Red Sage
The Cybernetic Samurai
As I remember, the Model S had around 10,000 Reservations before the first of them were Delivered in June 2012. Around 2,600 of those had been Delivered through December 2012. But by January 2013 Tesla Motors had 13,000 outstanding Reservations, instead of only about 7,400. By mid 2013, despite increasing Reservations, the majority of buyers were all asking for the Model S 85. And not even 5% of the entire group of Reservation holders were asking for the Model S 40. So, from June 2012 through April/May/June 2013, Tesla Motors gained at least 50% more buyers of Model S overall, but they didn't have 6%-to-8% of them requesting the Model S 40 -- it actually dropped to 4% or so. Elon Musk took that as a sign from Consumers: They wanted 200 miles of range minimum, or bust.Certainly lots of what was "known" at the time is tribal knowledge, given Elon's propensity to talk rather openly about things during appearances... so I suppose that may have been the case. If you find it, I'd be interested in seeing it.
The 2013 timing you mention would seem odd though... the Model S's were actually already hitting the streets in numbers by 2013... and reservations began in 2010 I believe... they would have certainly known that the 85's were by far the most popular model by that time. Unless he was just sharing some historical perspective...
Entry Level 40kWh Tesla Model S Cancelled, 60 kWh Cars All Get Supercharging Hardware - Inside EVs
Last edited: