Tesla Roadster

[gopack504]

Not sure how many of you have $109k to spend on a car, but here's the link to the new all electric roadster.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/05/03/electric.car.ap/index.html

Looks like a nice car. Even though the price is way too expensive for 99% of Americans I think they have the right approach. Selling a ton of these will finance future and more affordable models. Their site says they are planning a 5 passenger sedan for half the price of the Roadster to go on sale in 2010. For $50 I sure hope they plan on making it a luxury sedan. If Tesla is successful they should make Toyota, GM, and others get serious about making electric cars.

 

[gopack504]

Let me try this again so you can click on the link.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/05/03/electric.car.ap/index.html

http://www.teslamotors.com/

 

[e_stewart]

It looks good.... because.... it is a Lotus!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I really do like the Tesla Roadster.. Too expensive for me, however.. I wonder when Hyundai will get in on this stuff...

 

[GrandPrix08]

Well, the question is, will ANY Korean make be able to produce cars like this in the future. About only thing they have right now that is worth be calling as a sports car(they call it supercar in Korea) is the one made by Oulim Motors, formerly known as Proto motors and their hand made Spirra that is rumorred to being sold in Korea only for around $80,000 with Mustang V8 320HP. Though the new company Oulim Motors have produced a new one called Spirra GT with 600HP version, and 700HP version, it is yet to go on sale. On their track testing, the 420HP version(not tuned correctly) have barely lost to the Lambo, due to the mis-shift as well. Here are some footages of them.

http://z11.invisionfree.com/KoreanCarsFanatic/index.php?showtopic=8&st=0&#last

It will be interesting to see if Hyundai or Kia will be making anything close to that in the future.

 

[gopack504]

I really do like the Tesla Roadster.. Too expensive for me, however.. I wonder when Hyundai will get in on this stuff...

I actually asked a Hyundai sales rep when Hyundai will be coming out with Hybrids or other gas saving alternative engines. His reply was that maybe in the future, but that they do not anticpate it any time soon. His logic was that Hyundai cars already sell for less than comparable cars and much less than hybrid comparable cars that for pretty much any duration of time a Hyundai car will be less or about the same fuel expense wise in mpg terms.

He might be right, but it probably doesn't match public perception and they might lose out on market share. Eventually all cars made by Lexus and Toyota will probably be hybrids, so people will think to shop them first.

 

[GrandPrix08]

One thing you have to think about is Hyundai's experience with the hybrid engines. They have no idea, nor any knowledge of it. Let's just say the Korean automaker's technology for the hybrids is currently on the beginning stage. There ARE few hybrid cars cruising in Korea, but they are no way near as the level of the ones that are being sold here. Or so, that I've heard. They only tried the hybrid engine on select few models in Korea, such as Elantra's for Korean market, JUST as the test purpose. I am sure they WILL bring hybrid engines in the future, but I doubt they will anytime soon.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

If Hyundai keeps their prices down, it'll make sense that overall, it's just not worth it for them to get into the hybrid game right now. However, if their prices keep going up - people will cross shop hybrids...

 

[gopack504]

I know this is a Genesis forum, but it's fun to talk about other cars too. I'm really intrigued by the Tesla too. I emailed Tesla to find out if they are opening a dealership in Chicagoland (it's where I live) and ask about their luxury sedan. Below is the response I got. If they plan on opening locations across the country they plan on being around for the long haul. I wonder if they will always stay independent, or if one of the current auto makers will try to buy them?

"The Chicago location should be ready by Q1 2009. The sedan will begin shipping in late 2010 - reservations will begin next year (we'll let you know)."

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Any thoughts on how much the sedan might cost? I hope not as much as the roadster.. I'd like to see this car get sold and at six figure prices, it's just not going to happen (enough to talk about). I'm sure Tesla's business plan includes being bought out by somebody...

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[gopack504]

I believe rumor has it the sedan wil be around $50k. I think the goal was to get "noticed" and a lot of good PR with the roadster. Sell a few thousand of the roadster at 100k to finance the next car, the sedan, and eventually build a stable of cars that everyone can afford. Imagine if this company could eventually grow to sell 100,000 cars a year?

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I believe rumor has it the sedan wil be around $50k. I think the goal was to get "noticed" and a lot of good PR with the roadster. Sell a few thousand of the roadster at 100k to finance the next car, the sedan, and eventually build a stable of cars that everyone can afford. Imagine if this company could eventually grow to sell 100,000 cars a year?

Very nice. $50k for a nice luxury sedan would be great. I do believe that if they play their cars right, they'll sell lots of cars everywhere...

 

[RichieRichLancair]

Tesla Motors was started by a dot commer that hit it big.

The guy that started PayPal is funding them. This guy is building the launch vehicle that will supply the space station during the time the shuttle is deactivated and it's replacement arrives.

Jay Leno has the first customer Tesla roadster. You can see it here;
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_player.shtml?vid=229378

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Does the guy who started PayPal still own that company? This is interesting news...

 

[RichieRichLancair]

I think he sold it to eBay in the early 2000's. I'll try to find out.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

That's right.. PayPal is now an eBay company..

 

[RichieRichLancair]

Tesla Motors founder is Jeff Skoll. Elon Musk is Chairman of Tesla Motors. Elon is funding Tesla. Excerpt: "I found PayPal founder (and Tesla Motors Chairman) Elon Musk, Participant Productions' Founder and CEO Jeff Skoll, also of eBay fame"

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/20/tesla-roadster-unveiling-in-santa-monica/

In the article dated July 20, 2006 it states Elon's investment in Tesla at 60 million. I saw on TLC's Rides Elon saying that he had just doubled his investment in Tesla to get the roadster out the door. I think that was 6 weeks ago.

Wikipedia states Elon sold paypal to eBay in October 2002 for 1.5 billion (with a "B") kind of interesting, he's self made. I've included that link here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk

Note: it says that he gets the first production tesla (001). Jay Leno says his is the first production Tesla? Used maybe?

This stuff is so cool. These dudes are the Howard Hughes' of our time.

Man, I really hope these guys can pull this off. The odds are against them. There hasn't been a successful car company started in the US since the 40s.

 

[RichieRichLancair]

The Tesla "WhiteStar" Sedan?

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fisker-karma-1/583462/

I have heard this will be a series (plug-in) hybrid. 600+ mile range.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

The Tesla "WhiteStar" Sedan.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fisker-karma-1/583462/

Thank you. I've been waiting to see the Tesla sedan I've been hearing about.. That looks very nice and quite a bit sporty. I think it would serve Tesla's best interests to build a highly luxurious electric sedan as well..

 

[RichieRichLancair]

Ride in a production Tesla. Video on this blog is kind of raw but real.

http://www.teslamotors.com/blog2/?p=56

Check out his last line, he calls the Prius a gas hog.