First, I am older than dirt. I have owned at least fifteen cars, 95 percent foreign made like Volvo and Toyota. I currently own a Prius and a Tacoma. I joked about my Tundra that while it got poor gas mileage at least it was painted green, because we also wanted the best possible gas mileage with each car we purchased.
Since the seventies I have routinely refused to purchase American (US) cars. Before you attack me with your hate, be aware I enlisted in the US Army (during Vietnam) and worked my way up to retire as a senior officer. At that point I took a back seat to allow my wife and children to become all they wanted to become. Did you server or endure the personal attacks by your fellow citizens for having served? Then do not open your mouth. That includes academy ring knockers.
I have refused to purchase US made cars because my assessment of US made cars was that their quality and safety was marginally above poor. I also saw corruption in management. To be fair, I refused to buy BMW too. I refused to buy them due to poor quality and safety which had absolutely nothing to do with the labor assembling the product. BMW was just not worth the money. US Management made decisions to put limited quality parts in their cars and trucks. I cannot to this day get that taste out of my mouth. I have a masters in management and have probably more years experience in leadership and management than most CEOs dream about. Trying not to be crude. I had that experience by the age of twenty seven.
In 1993 one of the launchers I received, brand new, costing you (if you actually paid) tax payers over a million dollars per copy. Oh, I was the first commander to receive these launchers in Germany. Each of the nine launchers were inspected and tested before my men, a civilian crew and me. One launcher rocket cage as it was lifted and rotated into a firing position we found a half eaten fast food lunch. That told me that a quality control manager state side had piss poor respect for my soldiers and me. And total contempt for my fellow countrymen. Oh, I received with this unit the first GPS. You know what that is right? Mine at that time fit in the back of a jeep.
This is not about me. It is about my extremely bad rating of US car company's. While all cars regardless of origin of the company smell and look pretty when new; however, they are anything but equal. Tesla is a US auto maker, while not perfect, they strive to achieve perfection. All other car makers would be neck deep in lying about it not being their fault. Think back about every issue that has come to light ~ Tesla management has gotten out in front of the problem and fixed it. You are about to see that with auto pilot (AP) update this week I believe. Think back about the tire and SUV deaths that occurred in the eighties, how many family members died while these two manufacturers blamed each other. Oh, you were not born then. Or too stupid to remember? Or you just do not give a damn. Recently the Germans got caught with their hands in the cookie jar by lyin about emissions testing results. They were not the only ones either, just the biggest fish to fry. Oh, you were not born yesterday or forgot that minor detail?
Tesla has a proven track record of pushing the envelope to the bleeding edge, and yes it hurts some times, but Chevy would not be producing its electric car with its touted range if it was not because of Tesla. Chevy management and quite frankly most, if not all, automakers would not have touched electricity with a ten foot pole. No guts, no vision, no glory. Remember, Tesla has been ahead of the power curve when it comes to fixing problems or issues. Anyone can give up and go home, anyone. I do not reward incompetence with my money.
For the record, I have solar panels on my roof, I am retrofitting my home with sheathing, we own stock in Tesla and will wait until my Model III is available or I can convince my wife that somehow we can afford that Model X. I have offered to sell off the Prius, Tacoma and sell myself on the corner, but she just laughs. I think she is laughing about getting rid of the two cars for one, right? Please say yes.
Your choice, your decision ~ mine is the Model III. The last time I waited for something good to come my way I was twenty three ~ that was when I met my wife, forty three years ago. Remember the best things in life come to those who wait. My glass is usuall half full ~ except when I am thirsty ~ then I get up and refill it.