Will Tesla do a press conference or a media event for the Alphbuild? [Archive] - Tesla Motors Club

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Fr23shjive

12-20-2010, 01:42 PM

Im sure most of us are aware that Tesla planned on releasing the Alpha build by the end of 2010. Well we're about 11 days away from the end of the year and no world has been made on whether they're going to do it or not.

My question is are they even going to make the Alpha build public? I highly doubt that Tesla would make a press release in Novermber 2010 about having the Alpha build being done by the end of 2010 and then not be able to accomplish their goal.

Kevin Harney

12-20-2010, 02:17 PM

Obviously you are new around here LOL Tesla does that all the time. Have they made a single deadline yet :D ?

qwk

12-20-2010, 02:25 PM

If anything, they will do it at the Detroit auto show in January.

12-20-2010, 03:56 PM

I think you are correct qwk. For those of us following Model S development, the time between end of 2010 and Detroit auto show is a nano-second. My concern is it drags on into Q2 2011 or beyond.

Jaff

12-20-2010, 05:28 PM

I think that you're right on this call q...I wish I could find out for sure if the Alpha build will be there.
I usually go to the Toronto show, but TM won't be there this year (according to the TM Toronto office)...disappointing if the Alpha makes it to Detroit, but not to Toronto as the Toronto show is only a few weeks later.

I'd drive the 4 hours to Detroit to see the Model S Alpha build...

If anything, they will do it at the Detroit auto show in January.

JRod0802

12-21-2010, 08:38 AM

If anything, they will do it at the Detroit auto show in January.

I also think you're right. If I remember correctly, they mentioned that it would be there in their Q3 2010 investors conference call.

12-22-2010, 01:19 PM

http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1050200_2012-tesla-model-s-all-electric-sedan-progress-and-schedule

Another rehashing of the SEC filing and Alpha build schedule.

kgb

12-24-2010, 05:02 AM

A Morgan Stanley report last month said that the Model S (pictured, right) would be exhibited at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Games Beat (http://venturebeat.com/2010/12/23/when-lockup-expires-monday-could-teslas-stock-drop-short-sellers-think-so/)

dsm363

12-24-2010, 09:53 AM

They plan to ramp up to 500,000 vehicles on the Model S? Not sure if those numbers are accurate but good to know it'll be shown at the Detroit Auto Show.

Adm

12-24-2010, 11:56 PM

I think numbers are being mixed up.

I understand that 100'000 cars are to be produced p.a. on the Model S platform (Model S, Model X, convertible and a commercial vehicle). Bluestar would be 400'000 p.a., but that's a number I haven't seen yet.

01-02-2011, 09:20 AM

Any updates on the alpha build release? Two weeks before NAIAS (http://www.naias.com/) is open to the public.

AnOutsider

01-02-2011, 07:04 PM

Any updates on the alpha build release? Two weeks before NAIAS (http://www.naias.com/) is open to the public.

I saw a comment on Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/02/tesla-assures-57k-model-s-will-be-profitable-sexy-looking-too/#comment-123241436) earlier that indicates the Alphas are done (internally anyways):

Working as part of the Model S mfg team, I can tell you it is a single unit. Don't take the #s below as gospel, I'm being purposely vague - I'm sure you understand. ;^)

Cells → modules → packs. X# of [Panasonic] cells become a module, Y# of modules become a pack. Packs are bolted to the underside of the body with 30-something bolts.

I wouldn't give a direct correlation of a battery-swap to an engine swap. Compared to an engine, the battery-pack is quite large & unwieldy. Most of the people doing engine swaps at home are swapping V8s, which generally go in from above, with a hoist. So you're only lifting the weight of the engine (300-700lbs). (Here, we're completely ignoring the fact that ppl who spend Mercedes-money on a car are not the type of ppl who do engine swaps in their driveway... :^) ).

If you wanted to swap a battery pack at home, 1st, you'd need to be able to receive something that weighs over 1000lbs., and has a footprint of something like 6ft x 8ft - not realistic in most ppl's homes. Then you'd need to support both the battery pack & the body - separately, of course, since you're removing it - the body weighing in at over 2000lbs (thanks to lots of Aluminum). Then you have to roll one or the other away - now, using three times the footprint of the vehicle. Then do it all again, in reverse.

You really need a vehicle lift to remove the pack. It will be interesting to see the possible infrastructure develop around swappable packs. If you want to mirror the ICE infrastructure, then this is the way to go. But, I think we need to evolve from that allegory. I'm not going to postulate on what that could be - I work in process & internal logistics planning, not power-train engineering - but I joined Tesla to be part of this exciting future.

I just got to see the 1st Alpha proto run.... And, boy, did that thing run! The production vehicle will be as sexy as the red/silver rollers in all the photos. So awesome....

-bZj

qwk

01-02-2011, 07:13 PM

That last statement in bold got me excited! Can't wait.

01-03-2011, 07:05 AM

I saw a comment on Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/02/tesla-assures-57k-model-s-will-be-profitable-sexy-looking-too/#comment-123241436) earlier that indicates the Alphas are done (internally anyways):

Thanks for posting this. 30+ bolts? How can a battery swap be done in 1 minute?

I do lots of work on my vehicles; but would not attempt a battery swap. The pack weight is enough to flatten a person. At least this bodes well for battery pack anti-theft protection. :biggrin:

Fr23shjive

01-03-2011, 08:32 AM

I called one of the sales people at Tesla and he confirmed that the Model S will be at the Detroit auto show. I don't remember his name so you'll have to take my word for it.

At least we only have to wait less than 2 weeks to see if he was right or not.

dsm363

01-03-2011, 09:18 AM

I think they're quoted a 5 min battery sway in the past. The battery swap really won't be an issue since there won't be anywhere swap the battery other than a Tesla store.

AnOutsider

01-03-2011, 09:36 AM

I think they're quoted a 5 min battery sway in the past. The battery swap really won't be an issue since there won't be anywhere swap the battery other than a Tesla store.

Unless battery swap stations become run of the mill. I could see it becoming like the propane tank rental spots.

dsm363

01-03-2011, 10:02 AM

Unless battery swap stations become run of the mill. I could see it becoming like the propane tank rental spots.

I think that'd be great and hopefully it'll happen some day. Maybe in the future but I can't see that there will be enough electric vehicles in the next 5-10 years to make battery swap stations feasible especially since they'd need to support batteries from multiple manufacturers. If all electric vehicles shared a common battery that could be swapped like project better place is trying to do, then it'll happen faster. I think quick charging stations placed in-between major cities in 50-100 mile increments will happen sooner and be cheaper but that's just a guess on my part of course.

01-03-2011, 11:01 AM

The Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/02/tesla-assures-57k-model-s-will-be-profitable-sexy-looking-too/#comment-123241436) article contains a comment from someone who claims to be "Working as part of the Model S mfg team".

Anyone know if this is accurate? I rarely see direct feedback from TM employees or at the very least, they do not put themselves out in this manner. Usually remaining anonymous. The TM blog rarely has questions answered except by other posters. Perhaps some are TM employees?

Fr23shjive

01-03-2011, 11:47 AM

01-03-2011, 12:28 PM

The guy seems legit. If you click on his profile it brings up his twitter and he has picture of himself with the Model S prototype, a picture from the Tesla X-mas party...etc.

Thanks for setting me straight. I also see he has a Model S Alpha build t-shirt.

PopSmith

01-03-2011, 12:32 PM

Thanks for posting this. 30+ bolts? How can a battery swap be done in 1 minute?

I do lots of work on my vehicles; but would not attempt a battery swap. The pack weight is enough to flatten a person. At least this bodes well for battery pack anti-theft protection. :biggrin:

The biggest worry I'd have with a swappable-pack isn't theft of the pack itself (due to the weight) but the theft of the bolts holding the pack in place as a way to cause mischief.

qwk

01-03-2011, 12:44 PM

The biggest worry I'd have with a swappable-pack isn't theft of the pack itself (due to the weight) but the theft of the bolts holding the pack in place as a way to cause mischief.

Jacking up a car to take bolts out(assuming the car doesn't have a 4x4 stance) is a lot of work to go through to cause mischief. Lug nuts would be much easier and quicker.

AnOutsider

01-03-2011, 01:16 PM

Jacking up a car to take bolts out(assuming the car doesn't have a 4x4 stance) is a lot of work to go through to cause mischief. Lug nuts would be much easier and quicker.

taking it further, it's not like you can't pop the hood of a conventional ICE and pop out the battery or any number of other things.

JRod0802

01-04-2011, 06:18 AM

Any updates on the alpha build release? Two weeks before NAIAS (http://www.naias.com/) is open to the public.

I see on the NAIAS (http://www.naias.com/) site that the show is on the following dates:

January 10-11: Press Preview
January 12-13: Industry Preview
January 14: Charity Preview
January 15-23: Public Show

Does this mean that we'll be getting info on the Model S on January 10th (since that's when the press is there), or on January 15th (since that's when it's public)?

Does anyone know?

qwk

01-04-2011, 07:10 AM

Hopefully on the 10th.

JRod0802

01-04-2011, 04:40 PM

Fr23shjive

01-04-2011, 05:18 PM

According to this thread (http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/4876-Anyone-seen-this-Sorry-if-its-already-posted..) the Model S might make an even earlier appearance (http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Tesla-Motors-Model-S-to-Feature-NVIDIA-Tegra-Processors-NASDAQ-NVDA-1375241.htm) at CES (http://www.cesweb.org/) (which begins on the 6th).

From the press release:
"CES 2011 attendees will be able to view the Model S outside the Las Vegas Convention Center in the Central Plaza, booth # CP7."

Considering it'll be showing off an upgraded infotainment / navigation system, I wonder if it'll be the alpha build...

I assumed it was going to be the Alpha build. The prototype had a navigation system but IIRC it wasnt working and was mostly for looks only, no function. They said they were going to be finished with the alpha build at the end of 2010 so I would think they're going to start making the rounds of big shows. First the CES and then the Detroit auto show.

TEG

01-04-2011, 06:05 PM

They may not show "Alpha build" until Detroit.

I think CES may have the familiar early (red) prototype with updated screen hardware.

http://blogs.nvidia.com/2011/01/checking-in-from-ces-2011-in-las-vegas/
At CES:
http://blogs.nvidia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/tesla-in-person.jpg
http://blogs.nvidia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/tesla-in-person-charging.jpg

JRod0802

01-05-2011, 05:01 AM

I looked a little more at the NAIAS site, and found the date/time of the Tesla Press Conference (http://naias.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=556).

From the Article:
Monday, January 10, 2011
...
3:30-3:55 pm MINI
4:05-4:30 pm Tesla
4:35-5:00 pm Jeep
...

JRod0802

01-06-2011, 11:43 AM

In case there was any doubt, this link (http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/01/tesla-wants-some-engineering-cred/) confirms that the alpha build will be at the Detroit Auto Show.

From the Article:
Elon Musk’s upstart automaker rolls into the Detroit auto show with an “alpha build” of the Model S sedan.