Which direction should Tesla go as a company?

[daniel]

I think when you start getting down around 3 seconds the problem is not power or torque, it's keeping the wheels on the ground. I suspect that below 3 seconds you need a propulsion system that does not depend on wheel-to-ground traction. I.e. propellers or reaction engines. And I'm not at all sure that propellers could do it.

[vfx]

I'm tired of the "toys for rich people" criticisms (even JP says it about the S) Another supercar would continue that meme.

Maybe in a year Tesla puts together a Skunk unit that makes racing noise with a series of cars. A 'fastest" car for Bonneville, ring car, a 1/4 mile drag car, basically breaking speed and performance barriers worldwide.

[tdelta1000]

0-60 2s
weeeeeeee
or they could make some buses/ motor coaches and replace mach of the loud noise in bigger cities!

Gone in two seconds would be nice but TM will have to be concerned with the power draw. Going with the bus motors and battery packs could very well be another avenue.

[Kevin Sharpe]

I'm tired of the "toys for rich people" criticisms (even JP says it about the S) Another supercar would continue that meme.

With respect, IMO anyone who can buy a Tesla is 'wealthy' whether that's a Roadster, Model S, or Model X.

One of the reasons I would have liked Tesla to focus on Super Cars and sell power train technology is because I believe that mainstream car companies will produce much lower costs cars than Tesla. Lower cost means more cars get into the hands of more people.

[VolkerP]

I believe that mainstream car companies will produce much lower costs cars than Tesla.

They need to re-design from the ground up for electric drive and take their 3rd party suppliers with them. It is a big hurdle to overcome - mentally - for them. IOW they don't want to produce low-cost electric cars in numbers, and have the profit for the most valuable part - the drive train - go to Tesla.

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Kevin, what's so wrong with Tesla aspiring to become a 'mainstream' car company itself by adopting the multi-model, eventually-mass-market strategy that it has? That's probably the way many of the major established companies started once upon a time?!

A pure play EV company with a growing lineup of cars (which will become more affordable over time) is a great way to build a brand that's here to stay.

[Kevin Sharpe]

Kevin, what's so wrong with Tesla aspiring to become a 'mainstream' car company itself by adopting the multi-model, eventually-mass-market strategy that it has?

Nothing wrong with the aspiration... I just think they could have gained more EV traction by focusing on industry wide take-up of the Tesla technology by third parties. Today, Tesla are actually competing with potential high volume customers... I know I'm not alone in this view... I've heard it many times from Tesla insiders all over the globe.

I tried to set out my wish list here;

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showt...l=1#post146635

It's completely academic of course

[ckessel]

Today, Tesla are actually competing with potential high volume customers...

Today, Tesla doesn't compete in any high volume market, so that statement seems a bit of exaggeration.

Edit: unless, like AnOutsider notes, you're referring to things like the Rav4Ev. Though, those are in such tiny numbers I don't see them as competing with high volume cars in the same market niche.

[AnOutsider]

Tesla is powering daimler and toyota at the moment. It would seem they are already doing what you suggest. The Model X competes with the Rav 4 EV, yet they're powering it. The Model S competes with any number of Mercedes vehicles. I can see the logic of stepping back and making friends in the hopes of doing "bigger business", but at the same time, those companies aren't really taking EVs seriously #1 and #2 they're doing their own thing in-house (GM, Nissan). So, first step: make EVs a serious contender in the marketplace and increase demand. Then, if those other companies can't keep up (which seems to be the case so far), they can then provide powertrains to them.

[Warrenbonz]

I'd like to see Tesla (or a Tesla side brand) post office delivery vehicles in the future. Perhaps on the Gen III platform.
Seems to me EV's are perfect for delivering mail and that it would be a great learning experience for the public when they ask their mail carrier "so how do you like your new truck?" I think it could really spread the word about EV's.
Because most mail trucks travel few miles in a day the vehicles could have small battery packs allowing for a competitive acquisition cost for the post office. With the lower running costs of an EV I think the economics could really work well for the post office.