Although I think that the Model X looks like a fantastic vehicle, Elon described it at the launch as rolling a minivan into the package of what the Model X is. To me, although a good idea, the Model X does not appear to really address that market segment as with full passenger load it looks to me like it would still have less storage space than a typical minivan and I'm not so sure how a full sized roof rack could work with the falcon wing doors.
At other times, Elon has discussed making an electric pickup truck. Electric motors are an obvious selling point given all their torque so if this were to be accomplished there is a huge market for that sort of thing and would take a ton of ICE pollution off the roads.
Looking at pickups and minivans, perhaps a similar length platform could be used for both. If they continue with the battery being floor mounted, such vehicles would also have a lot of space for a battery, thus could perhaps offer increased range, thus losing a lot of the "range anxiety" that the media keeps perpetuating, but that Model S owners keep saying isn't much of a problem at all for typical day to day driving.
I agree that the smaller sedan or coupe needs to be next, and somewhere in there a roadster replacement, but to me, it would seem that hitting the pickup and minivan market segments would also do a lot for removing pollution since these are common popular vehicles that often aren't the greatest when it comes to emissions.
I would be interested in hearing what people think about this, but it seems to me that Elon may (I stress, may because I'm not sure I really have heard all of his thoughts on this) be underestimating how many families would be interested in an all electric full size minivan or (south of the Mason-Dixon line in particular) pickup truck. Then again, it is usually an unwise decision to underestimate Elon.
It just seems to me that Tesla has such vehicles on the back burner, and if they want to take over market share I think they need to move up a bit.
Thoughts? Counterpoints? "Jane you ignorant slut?"
Cheers
At other times, Elon has discussed making an electric pickup truck. Electric motors are an obvious selling point given all their torque so if this were to be accomplished there is a huge market for that sort of thing and would take a ton of ICE pollution off the roads.
Looking at pickups and minivans, perhaps a similar length platform could be used for both. If they continue with the battery being floor mounted, such vehicles would also have a lot of space for a battery, thus could perhaps offer increased range, thus losing a lot of the "range anxiety" that the media keeps perpetuating, but that Model S owners keep saying isn't much of a problem at all for typical day to day driving.
I agree that the smaller sedan or coupe needs to be next, and somewhere in there a roadster replacement, but to me, it would seem that hitting the pickup and minivan market segments would also do a lot for removing pollution since these are common popular vehicles that often aren't the greatest when it comes to emissions.
I would be interested in hearing what people think about this, but it seems to me that Elon may (I stress, may because I'm not sure I really have heard all of his thoughts on this) be underestimating how many families would be interested in an all electric full size minivan or (south of the Mason-Dixon line in particular) pickup truck. Then again, it is usually an unwise decision to underestimate Elon.
It just seems to me that Tesla has such vehicles on the back burner, and if they want to take over market share I think they need to move up a bit.
Thoughts? Counterpoints? "Jane you ignorant slut?"
Cheers