Another Bet Against Tesla Goes Bust - Forbes

callmesam · Sep 16, 2013

Tesla promised this past spring that before summer was through, it would have 18 of its high-speed Supercharger stations up and running, allowing longer-distance travel for more owners of its Model S sedan. And just last week, with the last days of the season disappearing off the calendar, the folks at Green Car Reports bet that the company would fail to make its self-imposed deadline. Six days ago, with only half the locations officially open, the bet seemed like a decent one. But the company again proved the doubters wrong.

Another Bet Against Tesla Goes Bust As The Company Draws A 21 - Forbes

NigelM · Sep 16, 2013

Similar (same?) report: Tesla Supercharger deployment lagging - AutoblogGreen

bonnie · Sep 16, 2013

Def different since the OP article points to an article outlining how Tesla actually has made the commitment, whereas Autoblog says just the opposite.

NigelM · Sep 16, 2013

No question about the commitment to build, but question whether they'll meet the deadlines. We all know that Tesla's definition of seasons is much more flexible than those we normally refer to.....doesn't mean they won't deliver; I believe 100% that they will but there's been enough occasions where Tesla have proven to be overly-optimistic on dates.

astrotoy · Sep 16, 2013

As an astronomer, I can tell you that the definition of seasons is quite precise - no flexibility. The beginning and end of each season occurs when the apparent position of the sun crosses the solstices and equinoxes. Very easy to determine, even years in advance.

dsm363 · Sep 16, 2013

Did Tesla say they would open up 18 additional Supercharger locations by end of summer or have 18 open up by end of summer?

texex91 · Sep 16, 2013

I think if 18 are open or 8, the fact that they have ID'ed the locations, and are moving forward with them is the key. It's wonderful to have the SC, but right now Tesla needs to focus on hitting it's quarterly numbers for the street and it's European push. They also need to focus on quality control coming out of Fremont. The SC's will come, and there are things which Tesla doesn't control (building permits, land or lease agreement time frames, construction delays, etc).

Wall Street cares about Tesla's profit and production numbers--not if they built all of their super chargers on time.

I think getting wrapped up on which day summer ends or if they built half or not isn't really critical. They will get them built and it's a nice thing to have. They are a auto manufacturer, and need to focus on pumping out production--which shareholders really care about (not saying the SC is not important it is--just not as important as numbers right now).

dsm363 · Sep 16, 2013

texex91 said:
I think getting wrapped up on which day summer ends or if they built half or not isn't really critical. They will get them built and it's a nice thing to have. They are a auto manufacturer, and need to focus on pumping out production--which shareholders really care about (not saying the SC is not important it is--just not as important as numbers right now).

I agree. We've seen articles like this from David Nolan in the past so not too surprising. They may not be hitting their loft goals but goals are contractual obligations. If they promised 18 and delivered 5 or something then yes, they need to work on their projections but coming up a few locations short by a few weeks is virtually meaningless.

Raffy.Roma · Sep 16, 2013

I think that it's wrong to blame Tesla for not respecting precisely deadlines (that are also self-established). It's not easy to install a network in a big Country like the USA. Main thing is that Tesla is working to realize the Supercharger network.

purplewalt · Sep 16, 2013

Guess what gang...
TM is poised to Draw 21 again.

Currently my count, Officially Opened SC Stations: 22.
Currently my count, Officially Opened and Operational SC Stations: 25.

This Week's New Inductees.
Orange, FL Opens 9-17
Glenwood Springs, Co, probably opens Thurs. or Fri.
Darien, CT Southbound, is Operational

Uhm, Saturday is Sept. 21, Vernal Equinox (end of Summer).
Go and Enjoy your local ribbon cutting!!!

AudubonB · Sep 16, 2013

astrotoy said:
As an astronomer, I can tell you that the definition of seasons is quite precise - no flexibility. The beginning and end of each season occurs when the apparent position of the sun crosses the solstices and equinoxes. Very easy to determine, even years in advance.

Ah: but I have to disagree. I'd say 180º of flexibility. That is, 182.x days of it. You see.....I really and truly can't find anywhere....any reference to whether TM was referring to northern or southern hemisphere summer......

Benz · Sep 17, 2013

texex91 said:
I think if 18 are open or 8, the fact that they have ID'ed the locations, and are moving forward with them is the key. It's wonderful to have the SC, but right now Tesla needs to focus on hitting it's quarterly numbers for the street and it's European push. They also need to focus on quality control coming out of Fremont. The SC's will come, and there are things which Tesla doesn't control (building permits, land or lease agreement time frames, construction delays, etc).

Wall Street cares about Tesla's profit and production numbers--not if they built all of their super chargers on time.

I think getting wrapped up on which day summer ends or if they built half or not isn't really critical. They will get them built and it's a nice thing to have. They are a auto manufacturer, and need to focus on pumping out production--which shareholders really care about (not saying the SC is not important it is--just not as important as numbers right now).

Indeed, first things first, set the priorities right.

NigelM · Sep 17, 2013

Raffy.Roma said:
I think that it's wrong to blame Tesla for not respecting precisely deadlines (that are also self-established).

Tell that to anyone who didn't get their car delivered on the date they were expecting it. ;-)

On a more serious note, companies make promises all the time so I think it's good if the market and the media hold them to their promises. No reason why Tesla should get a free pass and I doubt they would expect one.

bonnie · Sep 17, 2013

Did I read a different article on the OP link? It says Tesla MADE their commitment.

dsm363 · Sep 17, 2013

I believe all Tesla did was put dots on a map with terms like Summer, fall, 2014...etc
That does indicate their plans but was there ever a statement 'Tesla promises all stations on this map will be up by this time'. Seemed more like a stated goal, not a concrete promise but see how some took it as that.

bonnie · Sep 17, 2013

Whether it was a concrete promise or not is a moot point. Tesla made the commitment. Here is what the article actually says, if you follow the link:

As of today, Tesla claims not just the 18 locations it promised in May but instead has 21 Superchargers up and running, making official a dozen in the past week alone.

NigelM · Sep 17, 2013

bonnie said:
Did I read a different article on the OP link? It says Tesla MADE their commitment.

I wasn't saying that Tesla did or didn't make their commitment; just that I do think it's ok (and even positive) for us to hold companies to their promises.

bonnie · Sep 17, 2013

Fair enough. It's just that this thread is making me slightly bonkers. The article is about how Tesla met their commitment. And all the comments are about how it's okay if they didn't. It's like I read a completely diff article.

I'll go drink more coffee now.

NigelM · Sep 17, 2013

bonnie said:
Fair enough. It's just that this thread is making me slightly bonkers. The article is about how Tesla met their commitment. And all the comments are about how it's okay if they didn't. It's like I read a completely diff article.

Probably because two articles were linked in the OP....maybe folks read the first one and not the second?

Benz · Sep 17, 2013

Both articles are different, I would say.

Another Bet Against Tesla Goes Bust - Forbes

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