GenIII, "We really need to find a better name for it"

[gjunky]

Elon said it during the last earnings call, we really should find a better name for the GenIII car. Here it goes then. Assuming we are staying withe the "Model -" type naming, I think it might make sense to call the GenIII line of cars the Model M.

We can then have variants:
Model MS = Sedan
Model MX = Crossover
Model MT = Truck

The question would be the next Roadster which I will guess gets it's own letter in Model R

[TEG]

"Gen3" (AKA "Bluestar") targets BMW 3 series.
Maybe just shorten it to G3 ?

G3S=Sedan
G3R=Roadster
G3X=Crossover
G3T=Truck

3 letter model names are common, for instance:
Mazda Rx8
Nissan GTR
Subaru WRX
Cadillac CTS
Acura NSX
Honda CRZ
Suzuki SX4
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes CLS
VW GLI
Volvo S60
etc...

[raymond]

G3S=Sedan
G3R=Roadster
G3X=Crossover
G3T=Truck

Too cryptic in my opinion. Now that we already have the Model S and Model X Tesla might want to find something that doesn't break with that (short) tradition. The roadster being called a Roadster is OK, and then new roadster can also simply be called Roadster.

For the foreseeable future Tesla doesn't need a dozen names - let's start with filling that 400,000/year NUMMI plant capacity. The Gen3 being the mass-market car, I still think Model T would be great.

Who knew - I didn't - that the predecessor to the Ford Model T was the Ford Model S?

[AnOutsider]

Been discussed on the boards quite a bit (ford model s). I'm still in favor of Model T myself.

[dsm363]

Does Ford still have a copyright on Model T somehow? It's been over 100 years though.

[mklcolvin]

How about Model C (for compact - or cool)?

[mklcolvin]

You know, I think that car companies these days like to use short alphanumeric (nonsensical) names, just so that they don't end up with names like Prizm, Equus, or Yaris. Sounds like characters in an old Godzilla movie!:tongue: But you also end up with bad naming schemes like the entire Lincoln MKzzz lineup. That said, I do miss some of the more evocative nameplates like Legend, Continental, and even "Wagoneer".

Also, I just thought of this one - Tesla Model J (named after the Duesenberg Model J of 1928 - best car of it's time).

[ryanjm]

I posted in the other Gen3 thread but will chime in here too. I think Model T is too closely identified with Ford. I'd suggest Model E, which can stand for both Economy (internally) and Everyone (for marketing purposes).

[PeterW]

I think Model T is too closely identified with Ford.

Isn't that the point?

The Ford Model T was the first truly mass market car.

The Tesla Model T will be the modern equivalent for EV's.

[raymond]

The Model C and Model E for me are too much linked with the Mercedes C-class and E-class.

Naming cars is not all that easy in an international market. The Mazda MR2 (french pron. "em-er-deux", sounding like "merde"); Chevy Nova (no-va = won't go); Ford Pinto (something with small genitals in Spanish?) and the list goes on and on.

After the Roadster and Model S and X, made-up names would not be a logical follow-up. Keeping with the Model # moniker maximizes the reputation carry-over from the Gen II to Gen III.

One other option would be to go with a "Model S2" (smaller S), "Model S3" (nod to BMW), etc. They could keep the S for sedans, X for cross-overs and e.g. a C for a Coupe.

I guess it's time for a focus group!

[ryanjm]

Isn't that the point?

The Ford Model T was the first truly mass market car.

The Tesla Model T will be the modern equivalent for EV's.

Most of America is dumb. If Tesla puts out a Model T I would almost guarantee that the average consumer would think, "Oh, Ford revived the Model T?" Tesla doesn't want that to happen, obviously.

[stopcrazypp]

I put my vote in for Model T also (association with Ford be damned).


Does Ford still have a copyright on Model T somehow? It's been over 100 years though.
They recently put in an application for the trademark in late 2009 (most likely as response to Tesla's application for Model S in early 2009, given Ford used to own that trademark too, since the car before the Model T was the Model S). As I mentioned in a previous discussion, Ford has yet to prove commercial usage of the trademark (they can't unless they make a new car with the Model T name) and the deadline to do so is early 2013. I think Tesla has a decent chance of taking the trademark if they wanted to.
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/9194-Gen-III-Range-amp-Pricing-Speculation?p=168503&viewfull=1#post168503


The Model C and Model E for me are too much linked with the Mercedes C-class and E-class.
I don't think that's much of an issue. Model S could have been linked to the Mercedes S-class but so far there's no issue.


The Mazda MR2 (french pron. "em-er-deux", sounding like "merde")
This reminds me of the Audi e-tron (which has a similar alternate meaning in French).

[TEG]

The Mazda MR2 (french pron. "em-er-deux", sounding like "merde");

Um, er. MR2 is is Toyota product, not Mazda.

[raymond]

Um, er. MR2 is is Toyota product, not Mazda.

Is *is* Toyota? Ha! So there! :-)

[gjunky]

How about Model C (for compact - or cool)?

I thought modem M for Mid-Sized car and keep the Model C for an even smaller compact later.

[ETM]

"Gen3" (AKA "Bluestar") targets BMW 3 series.
Maybe just shorten it to G3 ?

G3S=Sedan
G3R=Roadster
G3X=Crossover
G3T=Truck

personally i really like those, i think they flow nicely. i am not to opinionated about the names though.

[Norbert]

"RoadRunner" ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rr90w5h4KQ&feature=endscreen

8543

(Meep. Meep.)

[Grendal]

"Gen3" (AKA "Bluestar") targets BMW 3 series.
Maybe just shorten it to G3 ?

G3S=Sedan
G3R=Roadster
G3X=Crossover
G3T=Truck


I like this too. But shorten it even more to:

3S=Sedan
3R=Roadster
3X=Crossover
3T=Truck

Yes? No?

[Grendal]

"RoadRunner" ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rr90w5h4KQ&feature=endscreen

8543

(Meep. Meep.)

Sorry to rain on your parade, Plymouth already did it. 1968-1980.

[Norbert]

Sorry to rain on your parade, Plymouth already did it. 1968-1980.

Was it a success? ;) I'll take it as a confirmation of the idea. Maybe its far enough in the past to be do-able nevertheless. :)

[TEG]

http://www.musclecarmetal.com/1970Superbird.jpg

[brianman]

"Beep" not "Meep"? Interesting.

[Norbert]

"Beep" not "Meep"? Interesting.

"Beep" is the official version.

[Norbert]

http://www.musclecarmetal.com/1970Superbird.jpg

Tesla Model S passing a Superbird at 9:34 to 9:39 of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OQTgF0oK4k

(Tesla co-pilot is pointing out it was a Superbird at 9:40.)

[Rifleman]

On a side note, when I was born, I was brought home from the Hospital in a 1974 Plymouth Roadrunner, so even though I have no memory of that car, the Roadrunner has always had a special place in my life.

[vfx]

I like Bluestar.

And I still like Whitestar better than Model S


:)

[GSP]

I like Darkstar, Whitestar, and Bluestar as well, but how does the "Tesla T" sound?

GSP

PS. The horn on the Plymouth Road Runner made the same "beep-beep" sound as the cartoon. A nice touch, I think.

[jerry33]

I like Darkstar, Whitestar, and Bluestar as well, but how does the "Tesla T" sound?

It sounds like either an article of clothing or a sports peripheral.:smile:

[raymond]

It's so obvious! How to call a sedan that's smaller than the "Model S"? It's a "Model s"!

Now that will confuse most car databases!

[VolkerP]

Or you could use font size: Model S

[vfx]

...how does the "Tesla T" sound?

....


Like somtin' Jed Clampet came upon.

[Rezallak]

IMO the obvious choice is the Model E, because it's the electric car for everybody. Could be a great part of driving the electric part home to consumers who have never heard of Tesla. Messing with "Model T" is stupid IMO.

[vfx]

E is the best letter choice.

[Mogwai]

I vote for Model E! E for Electric, E for Everyone, E for Esquire!

[Grendal]

I vote for Model E! E for Electric, E for Everyone, E for Esquire!

E for Exceptional! If it's to be a letter, like the S, then I think the Model E is best too. I think I said I'd like the Model E for its name in my first post on the forum.

[Rifleman]

I also like Model E

[mnx]

I don't like Model T, because of it's affiliation with a 100 year old Ford. But I think Tesla T would be alright...

[vfx]

I also like Model E

Since the Model S is so Jag-like, might as well call the next car something close to the E Type. Shift+R improves the quality of this image. Shift+A improves the quality of all images on this page.

[Teslawisher]

If Model E is to stand for "electric", "everyone", etc., what did the Model S stand for? As far as I'm aware, it was "sedan". The Model X for crossover. This next car will be a mid-sized sedan, so I'm thinking (in keeping with the nomencalture so far), Model M.

[action7981]

so I'm thinking (in keeping with the nomencalture so far), Model M.

Model M gets my vote. BMW uses 'M' to indicate their higher performance, Tesla could market it as "Our entry level mid-size sedan starts at M."

[Mogwai]

What's wrong with just calling it Bluestar?

[AnOutsider]

What's wrong with just calling it Bluestar?

#1 that was never their name
#2 doesn't really go with the naming conventions they've started with S and X

[vfx]

#1 that was never their name

It always was to me.

[Lloyd]

How about

T4E = Tesla for Everyone !!

[Norbert]

It always was to me.

Bluestar is a great codename. But it really is a codename.

[vfx]

Bluestar is a great codename....

Thank you!
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080771/)

[Eberhard]

Thank you!
(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080771/)

Why not Bluestar?

The Tesla Roadster is named Tesla Roadster 2.5 (in the Version of 2.5) and not Model R

Mode S is Model S because it is the Sedan

and Bluestar keep the name as it is "Bluestar"

[jerry33]

I like Bluestar but the problem is what happens to the name in other languages. For example, in Japan to be blue sometimes has a connotation similar to greenhorn (You're new at it so please make allowances for not being very good). So while not very imaginative, the letter or letter-number combination has the least language implications. Of course, you don't want 4219 as a model name either.

[spleen]

Of course, you don't want 4219 as a model name either.

LOL! Jerry, you must speak Japanese. (for those that don't, "4219" spelled out in Japanese can also mean "I go to die" - truly an inauspicious name for a car)

[art]

hi guys new member. gen 3 new name model t.e.e. short for a model of tesla electrical excellence. just a thought. have fun.

[kcveins]

hi guys new member. gen 3 new name model t.e.e. short for a model of tesla electrical excellence. just a thought. have fun.

In my business that would be a not-fun test (TEE - TransEsophageal Echocardiogram) :scared:

[Larry Chanin]

I like:

8980 nextGEN

Larry

[TEG]

Um, with that Trek like Tesla logo font...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bb/TNGopeninglogo.png/250px-TNGopeninglogo.png

[Larry Chanin]

Um, with that Trek like Tesla logo font...
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bb/TNGopeninglogo.png/250px-TNGopeninglogo.png

Yes, the Tesla logo font would work well. :wink:

Larry

[Liz G]

Assuming Tesla will continue with their alphabet naming scheme here is a list of names they should immediately discard:

Model F - a failure obviously
Model Y - why buy this car
Model L - heLL
Model P - remember to cross your legs while driving


On the serious side Model E has my vote.

[al_chumley]

I like the Model T connotations, but to avoid confusion, how about Model ET :-)

I was thinking "Tesla AC" might be a cool name for one of their cars.

[Robert.Boston]

I like the Model T connotations, but to avoid confusion, how about Model ET :-)
They'll need to upgrade to a 4G connection on that model. :biggrin:

[ETM]

I like the Model T connotations, but to avoid confusion, how about Model ET :-)


I was thinking "Tesla AC" might be a cool name for one of their cars.

o yeah those are my initials! The Model ET, it's out of this world." :wink::biggrin::tongue:

[Kevin Harney]

o yeah those are my initials! The Model ET, it's out of this world." :wink::biggrin::tongue:

Yeah I don't think they need to be referencing little green men LOL or in this case little brown blobs :eek:

[dsm363]

In the Twitter conversation going on with Elon Musk on Japolnik, he calls it an 'E' as in Model E.

Ask Elon Musk Anything You Want About Nikola Tesla, Tesla Motors, And SpaceX (http://m.jalopnik.com/5939228/ask-elon-musk-anything-you-want-about-nikola-tesla-tesla-motors-and-spacex)

[ryanjm]

I the Twitter conversation going on with Elon Musk on Japolnik, he calls it an 'E' as in Model E.

Ask Elon Musk Anything You Want About Nikola Tesla, Tesla Motors, And SpaceX (http://m.jalopnik.com/5939228/ask-elon-musk-anything-you-want-about-nikola-tesla-tesla-motors-and-spacex)

Just came to post this. His exact quote is: "There will definitely be more models after the S and X. Maybe an E :)"

Note the smiley face. I think this is the name of the car. Elon has either been reading this forum or, more likely, just been thinking along the same lines as many of us who have suggested Model E in this thread.

[brianman]

It's probably a good thing that they are building the X before the E.

SXE vs. ...

[Grendal]

That works for me. The Model E. It sounds like the Tesla management has talked about it.

[dsm363]

That works for me. The Model E. It sounds like the Tesla management has talked about it.

Me too. I think they should break the one letter naming scheme with the next gen Roadster and keep the Roadster name but I like Model E. Bluestar is better though.

[mulder1231]

It's probably a good thing that they are building the X before the E.

SXE vs. ...

No, that would have been cool, if followed by a Model Y--may be for the supercar (Y being why?)

[brianman]

No, that would have been cool, if followed by a Model Y--may be for the supercar (Y being why?)
The glyph that you think is a Y is actually just a sketch rendition of the flux capacitor.

[Robert.Boston]

I'm pretty sure that Elon was engaging in a bit of adolescent humor with the Model E suggestion, as the natural progression of "S" and "X".

[domenick]

I'm pretty sure that Elon was engaging in a bit of adolescent humor with the Model E suggestion, as the natural progression of "S" and "X".

Exactly. Thank you, sir.

[VolkerP]

No, that would have been cool, if followed by a Model Y--may be for the supercar (Y being why?)

The Model Y would be the next gen Roadster. It targets the Y chromosome holders.

[Grendal]

The Model Y would be the next gen Roadster. It targets the Y chromosome holders.

Okay. Now we're getting ridiculous. The Model S - E - X and Y....

On second thought....

[TEG]

Tesla Plans Two More Launches: A Smaller Crossover SUV, Sports Car | Autopia | Wired.com (http://blog-admin.wired.com/autopia/2012/09/tesla-sports-car-compact-cuv/)

...it will not be called the Model E. “I was joking when I said ‘Model E,’” Musk told Wired...

[Grendal]

Confirmation of Robert Boston's earlier statement on this thread:

Based on Tesla’s third-generation platform, Musk vowed the car will “look great and perform better than anything in its price range,” adding that it will not be called the Model E. “I was joking when I said ‘Model E,’” Musk told Wired.

Back to the speculation people...

Oooo that TEG is quick....

[jeffhre]

Sorry to rain on your parade, Plymouth already did it. 1968-1980.

Perhaps it would be used to signify the new 3rd largest car company in the US?

[JRP3]

I have to put my vote in against "Model T". It immediately brings up images of old, slow, outdated ICE technology and Ford motor company. Hard to imagine any worse connections for the Gen3 car. Model E would have worked for me. After all, "E" in l33t is 3 :biggrin:

[art]

how about T 3

[byt]

The Model E for economical

[AnOutsider]

The Model E for economical

Elon basically said no to that.

[Grendal]

The Model E for economical

Read the top two posts on this same page.

[byt]

Yes yes, but I defined it! ;)

[aronth5]

Elon said it during the last earnings call, we really should find a better name for the GenIII car. Here it goes then. Assuming we are staying withe the "Model -" type naming, I think it might make sense to call the GenIII line of cars the Model M.

We can then have variants:
Model MS = Sedan
Model MX = Crossover
Model MT = Truck

The question would be the next Roadster which I will guess gets it's own letter in Model R

I still like the suggestion that started this thread by gjunky. However my reasoning is that Elon usually refers to the the next generation car as the car for the "masses". (i.e. everyone) So I'm going with Model M with the license plate of "M4EV1"

[Raffy.Roma]

I thought modem M for Mid-Sized car and keep the Model C for an even smaller compact later.

I think this would a good idea.

[gjunky]

So I'm going with Model M with the license plate of "M4EV1"

I like it!

[Teslawisher]

If Model E is to stand for "electric", "everyone", etc., what did the Model S stand for? As far as I'm aware, it was "sedan". The Model X for crossover. This next car will be a mid-sized sedan, so I'm thinking (in keeping with the nomencalture so far), Model M.

Model M still my favorite.

But... Being GenIII what about naming it Model 3 or Model III. Also gives a not so subtle smack to BMW M3. hehehe

[Raffy.Roma]

At this point I think we should make a poll among TMC members.The poll could be like this:

Would you like GenIII be named:

1 Model E

2 Model M

3 Model T

I don't think it useful to put numbers in the multiple choice. It is very clear that Tesla is going to use letters for next cars (Model S, Model X, Model R and so on).

[aronth5]

At this point I think we should make a poll among TMC members.The poll could be like this:

Would you like GenIII be named:

1 Model E

2 Model M

3 Model T

I don't think it useful to put numbers in the multiple choice. It is very clear that Tesla is going to use letters for next cars (Model S, Model X, Model R and so on).

Yes, a poll would be great. Then I could vote for Model E (E=for everyone)

[ElSupreme]

Yes, a poll would be great. Then I could vote for Model E (E=for everyone)

E is probably not going to happen. S X and E. As cool as a company is that has their stereo max out at 11 is probably wouldn't do that.

I doubt Ford would let Model T fly either.

[aronth5]

E is probably not going to happen. S X and E. As cool as a company is that has their stereo max out at 11 is probably wouldn't do that.

I doubt Ford would let Model T fly either.

I knew that was coming:smile:

[constraint]

pretty sure the model t will involve a lawsuit that TM will lose against Ford.

Just sayin

[Norbert]

Wonder what Ford would say to "Electric T".

[favo]

How about Model 3? Kinda looks like an E. Also a nod at BMW 3-series. I suppose, technically, it should be Model 4 (Roadster, S, X, ...), an in one better than 3-series. :smile: I also like Model M ('cause I'd like to see a Model M Perf as an M3-killer). M for Mass Market, Mid-size Monster.

[brianman]

I doubt Ford would let Model T fly either.
I bet if Tesla could make a flying car, figuring something out with Ford regarding the name would be child's play.

[Vexar]

I bet if Tesla could make a flying car, figuring something out with Ford regarding the name would be child's play.

Don't dig up the flying car, please! 20 years ago, I was all excited about Arthur Moeller's work out in Davis, CA. Now, I can see that the flying car is a legal nightmare. I'm still a little heartbroken about how this panned out. We won't see flying cars, unless every driver gets a pilot's license.

After 7 days with my Model S, I can say that energy density for batteries would have to be wicked for that to make any sense.

[anticitizen13.7]

How about Model 3? Kinda looks like an E. Also a nod at BMW 3-series. I suppose, technically, it should be Model 4 (Roadster, S, X, ...), an in one better than 3-series. :smile: I also like Model M ('cause I'd like to see a Model M Perf as an M3-killer). M for Mass Market, Mid-size Monster.

Model M for "Mass Market Mid-size Monster" sounds good to me:smile: