Model X - Elon Musk says new SUV model due in 2013

[trevorlsciact]

While I think "Model X" will be more like a crossover (think Audi A6 Allroad), find this funny:

4:09 Q: Does this put competitive pressure on Tesla?
4:12 A: No.....(making absolutely confident face)

Yeah, that was quintessential Musk. Gotta love it!

[tdelta1000]

The Audi All-Road went away and became the Q7 over time. If I recall, the IPO roadshow video showed an SUV truck type vehicle. Elon Musk is being coy with the real details of the SUV.

[mpt]

Ugh. Skip the SUV and do a wagon / estate car first. Safer, more drive-able, more cargo room, would have more range, and can probably be done off the Model S platform with little modification. A wagon with 400 mile range, and we'd be able to ditch the oil burner.

+1

But I guess the market will decide.

[shark2k]

Ugh. Skip the SUV and do a wagon / estate car first. Safer, more drive-able, more cargo room, would have more range, and can probably be done off the Model S platform with little modification. A wagon with 400 mile range, and we'd be able to ditch the oil burner.

If I'm not mistaking in the IPO presentation (and maybe even before that) Tesla (might have been Musk) mentioned that the Model S is using a skate platform which would allow them to essentially put on different shells to get different types of cars. If that is the case whether they go with a SUV or wagon/estate car shouldn't really matter in terms of modifying. Also, a reasonable size SUV with 400 mile range and we'd be able to ditch the oil burner also, just saying.

-Shark2k

[Roger_Smith]

Also, a reasonable size SUV with 400 mile range and we'd be able to ditch the oil burner also, just saying.

-Shark2k

Agreed... Id be able to ditch my Ford Expedition.

[Cobos]

Yeah, that was quintessential Musk. Gotta love it!

I do agree that is quintessential Musk but at the same time I think he has a good point. The only reason that people might cross-shop a Leaf and Model S is if you must have an EV. As soon as you get more EVs it will be a much more apparant that they are very different markets. I've said before that thus far no premium/high end brand has shown anything to compete with the Model S, assuming you want an EV. The Fisker Karma is as close as you get now, and probably until the Model S comes out.

Cobos

[ChrisC]

More about the Model X in this thread:

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showt...p/4658-Model-X

[trevorlsciact]

I do agree that is quintessential Musk but at the same time I think he has a good point. The only reason that people might cross-shop a Leaf and Model S is if you must have an EV. As soon as you get more EVs it will be a much more apparant that they are very different markets. I've said before that thus far no premium/high end brand has shown anything to compete with the Model S, assuming you want an EV. The Fisker Karma is as close as you get now, and probably until the Model S comes out.

Cobos

I completely agree, but his confidence teetering on arrogance is still amusing. That is what it takes to be a good leader and CEO, however. That is why I am glad he ended up running Tesla. More to the point, I think what Tesla has to watch out for is Infinity, since Nissan has stated they will release an EV under that brand as well.

[doug]

More about the Model X in this thread:

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showt...p/4658-Model-X

merged

[Seal]

Tesla plans Model X in 2014

Just the Facts:

* Tesla confirmed it is planning to introduce a battery-powered crossover in 2014.

* Called the Model X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the company hopes to have a prototype of the crossover by the end of next year.

FREMONT, California — Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk confirmed the electric-vehicle maker is planning to introduce a battery-powered crossover, the Model X, in 2014, about two years after the mid-2012 launch of its midsize Model S sedan.

In an interview with Greentech Media at the formal opening of his company's production facility here in a former Toyota-General Motors plant, Musk said, "I'm hopeful we will unveil a prototype [of the Model X] toward the end of next year. When it will go into production is harder to predict because we want to make sure the Model S production line is operating smoothly before we introduce another variant. But certainly within two.... In less than two years when we start Model S production, we will have the Model X."

in: http://autonews.gasgoo.com/global-ne...4-101108.shtml