Tesla in deal with Daimler - Page 2

doug · 06-12-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stopcrazypp

As a Tesla fan I want to see the Whitestar design, but the skepticism meter is on the extreme high in a few of the blogs that reported this news, lots of Tesla doubters who say they shouldn't be doing the Whitestar when the Roadster isn't officially done yet, probably the same people who said that the Roadster was useless b/c it is so expensive and that Tesla should make a cheaper more practical 4 door (which they are on the road to doing with the Whitestar).

Anyways, I'm still excited to see how the Whitestar design will turn out.

As another Tesla fan, I too am interested for news about the Whitestar. But I'm also patient. Tesla talking about it now isn't going to make it available any faster, however, I'm sure they're working hard on it as we speak.
I think showing off the Whitestar design without working prototypes and before Roadster production is going smoothly would give fodder to the doubters who make claims of vaporware.

malcolm · 06-13-2008, 12:43 AM

Seems that the details on Whitestar are bound up with the details of this sort of joint project. Will be interesting to see how many strings get attached to the EV technology in Whitestar as Tesla will no longer have sole control.

It's not going to be another Car-maker-X-makes-the-glider-and-Tesla-creates-the-internal-systems deal.

Let's hope they get the contracts right so we don't see yet another "Tesla sues...." headline in a couple of years.

stopcrazypp · 06-13-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

I think showing off the Whitestar design without working prototypes and before Roadster production is going smoothly would give fodder to the doubters who make claims of vaporware.

Yep, that's exactly what I'm worried about happening. Even without any new fodder, they have no problem beating the "vaporware" drum. But Tesla said they will show the design in the 2nd quarter and the end is only a few weeks away as IZ mentioned.

@malcolm
This was mention jokingly in the blogs, but in all seriousness, I also hope another "Tesla sues..." doesn't happen again.

DDB · 06-13-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm

Seems that the details on Whitestar are bound up with the details of this sort of joint project. Will be interesting to see how many strings get attached to the EV technology in Whitestar as Tesla will no longer have sole control.

It's not going to be another Car-maker-X-makes-the-glider-and-Tesla-creates-the-internal-systems deal.

Let's hope they get the contracts right so we don't see yet another "Tesla sues...." headline in a couple of years.

Why couldn't Tesla use a glider from Daimler?

doug · 06-13-2008, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDB

Why couldn't Tesla use a glider from Daimler?

I wouldn't mind that, but it would clearly go against everything Tesla has been saying about their plans for Whitestar manufacture. At any rate, Elon said right now they have a small deal, and Daimler making Whitestar gliders would certainly be a BIG deal.

I suppose it's possible that that potential "big deal" could also have something to do with Bluestar. About which it has been suggested that Tesla would partner with one of the majors.

malcolm · 06-13-2008, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDB

Why couldn't Tesla use a glider from Daimler?

Well if Whitestar is going to be a BEV, they could. But I think the plan is for a REEV which will involve Daimler (or whoever) with the internal systems.

Given how well the gearbox collaboration went, I'm a little apprehensive. As we've seen, tried and trusted (i.e cheap) ICE technology doesn't always work efficiently/reliably in EVs.

Then again, that was one big electro-mechanical nightmare. If Daimler just supply a mini generator with a fuel tank there shouldn't be the same sort of problems.

doug · 06-13-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm

Well if Whitestar is going to be a BEV, they could. But I think the plan is for a REEV which will involve Daimler (or whoever) with the internal systems.

Tesla has said (could someone find where?) that the first available version of Whitestar will be pure EV.

malcolm · 06-13-2008, 07:47 AM

Think the plan is for both:

Tesla Motors - think

"As was alluded to in the customer town hall meeting last week, Tesla will likely provide both pure electric and range extended electric drive options in the future. We refer to the latter as a REEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle) to distinguish it from “hybrids,” which are really just gasoline engine cars with a small electric motor and tiny battery. The REEV battery in our scenario would fully cover the range needs for reasonable daily usage, but there would be an onboard generator for the occasional long trip."

Tesla's take is more reEV rather than REev.

vfx · 06-13-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm

"As was alluded to in the customer town hall meeting last week,

What kind of calendar do you use?

Dog

?

doug · 06-14-2008, 12:34 PM

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9585697

Quote:

Darryl Siry, vice president of sales, marketing and service for the San Carlos company, told Bloomberg he couldn't comment on Musk's remarks.

Han Tjan, Daimler's New York-based spokesman, told Bloomberg the company has had talks with Tesla. He couldn't confirm whether a contract had been signed or if Daimler intended to purchase battery packs from Tesla.