I agree but I bet the bare bones base Model 3 will be at a very low margin knowing that most buyers will add options which is where Tesla will make their money. I doubt many will buy the bare bones version but there will be some pressure on Tesla to offer it. Will be interesting to see if it goes the way of the Model S 40kWh which listed for $57,499 and then was discontinued for lack of interest. Will probably depend on the difference in cost for the higher cost battery.
I believe that fleet sales to government agencies, leases to businesses, and acquistions by taxi services will be the primary purchasers of the basic black or white base version of the Model ≡. Most individuals will not have the discipline to forgo adding the extra goodies. Besides, others will get the entry level car, with about $10,000-$15,000 in options added to it, rather than a performance version. There will be a significant enough quantity of buyers, 10%-15% to warrant it stays around.
I was surprised that recently Musk even commented that Model 3 would be cheaper than Bolt. That would indicate he is really set on $35k. That model will come with a steering wheel, doors and tires. But that's about it.
No. Compare the BMW 320i trim and feature set to the Toyota Camry LE. They are practically identical, but the BMW commands a $10,000 premium. All the BMW really has in its favor is the allure of RWD for performance enthusiasts. They have about the same HP ratings, even though the Camry is normally aspirated and the 320i is turbocharged. If a Camry sort of interior trim is acceptable on an entry-level BMW, it will be fine in a Tesla.
May be they'll pull the old trick of not offering supercharger option unless upgraded to a higher range model. That would kill the base model, just like it did with 40 kWh model.
Precisely why they will not resort to such shenanigans. The Model S 60 has been discontinued, replaced by the Model S 70D as the base. Every current Tesla Motors product now includes Supercharger access standard. I expect the same will be true of Model X. That will carry over to a Model ≡ 60 as well. Exactly as I predicted last year.
The base 3 will be much like a base S60: a great car with a usable 200 mile range, some very nice features as standard but not all the bells and whistles.
Pretty much. Just that at a significantly lower weight, and using a refined, more efficient motor, combined with improved power electronics, the Model ≡ 60 will end up with an EPA rated 225-250 mile range. And Supercharger access will not be optional, but standard, for the sake of simplicity, convenience, and affordability.
Depends on how you define Mass Market. If your definition of Mass Market includes the BMW3 series, the Audi A4/5 Line and the Mercedes C Class then it will be Mass Market.
Actually, I group them as A3/A4, A5/A6, & A7/A8... ;-) But yeah, A4, ATS, IS/ES, Q50, 328i/335i, C-Class/CSA-Class, et al will be primary competitors. I believe that Elon Musk used the qualifiers low volume, mid-volume, and high volume when referring to the planned Tesla Generations.
If Not then it will not be Mass Market. The Model 3 will NOT compete with Toyota Carrolla or Yaris or Camary, The Nissan Sentra, Chevy Prius and other likes of smaller cars with big production lines. Just MHO.
Tesla Motors will find buyers from a wider range of potential customers than most anticipate. By targeting the Premium market, they offer products that people aspire to own. With a bit of research, many will realize that instead of a 'some day' purchase, a Tesla can be a 'right now' acquisition, instead.
And that's my definition of mass market. The biggest selling vehicle of any when it comes to those containing a traction battery. It's a lofty goal of course and probably not attainable until the next decade.
