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Originally Posted by TouringPleb

I know Tesla can always raise more money on the markets and I'm sure your wife will eventually see her Model 3, possibly by 2035.

I think (and I don't claim to be an expert) that Tesla had 12-18 months to get the Model 3 out in the market in significant numbers and dominate the market. All the while they struggle, BMW, Merc, Audi, Porsche etc are getting closer to their own pure electric models. Whilst Americans may be more open to new brands (e.g. Lexus, Infiniti) the European market has shown that we like to stick to our known brands. I just think that given the option of a Tesla or an electric 3 series or C class with equal performance, then most people will chose the BMW or Merc.

You have also got to think about dealership coverage, dealership workshops and independent specialists.

Not sure Testicle can get the same footprint as say VW or BMW through even just the UK.

Imagine having to drive 200miles to a dealership for a warranty repair lol.

[Darth Helmut]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Imagine having to drive 200miles to a dealership for a warranty repair lol.

You'd have to find a charging station en-route too....or have a fucking long extension lead.

I like the idea of Tesla as they are the first manufacturer to actually have a serious go at a usable leccy car and not just offer a ridiculous spakka-mobile type of effort. Trouble is, they sometimes attract the Honda Pious types. Hope they do succeed but its going to be tough as has been said; the mainstream are catching up and with that, offer the background support and stability that Tesla doesnt seem to be able to offer at the moment.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Darth Helmut

You'd have to find a charging station en-route too....or have a fucking long extension lead.

I like the idea of Tesla as they are the first manufacturer to actually have a serious go at a usable leccy car and not just offer a ridiculous spakka-mobile type of effort. Trouble is, they sometimes attract the Honda Pious types. Hope they do succeed but its going to be tough as has been said; the mainstream are catching up and with that, offer the background support and stability that Tesla doesnt seem to be able to offer at the moment.

That and it's an American car, not many American built / designed cars sell well over this side. The likes of Ford have Ford Europe to thank for cars that you can actually drive on fun roads.

[Cilonen]

Musk made Tesla's battery tech available - patent free - to all 2 years ago.

If the mainstream car manufacturers were serious about electric they'd have figured out how to integrate the tech into existing or upcoming models by now, and be trumpeting the new models. That they aren't speaks volumes.....

[bodtwo]

Originally Posted by Cilonen

Musk made Tesla's battery tech available - patent free - to all 2 years ago.

If the mainstream car manufacturers were serious about electric they'd have figured out how to integrate the tech into existing or upcoming models by now, and be trumpeting the new models. That they aren't speaks volumes.....

There is some truth in that but what you also have to consider is that tesla auto only makes EV, all the other companies have a mixed ICE, Hybrid portfolio they cannot just switch over.

There also isn't enough engineers to go around on current programmes.

When's the i-vision due? if bmw can create some healthy competition, maybe that will speed things up. If of course they can find enough cobalt, lithium, etc, etc.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Cilonen

Musk made Tesla's battery tech available - patent free - to all 2 years ago.

If the mainstream car manufacturers were serious about electric they'd have figured out how to integrate the tech into existing or upcoming models by now, and be trumpeting the new models. That they aren't speaks volumes.....

There are EVs out there from BMW and Nissan, but for now they are using it for city cars. That’s probably sensible in my view, as EVs are much too compromised in terms of range, price and charging points to replace larger cars without a large tax subsidy, and of course the tax subsidy will disappear with take-up.

That will change as battery tech improves and becomes cheaper. In five to ten years most mainstream manufacturers will have a range of EV models, including some which will cover longer distances. The fact that Tesla produce a large car today may help them a little, but they have just 11 dealers outside London to cover the whole of the UK. They will open a few more, but I doubt that the major players lose too much sleep over a niche player like Tesla.