View Full Version : TTAC: Tesla Born! Birth Watch Over! (begins Death Watch)
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-birth-watch-48-done/
Well, it's happened. After several false starts, revised delivery dates and lots of PR tap dancing, the first Tesla is in the hands of a paying customer.
...
The Tesla Birth Watch is officially over. The Tesla Death Watch begins.
WarpedOne
05-15-2008, 10:35 AM
The Tesla Death Watch begins
I wish I could laugh at this...
The stance TTAC has taken towards Tesla has always been overwhelmingly negative. They were annoyed to have to give Tesla any credit. I don't understand why they seem to want Tesla to fail. At any rate, I'm staying optimistic that Tesla can get their act together, and sincerely hope they succeed.
Chris H.
05-15-2008, 11:01 AM
The stance TTAC has taken towards Tesla has always been overwhelmingly negative. They were annoyed to have to give Tesla any credit. I don't understand why they seem to want Tesla to fail. At any rate, I'm staying optimistic that Tesla can get their act together, and sincerely hope they succeed.
Doug,
I also want to see TM succeed, but I don't think that they can with their current executive structure. Things have been going downhill since Martin was ousted...
All the best,
Chris H.
Cobos
05-15-2008, 11:37 AM
Doug,
I also want to see TM succeed, but I don't think that they can with their current executive structure. Things have been going downhill since Martin was ousted...
All the best,
Chris H.
I'm not so sure about that. Sure, the petty and spitefull way Tesla is now handling Martins car is not good for they customer service reputation. Not to mention very unprofessional. BUT companies with horrendous customer service has been known to thrive and be very successfull. The Roadster IS an excellent product, not the least thanks to Martin's vision. That means currently Tesla can demand customers firstborn child for ritual sacrifice and STILL get plenty of takers...
The question that is important for Teslas future is the Whitestar. If the Whitestar is a good product Tesla will survive and grow. If not Tesla will survive based on the Roadster and become a niche manufacturer like there already is plenty of.
When it comes to TTAC, I can't read them from Europe now, seems to be routing problems, but they have always hated Tesla. Probably because someone is making a desirable sports car that is not something they know anything about, and it threatens their feeling of superiority.
Cobos
Actually I can't get the TTAC site up either here in the LA area.
When it comes to TTAC, I can't read them from Europe now, seems to be routing problems, but they have always hated Tesla. Probably because someone is making a desirable sports car that is not something they know anything about, and it threatens their feeling of superiority.
Well, I think the real issue with TTAC is that they wanted to be contrarian. At a time when ALL of Tesla's press was gushing and overwhelmingly positive, TTAC wanted to be the only skeptical voice. That's fine, the only problem is that they were unreasonably negative. So instead of being fair and reasonably skeptical. They've been unmistakably negatively biased. But who knows, maybe they're like this about all car companies. I've only managed to read their Tesla coverage. Which, though negative, is pretty darned entertaining.
I've been having issues connecting with their site as well, but I still have the article up, so I'll quote it here, in it's entirety.
Tesla Birth Watch 48: Done.
By Frank Williams
May 15, 2008 - 507 Views
http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008/05/tesla2.jpg (http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008/05/tesla2.jpg)When we started the Tesla Birth Watch last August (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-mania-reaches-fever-pitch-as-company-threatens-to-deliver-cars/), we said "we'll be following this developing story as it develops." Then, in January (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-birth-watch-28-could-this-be-the-end/), we stated "we're obliged to quit carping under this title when one- count it ONE- Roadster enters its owner's climate-controlled garage." Well, it's happened. After several false starts, revised delivery dates and lots of PR tap dancing, the first Tesla is in the hands of a paying customer. (We know Tesla CEO Elon Musk got his Roadster three months ago, and supposedly paid full price for the honor, but we don't see that as a "real" delivery.) According to Tesla Comms Veep Darryl Siry, "Car #3 was delivered to someone (who prefers not to be named) who is not associated with the company on a day to day basis, but whose investment fund put money into Tesla very early." Of course, RF is grumbling, asking for independent verification of Siry's assertion. But I've convinced him it's time to call it a day. The Tesla Birth Watch is officially over. The Tesla Death Watch begins.
You'll have to go to their site for the comments, but here's a pretty good one by Darryl:
siry (http://www.teslamotors.com/) : May 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-birth-watch-48-done/comment-page-1/#comment-426042)
this is a sad day indeed
Cobos
05-15-2008, 12:28 PM
Actually I can't get the TTAC site up either here in the LA area.
Yes, it worked earlier today, but I can see I get 4 jumps within the US before it dies so probably some network problem somewhere in the US. Seems I can do a DNS resolve but not a ping, so their server itself must be down or the routing to that server.
Cobos
Cobos
05-15-2008, 12:33 PM
You'll have to go to their site for the comments, but here's a pretty good one by Darryl:
I find it a bit interesting that Darryl keeps commenting on TTAC which has always been extremely critical, while the whole issue with Martins car has gone uncommented on Autobloggreen. The article on ABG about Martins car is currently the most commented post the last 7 days which must be generating lots of views and still no comment. The silence speaks volumes, isn't that the expression?
Cobos
Dogtown
05-15-2008, 12:41 PM
Should we start the "Bring back TTAC campaign?"
Kardax
05-15-2008, 12:55 PM
The stance TTAC has taken towards Tesla has always been overwhelmingly negative. They were annoyed to have to give Tesla any credit. I don't understand why they seem to want Tesla to fail. At any rate, I'm staying optimistic that Tesla can get their act together, and sincerely hope they succeed.
Controversy generates traffic, and on an ad-supported site like TTAC, traffic generates money.
It works ok, it's gotten a few visits from me :) (Though I've never clicked any any ads :)
-Ryan
Should we start the "Bring back TTAC campaign?"
Ha ha. DT, was it you that had to make the decision whether to fish or cut bait over the next couple of weeks?
Chris H.
05-15-2008, 01:41 PM
Looks like TTAC is now experiencing a DOS attack. Coincidence? Smells like TM damage control...
Cobos
05-15-2008, 02:25 PM
I'm pretty sure doing a DDOS attack (which is the only version worth talking about) is illegal in the US as it is in Norway. You really think Tesla would do a DOS attack on something as unimportant as TTAC? Especially considering a DDOS attack might theoretally buy you some time, but you can't keep it up for an extended period of time.... Knowing quite a few things about webservers I'm guessing some mundane problem with the fiber or the servers somewhere...
Cobos
Kardax
05-15-2008, 02:32 PM
Looks like TTAC is now experiencing a DOS attack. Coincidence? Smells like TM damage control...
Uh... I think you need to find a new hobby. You hate Tesla's management so much that you're spinning every trivial thing into some sort of malicious attack.
-Ryan
Yeah, easy on the paranoia...
TTAC site is back up on my end, btw. Including this piece (IMO) good news: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/us-top-gear-is-toast/
Chris H.
05-15-2008, 03:01 PM
Ryan,
I just want to clarify something, I don't "hate" anybody or anything, OK?
Chris H.
I may be a teensy bit paranoid though... :smile:
Okaaayyyy..... back on topic:
I'm actually sad the Birth Watch is over. I was hoping they'd keep it going until the Founders' Series was done. Anyhow, I'm sure they'll continue to comment on all things Tesla with their special brand of spin. It's kinda like reading the Onion. But with the Birth Watch over, I do think it overly pessimistic, even for them, to start a Death Watch.
Dogtown
05-19-2008, 03:21 PM
According to Tesla Comms Veep Darryl Siry, "Car #3 was delivered to someone (who prefers not to be named) who is not associated with the company on a day to day basis, but whose investment fund put money into Tesla very early."
This is Jeff Skoll formerly of eBay fame. I'm not sure why there is any mystery about this. Check out his Wiki entry under Other Interests. (I did not submit that info.)
Jeffrey Skoll - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Skoll)
This is also what we were told at the store opening at the beginning of the month. I do not count this as a real customer in any way. He still has great interest in the success of the company as a whole and not just about how the car is. It is not likely we will hear a honest review from him either.
What has put TTAC in a tizzy over Tesla is the fact that Siry committed to have TTAC road test the Roadster which has not materialised.
Cobos
05-20-2008, 05:20 AM
Which isn't to say it never will. When TTAC insists that they need to test things like recharge time and not beleive Dougs excellent description it just shows they don't trusts basic physics. I suppose they also test every gas cars fuel tank to check if the mfg is wrong on the size of the tank as well? With that kind of attitude I can easily understand why Siry doesn't want to bend over backwards to make sure they get a car early. When a big posts about the non-delivery of Martins car on ABG doesn't get any response I really can't see why TTAC should get any. After all ABG is right up there with Teslas core supporters and customers while TTAC definately is NOT.
After all if you make a big point about your journalistic integrity you better be prepared to not get review samples at all or very late (I beleive there was a saying about eating cake and keeping it).
Cobos
Well, it's not so much that Darryl committed and they're still waiting, but that Darryl casually committed and then 26 unnecessarily negative stories later he reneged saying that TTAC hadn't been objective enough (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-birth-watch-27-daryl-sirys-bad-karma/). Personally, I don't blame him. Anyhow, though entertaining, I don't think TTAC is that important. The review I'm waiting for is Clarkson and the Stig. Probably won't happen until they have a Euro spec roadster out.
I am so torn about a TG review.
No doubt The Stig would like a car that handles as well as the Roadster and the track time will be respectable. But I'm actually concerned they would give the Electric Car to Captain Slow as comic relief in a race.
JC also loves the vibration and noise from 10+ cylinders and I'm sure the charging time is ripe for abuse.
It's a great car, but it's different. Could go either way in a show that likes controversy.
I am so torn about a TG review.
No doubt The Stig would like a car that handles as well as the Roadster and the track time will be respectable. But I'm actually concerned they would give the Electric Car to Captain Slow as comic relief in a race.
JC also loves the vibration and noise from 10+ cylinders and I'm sure the charging time is ripe for abuse.
It's a great car, but it's different. Could go either way in a show that likes controversy.
My main concern would be if the batteries can hold up long enough to for what TG would want to do on the track. Recharge time isn't really an issue, unless they're stuck doing it between every other lap. And yes they could play that up for comedy. Given what the Roadster can do, though, I'd expect that the review would be balanced (overall) to very positive. They probably would do a race, with an Elise or Exige I'd bet. Clarkson will definitely miss the noise, but I think the main thing he cares about is whether or not he can get it to go sideways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7f4T1XOaf4
Well so it looks like TTAC has officially started their Tesla Death Watch. I think that's rather premature. They're already on story #2 (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/tesla-death-watch-2-money-for-nothing-and-your-evs-for-120k/), and it's not very interesting. Just copying what we've already read elsewhere. Oh well.
Great video. Thank you for including it.
Brings up a good point about the Lotus heritage of the Roadster. That gives it the local cred they sometimes employ.
...but I think the main thing he cares about is whether or not he can get it to go sideways.
Nice to know that they will have the two car settings to play with for power slides.
Maybe Tesla should send three identical cars to the TG test track. That way one is always on the track while the others are in states of charge.
malcolm
05-20-2008, 11:58 AM
Well with the price of a litre petrol or diesel increasing by about one penny per week in my neck of the woods (Birmingham) I think we may see Clarkson and Co. calling on automakers to pull their fingers out and get a bloody move on.
stopcrazypp
05-20-2008, 12:33 PM
Industry News: Tesla's Elon Musk Claims IPO To Come This Year (http://jalopnik.com/391961/teslas-elon-musk-claims-ipo-to-come-this-year)
Looks like jalopnik got bit by the vaporware bug. Now it seems like autoblog/autobloggreen is the only blog I frequent that doesn't feel that Tesla is vaporware. I don't even bother to do any kind of clarification anymore, I just let the commenters pat themselves in the back while predicting Tesla's demise; it's pointless because when the next bit of news comes the same people will come back. It's depressing.
Tesla damn well better be taking care of their customers and hurry up on the production. What is most important right now is their status in the eyes of customers and investors. What a few blogs are saying don't really matter as long as they are doing their job and on track. All the news recently, even the IPO, isn't that much positive news. They need some kind of big whitestar unvealing or some more positive news in production or the final drivetrain.
On the Top Gear review, I'm looking forward to it. But I hope they do it on the final drivetrain. It will be interesting because they absolutely hate EVs on that show.
They are not too fond of California, USA either.
Chris H.
05-20-2008, 04:38 PM
They are not too fond of California, USA either.
They do seem to like Lotus though, and Ariel.
Malc,
so you're a Brummie! I was in the Bull Ring a few years back, visiting the Canadian Consulate, and a long time ago I used to go to the stock car races in Coventry!
All the best,
Chris H.
malcolm
05-21-2008, 06:45 AM
Yeah, the Bull Ring looks a lot nicer now.
I don't think that TG absolutely hate EVs. They are always on the lookout for the comedy angle in their shows and unfortunately, punishment cars like the G-Wiz lend themselves all too easily to that approach:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv-RMbtKjLU
But a serious attempt like the Roadster will make them sit up and pay attention. And the Lotus angle is going to make any serious car buff take notice - not just the british ones.
stopcrazypp
05-22-2008, 03:14 PM
Yeah, the Bull Ring looks a lot nicer now.
I don't think that TG absolutely hate EVs. They are always on the lookout for the comedy angle in their shows and unfortunately, punishment cars like the G-Wiz lend themselves all too easily to that approach:
But a serious attempt like the Roadster will make them sit up and pay attention. And the Lotus angle is going to make any serious car buff take notice - not just the british ones.
Lol, I'm well aware that it's comedy in both in their skits about "green" cars and about Americans, that's why it's fun to watch, so don't take my comment about "hate" too seriously. But the image they try to put out is that they are against green cars. It'll just be funny when the Tesla brings conflicting angles into the equation. On the one hand, it's "green" and American, on the other, it's a great sports car and has British/Lotus engineering.
I bet the Roadster mertits a comment about how such an amazing car can avoid the congestion charges they have to deal with downtown.