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The strategy (to me) seems to place urgency of the blue star project perhaps higher than the X.
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As a Model X reservation holder, I even agree with this comment (*pain*). But there is an assumption here that Tesla can effectively choose between the two, as well as an assumption that their resources are sufficiently limited that they need to focus more on one than the other.
I agree with the latter assumption (that the resources necessitate focus on one or the other).
The first assumption - that either choice can be made and lead to success is the one I have doubts about. As I understand the Gen III project, achieving the sort of price level that will lead to mass market acceptance is primarily driven by the state of battery technology, both in the performance and in the price of the batteries. Do we have any reason to believe that Tesla can profitably build a $30-40k car with a Model S 60kWh like range "soon"?
My belief (no actual data to support) is that Tesla has a deeper insight into what's possible now (that seems reasonable), and what will be possible "soon", and their conclusion is that the mass market car is further away than any of us would like. So the choice isn't Model X or Gen III next - the choice is Model S with no new development for awhile, or Model X to fill out the line while we're all waiting for the battery technology to improve and continue to get cheaper. And then Gen III starts in a few years when the technology and cost structure will support the aspiration.
And thus the original master plan continues - build luxury high performance cars to reach the portions of the market that can afford the expense level that the technology currently requires, and use those as vehicles to fund the later generations, as well as create demand that pushes the technology in the desired direction. With Model X as the next expression.
I will also add that as much as we see Model S as a game changer, I don't think we've seen anything yet. Model X looks like the ultimate no-compromise car for the American consumer to me. Bigger and more spacious even than Model S, ridiculous performance for an SUV (and maybe just ridiculous performance period), AWD. Oh - and better "gas mileage" than anything else on the road that isn't all-electric. Or at least, that's what I see when I look at Model X.
Our car buying public is accustomed to think of SUV / crossovers as tradeoff cars. Get the space, AWD, etc.., but at the expense of what it costs to operate the thing. What if there's effectively no downside? I believe what I see on the road indicates that Americans prefer big cars when given the opportunity, and that opportunity is largely the price of gas. Take that away....
(heh - Looooonnngg TSLA)