...previous electric cars are "pieces of crap"

[Brent]

I don't see how the word "crap" brings much new to Martin's general statements on previous electric efforts. He has called them "punishment cars" for ages now, a phrase that doesn't exactly ring of praise. It's not a big leap of semantics to go from "punishment" to "crap." Both adjectives should remind one that those cars failed because they weren't appealing.

I'm not sure that Ratner's example applies here at all. Ratner was calling his own product crap. That single comment wiped out a huge amount of market value of the shares, forced his resignation, and motivated the company to change its name. If Martin did the same -- called the Roadster a piece of crap -- he'd deserve the same fate as Ratner.

[Takumi]

And saying everyone else in your industry is crap is like saying you are the only clean thing in the toilet.

Even though the Tesla roadster may be the best of breed, it is still always to be associated with other EV efforts, so you have to be careful how much you are critical of related products.

If the Roadster is "crap" then it is refined "crap" like fertilizer. XD It will help the industry grow and clean the air in the process!

While we're on the subject... If it's yours, somehow it doesn't stink as much, but if it someone else's...

If you don't own that Roadster, that stinks. If you own one...

It reminds me of how chiropractors, acupuncturists, rolfers and back surgeons tend to disparage each other. It leaves one with a bad back wondering if everyone is wrong.

Add to that automotive mechanics. Here's hoping for a new beginning in that industry as well!

[JRP3]

"In general, it seemed to me that, the way all other people started electric car companies, got in the business, was wrong. They wanted to make a car that would save the world. So, they needed to make a car that everyone could afford and they tried to come in at the bottom end of the market. They try to go up against very, very mature companies in a very, very mature industry. Every single component they buy costs them double what Honda or Hyundai or somebody pays for that same part. So they wind up with a car that's a piece of crap. No one wants to buy it.

He's talking about startup EV companies, not the previous efforts of Ford, GM, Toyota, etc.
I see nothing at all wrong with his statements.