Hype Machine

BBHighway · 03-24-2008, 08:26 PM

Wired Magazine's very negative article on ZAP:

Hype Machine: Searching for ZAP's Fleet of No-Show Green Cars

And another one:

Don't Get Zapped by All Zap's Hype | Autopia from Wired.com

I never really understood why so many people would be so negative about Tesla, claiming they were just vaporware, and somehow dishonest, etc. I guess I see now where that comes from.

siry · 03-25-2008, 12:24 AM

It's about time...

TEG · 03-25-2008, 12:26 AM

Lets hope that Tesla changes those perceptions and shows how to do it right.

vfx · 03-25-2008, 06:55 AM

The idea of them using the "Green" aspect" as a a "hands off shield makes me sick to my stomach.

Now let's see a similar expose on these guys: Hybrid Technologies | changing the world by reinventing power

Does not take too much digging...

DDB · 03-25-2008, 07:17 AM

How long is it until the ZAP execs are prosecuted by the feds? I'm not knowledgeable about securities law, but something smacks of criminal intent there. It's a well written and thorough story.

Wired chronologized exactly what everyone suspected, but supported it. Anyone that reads that story will no doubt walk the other direction. So what will ZAP do? Declare bankruptcy [again]? Sell out [cheaply] to another competitor [Mr. Papp]? Create a shell company?

The Zap-X is a darn good looking car, and Lotus is tied to it. Arguably, Zap has an interest in that car. I'd think SOMEONE out there would be interested in buying the idea...

TEG · 03-25-2008, 09:21 AM

Paul Moller and his (non) flying car
Moller M200G hovercraft heading into production - Engadget
Purchase
Complaint: Moller International, Inc., and Paul S. Moller

Iz · 03-25-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

The Zap-X is a darn good looking car

Same here. I've always thought ZAP-X would be a vehicle in a class all it's own.

ZAP may have good intentions but not a great business model. The articles point to Tesla as a positive example of realistic range and recharge time given today's technology.

DDB · 03-25-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEG

Paul Moller and his (non) flying car
Moller M200G hovercraft heading into production - Engadget
Purchase
Complaint: Moller International, Inc., and Paul S. Moller

And yet he still exists: ::MOLLER::. It's been my personal experience with cons that unless someone with time and money, AND willpower, chooses to independently bring someone like Moller down, these guys linger out there forever. We had just that happen with a local guy around town that sold property to people in a screwy land sale arrangement. Lessees thought they were buying homes, and essentially this guy would evict the tenant after so many years even without cause. It wasn't my case and I can't speak to details, but I do know even lawyers around town were afraid of him because he knew just enough legal loopholes to be dangerous. We ended up with a $60-80K judgment and he was deemed a vexatious litigatior, but not before even I was sued (TWICE) just for being employed at my firm. This and of course years of litigation and tens of thousands of dollars of cash fronted by my firm's partner. Same deal with these nuts. They know enough to be dangerous.

AGR · 03-25-2008, 01:42 PM

Tesla has the very best electric car that is available, its the reason the Tesla Roadster has been capturing peoples hearts and imagination.

Back to the same story, the sooner Tesla starts to deliver Roadsters, the sooner Tesla gets in the car business the better it will be. The more compelling the leadership position will be for Tesla.

Today its very easy to create an image, build hype, and whatever else goes along with it. Every major auto show takes a green twist, every manufacturer talks green, every one as a pilot project here or there to promote their interests.

The Tesla Roadster creates an halo for many folks, other manufacturers, and reinforces the credibility in electric cars.

Cobos · 03-25-2008, 02:18 PM

I completely agree with you AGR, the Roadster is a perfect Halo car, but as most Halo cars it's actual sales volume and value is rather limited. Nothing wrong with that in many ways, as the exclusivity is kind of what makes it a successfull Halo car. But as has been mentioned, releasing the new Whitestar on the same day as the CARB meeting would sort of underscore the point Tesla is making, that these new cars are here, NOW. Not possibly in 2015, but right here and right now. Both Think and Tesla is mass-producing cars right now with lots of buyers.

Cobos

(the fact that I really really want to see the Whitestar of course has nothing to do with this advice :-) )