Pricing and Range

[Laurent]

The Shape of Alternative Power - The New York Times > Automobiles > Slide Show > Slide 24 of 28

[Kevin Harney]

Interesting - Claimed range of the Model S is 150 miles !?!?!?!?

[Cobos]

Yes they have mentioned several times that they would make 2 versions of the Model S one with "half" battery and one with "full" battery. The half gives around 150 miles. What hasn't been very clear though is if the $57 000 is with the half or full, most probably half size.
There was a discussion about this in the Model S forum earlier.

Cobos

[Kevin Harney]

Yes but they should probably be using the highest number possible.....

[doug]

No, I prefer some clarity. IIRC, the goal is a 150 mile range for the base model.


Too often I see something like a "300 mile range" and "$60K base price" in the same sentence, which can be misleading.

[TEG]

Too often I see something like a "300 mile range" and "$60K base price" in the same sentence, which can be misleading.

Yeah, I had made that point in a big way back here.

[siry]

Its all kind of moot, isn't it? Right now the specs and dollar figures are speculative at best, and there is no way of knowing what the actual costs of the car, and therefore price, will be. At this point it is really about goals. The biggest assumption that will drive actual pricing is where cell costs come in.

That being said, the lowest price talked about (ex. tax credit) of about $57,000 refers to the lowest range model, the goal of which is to have a 160 mile EPA range at beginning of life.

Personally, I don't see the point of the lower range version and think they should only market the higher range version. The lower range version will cross-cannibalize the higher range model and they will end up being more problematic over time due to cycle life issues.

[TEG]

IMHO, some people will welcome a lower range version. Many people drive less than 50 miles a day, and would not be coming anywhere near full cycle on the pack on a daily basis. The reduced price could get some customers that would otherwise pass. Plus the reduced weight should help with vehicle dynamics.

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Something I was pondering recently is the Ferrari / Maserati dealership down El Camino (from the MP store) may be hurting by all this. Between the economic downturn, the Roadster probably cutting into Ferrari sales, and now the 'Model S' threatening to steal some Maserati sales.

[TEG]

Its all kind of moot, isn't it?

Maybe if someone was saying "about half the price of the Roadster", or "projecting under $60K", but the stuff we see quotes very specific amounts (e.g.: $57,499 - $7,500 rebate) which sounds like more of a promise than a projection.

Tesla’s CEO Prices the Model S Electric Sedan at $57,499 But Says Needs Government Assistance to Launch it | GM-VOLT : Chevy Volt Electric Car Site

At an interview in California, Tesla CEO Elon Musk publicly disclosed that the upcoming all-electric Model S sedan will be priced at $57,499.

Greentech Media | Tesla Coughs Up Sedan Price, Details on Economy Car

Speaking at the Tesla dealership in Menlo Park, Calif., company CEO Elon Musk revealed that its all-electric passenger sedan, the Model S, will be priced at $57,499. The government will offer a $7,500 tax credit to bring the price to $49,999.

When people put deposits down soon are they expecting to get that price in 2011/2012?

[Kevin Harney]

When people put deposits down soon are they expecting to get that price in 2011/2012?

I would say YES !!! This is going to be a totally different crowd than the Roadster buyers IMHO. These people are going to be much closer to middle class and if you raise the price at the last minute they will walk. I know that this will be at my upper limit as it is now so I am not even sure that I will be able to afford it especially if they raise the price.