Is the Model X scheduled to be built before the "Bluestar"?

[Fr23shjive]

I've heard of release dates for the Model X being in 2014 while I've read that the bluestar is scheduled to be released in 2016.

Is that right? And if so, why are they releasing the Model X before the Bluestar? Seems to me the Bluestar is going to be the car that changes the world. An affordable electric car that your average middle class person can buy.

Thanks in advance.

[stopcrazypp]

Is that right? And if so, why are they releasing the Model X before the Bluestar? Seems to me the Bluestar is going to be the car that changes the world. An affordable electric car that your average middle class person can buy.

Model X, I see it as mostly speculative talk from Elon. However, if you looked at Tesla's IPO plan, they plan to have multiple cars built on the Model S platform; there was a diagram showing a convertible, a van, and an SUV (Model X in this case). It probably makes more business sense to expand on that platform first than to move to a smaller one so soon (Bluestar will likely be smaller).

As for the Bluestar, haven't seen too much public info on that lately. It seems like Nissan has already beaten Tesla to the market with an affordable EV (something I'm not sure anyone expected). If you look at interviews asking Elon about what he thinks about competitors, he says that his goal was to get EVs out there; if automakers weren't going to do it, he was going to do it himself. Now that it looks like automakers are doing so, he has accomplished part of his goal.

Tesla does have the NUMMI facility, so I guess they do have a place to build Bluestar if they can work out the supply chain. However, it seems more likely Tesla will be releasing components for a third party's $30k EV than for their own (it's still going to be hard to compete with the larger automakers in terms of volume).

[Fr23shjive]

However, it seems more likely Tesla will be releasing components for a third party's $30k EV than for their own (it's still going to be hard to compete with the larger automakers in terms of volume).

I think Tesla can compete and beat the larger automakers if they tried.

1. The Leaf is one of the ugliest cars I have seen in a long time.
2. The range on the leaf is laughable. If Tesla put out a smaller car they'd be starting with 160 mile range minimum.
3.None of the other EVs have the power or performance that Tesla has.

I doubt that Tesla is going to be content playing second fiddle to the other automakers. They have a responsibility to their shareholders to be the most profitable company they can be and I think means capturing part of the lower/mid priced EVs.

[PeterW]

I think Tesla can compete and beat the larger automakers if they tried.

1. The Leaf is one of the ugliest cars I have seen in a long time.
2. The range on the leaf is laughable. If Tesla put out a smaller car they'd be starting with 160 mile range minimum.
3.None of the other EVs have the power or performance that Tesla has.

I doubt that Tesla is going to be content playing second fiddle to the other automakers. They have a responsibility to their shareholders to be the most profitable company they can be and I think means capturing part of the lower/mid priced EVs.

I totally agree. I do not see any indication that Tesla has changed its plans. They still have to bring the Model S to market first. Perhaps someone like Nissan will compete with Tesla on performance and range in 5yrs when Bluestar comes out but they have a bit of catching up to do and Tesla will not be sitting still either.

[scott451]

1. The Leaf is one of the ugliest cars I have seen in a long time.

That's what they said about the prius. And it's true.

2. The range on the leaf is laughable. If Tesla put out a smaller car they'd be starting with 160 mile range minimum.

Careful. That's exactly what they said about the sub 70 mile range of the $50,000 ($500/month lease) EV1.

I've ridden in both the leaf and the model S. The S is an amazing car, but the leaf is not bad for half the price. It will sell and give Nissan a significant head start on the low cost EV market. In 2014 the patents expire on large format NiMH batteries. This will allow EV manufacturers to build lower cost(albeit slower, heavier) cars.

[doug]

The off topic battery discussion got moved here.

[doug]

Is that right? And if so, why are they releasing the Model X before the Bluestar? Seems to me the Bluestar is going to be the car that changes the world. An affordable electric car that your average middle class person can buy.

I agree with stopcrazypp on both counts. Once Tesla is able to deliver the Model S, they will work on shipping the other vehicles based on the Model S platform.

In recent years, Tesla has said that Bluestar would be done in conjunction with another automaker in order to get an appreciable volume. It didn't seem like they expected to build it themselves beyond perhaps the drivetrain. So development on that could be concurrent regardless of the actual delivery date. Might have more to do with finalizing an agreement.

But the idea of Bluestar has already been beaten to the punch by Nissan. Whether you think it's ugly or not, the Leaf (given it's price for what it delivers) really is a game changer and forces other companies to re-evaluate their strategies.

[NEWDL]

I believe that achieve the cost structure needed to get "bluestar" into the price range needed, it will have to be a current platform vehicle modified into a Tesla.... If you look at the market of vehicles that currently could be easily adapted you are left with a short list...

This comment only applies if "bluestar" is to come into existence "soon" if we are talking 2016 then this is a moot point and may be able to be produced by tesla for tesla at NUMMI

[TEG]

This comment only applies if "bluestar" is to come into existence "soon" if we are talking 2016 then this is a moot point...

Unless things have 'accelerated', 2016 may still be the date. Various sites had reported that as the planned year, including this:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/tesla-re...-for-2016.html

[kgb]

In an informal interview posted on YouTube, Elon said that Tesla is going to have to be able to work on more than one project at a time. (Sorry, I can't find the link). In context, he was stating that Tesla Motors would be profitable if it was based purely on its Roadster and drivetrain sales. He mentioned that much of Tesla's current focus is on the Model S. He stated that after Model S, Tesla would be working on several projects simultaneously. (I am paraphrasing).

In conclusion: Elon states that Model X and BlueStar will be worked on simultaneously. He made no comment as to what whould be worked on or which would be done first. Sorry, I know we are supposed to post links. I am referring to the interview that was done by someone holding an amateur video camera in the Tesla lot. The interviewer issued questions from behind his camera. The camera was pointed at Elon at a range of 3 feet, just next to the previous Model S prototype. Hope that helps.