. If your automotive insider had any clarity or ambition we would all be driving vehicles with a variety of power trains…. Weather they are powered by Hydrogen, Electricity, Biofuels or Crisco. Instead it is easier to say this company is done because there has been one bump in the road. If you follow the same reasoning should GM and Ford both be out of business right now?

I have been following this company very closely for the last couple of years, I am hoping they are able to succeed and take a large chunk out of the market share.

By: trm, Palo Alto, CA

trm, Palo Alto, CA — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:15:21 +0000

I’m really rooting for Tesla, whether I will ever have enough money to buy any of their cars or not. I’m also hoping that they can keep the layoffs to a minimum; it’s those people who got them to this point (not financially, product-wise). Elon baby, throw some money into the payroll!

Anyone know who else they are planning to sell drivetrain stuff to?

By: John, Columbus, OH

John, Columbus, OH — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:58:00 +0000

“I have friends who have been automotive industry insiders for 30 years who tell me this company is done, baked, over, say goodnight…”

Yeah, and look how well they’re doing…

I think the Roadster is a brilliant way of convincing people that electric drivetrains are viable and sporty cars can be made from them. But the company needs to move the focus to a more practical application if they really want to start some cash flow.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:26:33 +0000

is off-shoring going to be silver bullet for this problem ? It might not be, but it will definitely help reduce operational costs for these startups.

http://www.confiz.com
your offshore development partner

By: JT, San Francisco, CA

JT, San Francisco, CA — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:37:04 +0000

Not so. Margins are much higher on expensive cars, and practically non-existent on economy cars. New technology is always expensive at first, and sells only to those willing to pay top dollar. Prices decrease with scale. Think PC’s, CD players, VCR’s, cell phones. Tesla will take time to ramp up production to fulfill even the limited demand there is for cars that most people can’t afford. How much less money would they have in the bank if all the people who put down deposits had only paid $5k instead of $50k? How many people interested in $15k cars are willing to put down a deposit and wait 3 years for the car?

By: Ken, Silicon Valley in the big CA

Ken, Silicon Valley in the big CA — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:51:47 +0000

That’s what you get when you “concentrate” on a $109,000 vehicle that most people cannot afford.

That’s what you get when the “need” is a more cost-efficient vehicle in the marketplace, that most people can afford.

That’s what you get – duh – when people are flocking to the Toyota Prius.

The IDEA is Great! The Management and the Execution of the Plans are FLAWED!

If I was running this company…..I would FIRE Everyone and Start OVER!

What a WASTE. No…..wait.

Isn’t TESLA equal to “STALE”?????

Maybe you should’ve named the company something else….huh???

By: george, spring, texas

george, spring, texas — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:30:44 +0000

He keeps his money in TIPS, treasuries, where everyone else who’s gotten rich off the risky stock market puts their money.

By: g.r.r., Highlands Ranch, CO

g.r.r., Highlands Ranch, CO — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:53:04 +0000

I have friends who have been automotive industry insiders for 30 years who tell me this company is done, baked, over, say goodnight…

And a number of ppl said that same of Google when they first came out. And about Paypall, spacex,etc.

The nice thing about start-ups like this, is that sooner or later, several will make it. The reason why your friends are saying that Musk is toast, is they believe that hybrids by GM are the way to go. I am guessing that electrics will be the big seller within 5 years. The reason is that few ppl driver more than 100 miles/day.

By: Matt, Manchester, NH, USA

Matt, Manchester, NH, USA — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:32:10 +0000

Don (from Sunnyvale), that would be too bad.
It’s exciting to see pioneers such as Tesla on the automotive front. I am/was looking forward to what is/was coming down the pipeline.

By: lisa minnesota

lisa minnesota — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:13:21 +0000

I wouldn’t put much stock in the opinions of long-term industry insiders because they are the ones who’ve been caught with their pants down and are WAY behind the curve. It is their own fault that they did not have the vision to keep their industry viable.

By: Don, Sunnyvale, CA.

Don, Sunnyvale, CA. — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:43:02 +0000

I have friends who have been automotive industry insiders for 30 years who tell me this company is done, baked, over, say goodnight…

By: Spankie, Athens, OH

Spankie, Athens, OH — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:13:16 +0000

To answer that last question—In his mattress!