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Article re: Tesla using BMW CF for Model X doors

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AnOutsider

S532 # XS27
Moderator
Apr 3, 2009
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BMWs Carbon Fiber Could Save Tesla Model X Doors

a bit of rambling in the article, but the meat is:

One of the suggestions Jonas made about a challenge Tesla could be facing with the Model X doors is their weight. The falcon wing doors’ complex design would probably result in extremely heavy doors. So what could Tesla do to fix the problem? It’s simple, really. Just use lighter material—and BMW just happens to have the perfect thing.

Until recently, Tesla’s and BMW’s partnership was believed to have been focused on developing electric vehicle technology and speeding up adoption of EVs. It seems likely that the two automakers only started discussing BMW’s carbon fiber technology recently when executives from both companies met a few months ago to talk about sharing their technologies.

It’s believed that Tesla representatives were interested in BMW’s knowledge regarding the manufacturing of carbon fiber components, while BMW wanted to know more about Tesla’s batteries and electric vehicle charging system.

Seems mostly conjecture, but hadn't seen this angle of Tesla-BMW cooperation mentioned before.
 
I am amazed how much conjecture gets print these days, from this article to all of Morgan Stanley's miscalculations and negative projections this week. Good journalism is severely lacking these days. The email that Tesla Motors just sent out to Model X owners seems to say that the Model X problems have been solved and now it is just a timeline of steps, Beta's to Final Production.
 
Tesla battery talks with BMW continue says Musk - SlashGear

"We are talking about whether we can collaborate in battery technology or charging stations," Musk told German press, in addition to suggesting that Tesla was aiming to launch a battery production plant for its EVs like the Model S and the upcoming Model X SUV in Germany within the next five to six years.

Musk also told Der Spiegel that he was watching BMW's development of carbon-fiber reinforced components with great interest, in no small part because of their cost-efficiency and light weight.
 
Guess CF parts could be a bemefitt for the Model 3, if the price is right. ;-)
If BMW made some parts for EU models, it could be assemled inside EU with. batterypack and less transportation needed for those parts.
Some parts of the car have to be assebled inside EU, (import tax....)
 
BMW: No Interest In Tesla Cooperation, Musk Was Posturing For PR

The carmaker has no plans for cooperation with Tesla, officials told German business magazine Wirtschafts Woche, and isn't interested in buying Tesla shares either.

Going beyond simply quashing rumors of a partnership, BMW accused Musk of using the company for "PR purposes," claiming Tesla is looking to fill the void after the winding down of its relationships with Daimler and Toyota.

Saucy!
 
Remember though Jordan, Tesla contracted out the building of the chassis and body to Lotus...Tesla built the batteries and the PEM...they also wrote the software. They had design input in the chassis and body, but contracted out their manufacture and assembly.

The "gliders" were sent from The Lotus plant in England to Palo Alto where Tesla installed the above mentioned components.