TEG

Some possible 'S customers' could consider Fisker or even Volt as an alternative even though they aren't 'pure EV'.

graham

6 months is not that long a time. I don't think it will hurt to the extent that Model S will not be a viable car. However, I think much of the appeal of both the Roadster and the Model S has been because there has been little to no competition. The longer the delay, the more difficult the market will be. Many plug-in cars are coming around the 2010/2011 time frame. Even though most are not pure-EV, I think the mass market will be more interested in plug-in hybrids for the short term.

I wonder if this also delays Bluestar?

WarpedOne

Sure, but their combined production in first year won't reach 10.000 cars.
You think, there ain't enough buyers in USA, Europe, Asia tu buy them all?

More models from different makers will only add credit to the whole concept of driving without gas. Competition will become a "problem", when market could'nt take it anymore - in 10 years or so.

__________________
Waiting for the WhiteStar
Not waiting for the WhiteStar anymore
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Cobos

I do see your point, but there will be some advantage to being the first to market. And I bet the Model S and Karma will essentially be competing for the same customers. I was looking forward to the Model S and with it being even more delayed I might end up with something less spectacular but fitting for my needs. We'll see closer to 2010 I suppose :)

Cobos

flabby

I was told by some Tesla staff today that one of the reasons for the model S delay is because of the current financial markets. It was said that the company was undervalued when seeking investment capital, so they have decided to not seek investment capital for now. The same market trends could very well affect other EV and Hybrid car makers, only other carmakers don't have a product out (or Elon's deep pockets) to bring in working capital.

flabby

Not really on hold. They're still working on it. They also said that even though the car will be delayed, they don't expect the car's introduction to be delayed.

TEG

Well, OK

It sounded like at least some of it was put on hold when they said: "The net result will be a delay in start of production of the Model S of roughly six months to mid-2011."

Isn't it already delayed?. Previous comments had suggested that the unveiling was to to be this year not next. ("...hope to unveil it in the second quarter of this year. ")
Another reference here

Cobos

I see this as an advantage in comparison with the Karma and Lightening and such cars. But BMW surprise announcement of a EV Mini THIS year means you shouldn't write off them at least announcing a EV or PHEV BMW by the time you can actually get Model S delivered. Not to mention the Volt will either come out more or less on target or GM will be broke, in which case all bets are off... So interesting times as the Chinese will say.

Cobos

Cobos

TEG: I beleive Flabby is refering to the "new" announcement date of within Q2 2009 :( I would have much more prefered now, but I suppose I'm part of the instant gratification crowd...

Cobos

flabby

Well, I'm not sure about dates, but I did ask them specifically if the introduction of Model S would be delayed because the production date was delayed. I was told that they didn't plan on any delay for the introduction. I guess I should have asked for timelines.