How did GM Create Teslas's Dream Car First?

voltage · Sep 14, 2016

I was going to post the whole article but it's pretty long. This is a great read and good pics too

The Bolt is also proof that, in the car industry, size matters — that even if they may be slow to come around to the latest tech, big automakers can alter the car business even more radically than Tesla has, purely as a function of their bigness.

Mr. Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, has made a habit of embarrassing his naysayers, but there are increasing signs that his little car-company-that-could is nearing the limits of its potential. This spring, Tesla unveiled its own low-priced car, the Model 3, which will sell for $35,000 before rebates, and will go 215 miles on a charge, which is less than the Bolt. About 400,000 people have paid $1,000 to get on the waiting list for the vehicle, which Tesla says will begin shipping to customers in late 2017.

But few industry analysts think Tesla will meet its production goals, and the very fact that there is a waiting list highlights its fundamental hardship. Tesla paved the way for the broad acceptability of electrics, but the Model 3 is, at this point, merely a concept car. G.M.’s Bolt goes on sale this year, and the company will probably be able to make enough to satisfy everyone who wants one.

It’s a delicious irony: Cocky billionaire makes grand promises in a blog post. Ten years later, he gets his wish, in the worst way.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/15/technology/how-did-gm-create-teslas-dream-car-first.html

GetOffYourGas · Sep 14, 2016

Musk's wish is that every OEM was making great EVs. He never wanted Tesla to go it alone. It is impressive that GM beat them to the punch, but let's not lose sight of Tesla's true vision. They want to accelerate the transition to electrified transportation by compelling the OEMs to make great EVs. And it worked. The Bolt is shaping up to be a great little EV.

SparkE · Sep 14, 2016

Musk certainly went about it the right way : soak the rich for money to pay for on-going research and to pay for design errors/shortcomings, to give you time to produce a car for 'most of the population' (that buys new cars).

The roadster cost over $100K, the model S was $70K+, the model 3 will cost 'almost' $40K (and many finish trims will be over $40K). Heck, his roll-out plan for the model 3 follows the same model : first shipments will be to those ordering the most expensive cars.

*I'm* certainly glad he built a big, hot fire under manufacturer's behinds! (And Nissan has to be given a lot of credit as well, for the LEAF.)

sam · Oct 21, 2016

A huge draw back for the Tesla is the long waiting period to receive your car. I do agree though with the lighting a fire Under other automakers to give the public what it wants and pave the way