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- Apr 17, 2013
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Let's admit it, the Roadster was a gorgeous car, but it didn't exactly take over the world as the electric vehicle that would save us from gasoline. First, it was too expensive, second it was made in limited quantities, and third, the charging range was still not up to par (although admittedly better than anything else that existed a few years ago). And of course, people were actually betting that Tesla as a company was just a big experiment that would not survive the wrath of the Big Three for attempting to displace them. Then came the bankruptcies of the Detroit giants, and all of a sudden, Tesla seemed like a good idea.
Fast-forward a few years to 2013. Model S is the talk of the town, a proud exhibit at suburban shopping malls, and the cause of a strange (and most hilarious) scandal involving the New York Times. Hat's off to Elon Musk for big-mouthing his way to publicity--he played his cards perfectly.
It turns out, though, that the Model S is, in fact a deserving contender for a breakthrough vehicle, not just of 2013, but possibly of the entire decade. Its battery range is perfect for suburban driving, and if you got the 60K+ to spare and a AC socket in your driveway, you can't go wrong with the vehicle that screams beauty both on the inside and the outside.
Most importantly, the success of the Model S gives Tesla the teeth it so desperately needed to stand up to the established car giants (and not just the American ones). Based on the partnerships Tesla has already made with other manufacturers, car executives are watching Tesla very carefully and they are taking it seriously.
How quickly will competitors emerge with all-electric cars that can compete with Tesla's lineup, which includes the upcoming Model X? It's probably safe to say that the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt are not real contenders at this point. But others will appear, probably sooner rather than later. Tesla looks well equipped to fight for its own future and the future of a gasoline-free car industry. Do they have enough vision, resources, and discipline to keep going? Feel free to discuss.
Fast-forward a few years to 2013. Model S is the talk of the town, a proud exhibit at suburban shopping malls, and the cause of a strange (and most hilarious) scandal involving the New York Times. Hat's off to Elon Musk for big-mouthing his way to publicity--he played his cards perfectly.
It turns out, though, that the Model S is, in fact a deserving contender for a breakthrough vehicle, not just of 2013, but possibly of the entire decade. Its battery range is perfect for suburban driving, and if you got the 60K+ to spare and a AC socket in your driveway, you can't go wrong with the vehicle that screams beauty both on the inside and the outside.
Most importantly, the success of the Model S gives Tesla the teeth it so desperately needed to stand up to the established car giants (and not just the American ones). Based on the partnerships Tesla has already made with other manufacturers, car executives are watching Tesla very carefully and they are taking it seriously.
How quickly will competitors emerge with all-electric cars that can compete with Tesla's lineup, which includes the upcoming Model X? It's probably safe to say that the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt are not real contenders at this point. But others will appear, probably sooner rather than later. Tesla looks well equipped to fight for its own future and the future of a gasoline-free car industry. Do they have enough vision, resources, and discipline to keep going? Feel free to discuss.
