- #232 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [knightskye]
by beast56r2
-
Nov 29, 2007 (9:33 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: knightskye (Nov 29, 2007 4:45 pm)
Exactly, development is just that development. Teething problems are bound to crop up with anything that is new to the market, from autos to the very Operating System on the PC you are using right now. In fact, do you realize there are hundreds of auto recalls are ongoing daily for both new, and older domestic vehicles now on the road that no-one but the dealerships know about, and that these problems are corrected on the sly when the vehicles are brought in for service. The majority of people don't know about them because they don't get any press unless a problem arises as a result. If you don't believe me you need to become good friends with the service manager at your local dealership, like me. When he shows you the service recall binder that is 10 inches thick you will be amazed. So technical issues are a moot point.
The main point is that if Tesla succeeds, whether it be sooner or later, it will force the hand of the Big Three in Detroit to stop dragging their feet. If a small fledgling company like Tesla can do something like this, what could GM, Ford, or Chrysler with all their worldwide resources do if they really wanted to.
|
- #233 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [knightskye]
by tpe
-
Nov 30, 2007 (7:53 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: knightskye (Nov 29, 2007 4:45 pm)
And why are you being so negative about someone who doesn't even exist?
What are you talking about. My comment was that I hope Eberhard's successor has the same level of enthusiasm. How is that interpreted as negative.
A lot of Tesla's engineering has gone into designing this battery pack. I don't see them suddenly changing to a different Li-ion chemistry with significantly different characteristic. And if they chose to do this it would not be as trivial as you make it sound. A lot of new testing would have to take place. So I believe Tesla will stick with what they've got even though, IMO, it is not the best for an automotive application.
I don't know if you've noticed but Tesla is seriously dragging their feet on opening a manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, NM for their White Star sedan. This was supposed to happen some time ago. Their excuse is that they are still in the design phase. My guess is that they're in the need cash phase. I applaud Tesla for what they're trying to do and I sincerely hope for their success but I'm starting to see it as a long shot. Their best chance would have been to get out of the gate early. That's slipping away.
|
- #234 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [beast56r2]
by tpe
-
Nov 30, 2007 (8:02 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: beast56r2 (Nov 29, 2007 9:33 pm)
it will force the hand of the Big Three in Detroit to stop dragging their feet
GM's program to produce the Chevy Volt definitely seems to be on the fast track, no feet dragging. This is an EV and in many ways more significant than the Tesla since it will be affordable to a far bigger segment of the population. The Tesla Roadsters significance is primarily as a high profile showpiece that generates a lot of awareness for EVs and what they are capable of.
|
- #235 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [tpe]
by gagrice
-
Nov 30, 2007 (5:34 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: tpe (Nov 30, 2007 7:53 am)
I'm with you on this one. Tesla has a lot more to worry about than the Big 3 buying and burying them. The EPA will put them through financial hell with expensive crash tests etc. A small car company will have a hard time making it in this country. That ZENN company in Canada is a good example. They are being blocked by the Canadian government at every step. I think that is why Eberhard got out. He spent a lot of money, time and energy and it was going no where. The batteries he chose were doomed from the start. You cannot take a chance on batteries that can explode under charge. Ask Sony that recalled a million of their laptop batteries of that same design. EPA, NHTSA and CARB will do more to stop the advent of an Electric vehicle than the Big 3 and oil companies combined. They will regulate them into oblivion.
|
- #236 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [tpe]
by knightskye
-
Dec 04, 2007 (10:40 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: tpe (Nov 30, 2007 7:53 am)
What are you talking about. My comment was that I hope Eberhard's successor has the same level of enthusiasm. How is that interpreted as negative.
You had it listed as a "misstep" in your post. I figure if something is a misstep, it couldn't be positive.
|
- #237 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [knightskye]
by tpe
-
Dec 05, 2007 (7:38 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: knightskye (Dec 04, 2007 10:40 am)
Well Tesla's finally found a new CEO, his name is Ze'ev Drori. Eberhard has removed himself from the board of directors and given up his executive management duties. I just see it as a bad sign when the founder of a company decides to jump ship. Tesla's website states that he will still have a role in an advisory capacity but as far as I'm concerned that's just spin.
|
- #238 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [tpe]
by gagrice
-
Dec 05, 2007 (9:45 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: tpe (Dec 05, 2007 7:38 am)
I think his heart was in the right place. I just do not see how anyone would take the Tesla seriously. With its 6000 AA batteries or whatever the huge count was. It would be a maintenance nightmare. Battery cells go bad individually. Keeping track of which ones need to be replaced sent my mind into overload. For some no brains actor it would be NO problem. They drive it and when it stops they get AAA to tow it back to the shop. I look for a company like Mitsubishi or Nissan to give us a practical EV in the next 5 years. No one else has the deep pockets to R&D the batteries. Toyota is disallusioned with hybrids.
|
- #239 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [gagrice]
by tpe
-
Dec 10, 2007 (4:30 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: gagrice (Dec 05, 2007 9:45 pm)
Apparently Eberhard didn't quit, he was basically fired.
tesla
|
- #240 of 251
-
Re: The Tesla Roadster [tpe]
by gagrice
-
Dec 10, 2007 (6:25 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: tpe (Dec 10, 2007 4:30 pm)
Wow, that is not good news for Tesla. It reminds me of Apple, when they forced Steve Jobs out. They headed right for the toilet and stayed there till he came back and gave them a second chance. I think that Eberhard could go to several places and be productive. Maybe Lutz will hire him to head up the Volt program.
|
- #241 of 251
-
will the roadster have just one-speed?
by tpe
-
Jan 03, 2008 (6:23 am)
-
|
One of the biggest delays Tesla has encountered has been due to it's two-speed transmission. They've already gone through a couple suppliers and still haven't found one that's reliable. I'm reading reports that Tesla may consider just offering the Roadster with a single speed transmission. The impact on performance will be that instead of a 4 sec. 0-60 time it will be 5.7 sec. Still very fast but not the Ferrari like number that helped justify the $98k price tag.
tesla delays
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles 
