I'm a relative n00b here, so I apologize if this has already been rehashed elsewhere on the forums, but I just wanted to get everyone's thoughts about what the potential affect the early DOE loan payoff could have on Tesla's public perception among those that might not be considered among its "typical" demographic/psychographic.
I consider myself relatively politically conservative (libertarian-leaning) but have been a big fan and enthusiast of Tesla from day one. Having been an automotive journalist for over a decade, I found it interesting to see the PR boost that Ford got from not taking a bailout, and I think Tesla will receive (if it hasn't already) a similar boost from paying off its DOE loans early.
I cringed during the debates when Romney lumped Tesla in with the "losers," knowing the inaccuracy of that statement, just like "All Jeep production is going to China."
Although conservatives are often stereotyped as driving big, gas-guzzling V-8 SUVs, I think there are many that are concerned about our energy policy, if not for CO2 emissions per se, for foreign oil dependence (although that seems like it's rapidly becoming a moot point). I think it was a brilliant move by Musk and Tesla to get the DOE loans paid off, and proving that a new-tech car company can get on its own two feet, free of Uncle Sam's wallet.
I consider myself relatively politically conservative (libertarian-leaning) but have been a big fan and enthusiast of Tesla from day one. Having been an automotive journalist for over a decade, I found it interesting to see the PR boost that Ford got from not taking a bailout, and I think Tesla will receive (if it hasn't already) a similar boost from paying off its DOE loans early.
I cringed during the debates when Romney lumped Tesla in with the "losers," knowing the inaccuracy of that statement, just like "All Jeep production is going to China."
Although conservatives are often stereotyped as driving big, gas-guzzling V-8 SUVs, I think there are many that are concerned about our energy policy, if not for CO2 emissions per se, for foreign oil dependence (although that seems like it's rapidly becoming a moot point). I think it was a brilliant move by Musk and Tesla to get the DOE loans paid off, and proving that a new-tech car company can get on its own two feet, free of Uncle Sam's wallet.