Some interesting items from the conference call Q&A:
Other items from the Tesla Q+A call:
-The 2012 Tesla Model S does not compete with other electric cars, but with premium sedans like the Audi A6 or A8, the BMW 5- or 7-Series, and the Porsche Panamera
-Tesla expects buyers to order $10,000 to $15,000 worth of options on Model S vehicles
-The company expects to deliver 5,000 Model S cars during the second half of 2012
-It looks "increasingly likely" that the Model S sedan will earn five-star safety ratings "in all categories," Musk said
-The Model X crossover is not cannibalizing sales of the Model S sedan; in fact, "we've seen higher Model S reservations" as a result of Model X publicity
-The Model X is the fastest-selling Tesla model in history, and generated $40 million in sales since the concept was unveiled last week
-Tesla plans to sell the Model S and Model X in China; it thinks the Model X crossover in particular will have "a lot of appeal there"
-After the Model X, the next Tesla vehicle will be a "third-generation" volume car with a price "in the $30,000 range"
-The company made that decision because, Musk said, it had "gained enough confidence that our battery technology is scalable to higher
volumes sooner than we thought"
-As a consequence, the next generation of Tesla Roadster will be "pushed out four years or so," meaning a 2015 model
-Tesla will provide a complete powertrain--not just a battery pack and charging equipment--to Mercedes-Benz for a future vehicle program
Tesla Motors Won't Need More Money, Says CEO Musk
Other items from the Tesla Q+A call:
-The 2012 Tesla Model S does not compete with other electric cars, but with premium sedans like the Audi A6 or A8, the BMW 5- or 7-Series, and the Porsche Panamera
-Tesla expects buyers to order $10,000 to $15,000 worth of options on Model S vehicles
-The company expects to deliver 5,000 Model S cars during the second half of 2012
-It looks "increasingly likely" that the Model S sedan will earn five-star safety ratings "in all categories," Musk said
-The Model X crossover is not cannibalizing sales of the Model S sedan; in fact, "we've seen higher Model S reservations" as a result of Model X publicity
-The Model X is the fastest-selling Tesla model in history, and generated $40 million in sales since the concept was unveiled last week
-Tesla plans to sell the Model S and Model X in China; it thinks the Model X crossover in particular will have "a lot of appeal there"
-After the Model X, the next Tesla vehicle will be a "third-generation" volume car with a price "in the $30,000 range"
-The company made that decision because, Musk said, it had "gained enough confidence that our battery technology is scalable to higher
volumes sooner than we thought"
-As a consequence, the next generation of Tesla Roadster will be "pushed out four years or so," meaning a 2015 model
-Tesla will provide a complete powertrain--not just a battery pack and charging equipment--to Mercedes-Benz for a future vehicle program
Tesla Motors Won't Need More Money, Says CEO Musk