The airbag saga

TEG · 10-14-2007, 03:23 AM

article over at Autobloggreen...

DDB · 10-14-2007, 09:19 AM

TEG,

What's your take on the airbag exemption in terms of delay if it isn't granted in favor of Tesla.

I also find it a little odd that Miles is so aggressive in stirring the pot here. They'd benefit from ANY EV market, especially when there is is 2/3rds cheaper than any other on the market. I haven't heard squat about Miles even being in validation testing nor in federal safety applications and the like...why piss in your own soup when that could be Miles in 3 months?

tonybelding · 10-14-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDB

What's your take on the airbag exemption in terms of delay if it isn't granted in favor of Tesla.

If we take Tesla's comments at face value, then failing to get the exemption would mean there is no Roadster. They would be unable to sell it without advanced airbags, and getting advanced airbags into it would be impractical in terms of the money, time and redesign work that would be required. They would have to cancel the program and give back all the deposits.

Without revenues from the Roadster, and with all the negative publicity from canceling it, they could not proceed with the White Star. Therefore, Tesla would be out of the car-making business.

WarpedOne · 10-14-2007, 11:20 AM

I found those points raised by Miles to be "pisspoor". They are whining about ESS increasing the weight and altering the crash behaveour from that of Elise. There are other distinct crash tests to determine that and the Roadster passed them all. Every model has to pass those tests alone in the lab. Discussion at the table does not suffice.

I do not see a reason why Tesla Roadster shouldn't be granted with exemption. To me Tesla's points look even more substantiated than from some other manufacturers (Ferrari F40). If they are not, that would be a writting in the sky: politics and lobbies.

tonybelding · 10-14-2007, 11:56 AM

Yeah. . . I agree that the objection from Miles was both dishonest and foolishly short-sighted. If the Roadster is sunk, it would be a big setback for the whole BEV market -- including Miles's products.

BlackbirdHighway · 10-14-2007, 02:23 PM

Miles also filed their complaints on the very last day, not giving Tesla a chance to respond. I don't trust our government at all, I think they jsut might try to use this opportunity to try to kill Tesla if they think they can get away with it.

I think Miles see that Tesla is going to eventually compete against them with the Whitestar or Bluestar. They may also be worried that a bad crash of a Tesla might hurt the EV market in general.

I would think that Tesla would have a better argument than that the Elise didn't have Adv. Airbags. Ferrari doesn't have that excuse, and they got an exemption. They certainly have the money to afford the development.

Anyone know when the decision is due?

dsacks6 · 10-14-2007, 04:46 PM

wow, I also find it crazy that Miles would go after the one company that is actually has a chance in finally making the electric car more accepted.
Perhaps we should send a "letter" to Miles telling them our point of view.