Tesla stock,now for public sale in America

[Nicksfix]

Tesla,setting up to sell to the public.

I personally see this going bad,real fast. Are Americans really set to buy a $50.000.00 electric car ? The whole concept of electric cars has not been graciously accepted so far in America.I just don't think the states are ready for this,especially at that price and limited (300 mi.) capability before having to charge it up.

Sure,it accelerates fast : 0 - 60 in under 4 seconds.
Other than that,I can't see too much embracing going on with this car.

 

[niky]

The Roadster has already been for sale for quite some time. The article is about Tesla selling stock.

Don't know if it'll be worth much. More of a risk than an investment.

 

[Nicksfix]

Re-edited.
My typographical error,sorry for the mis-lead on previous post.

 

[niky]

Oh. No worries, then. 👍

Still... a lot of industry observers aren't keen on the stock (and who would be, really?), but I guess there are enough "green" suckers out there that they might sell a hundred shares or so...

 

[homeforsummer]

Remember too that this is a growing market, and that Tesla are still yet to put on sale a model that's both cheaper, more practical and has a greater range than the Roadster (the Model S, mentioned in the article).

I can't see how a 300 mile range should be considered "limited". 300 miles is very good wheh most electric cars barely manage 100. And is 300 miles really that mjuch less than most of the cars on the road now? I'd suspect the only reason cars in the States do more than that is by having an absolutely enormous fuel tank, given how uneconomical most of them are.

Relevant to the range thing: A Tesla fan in the UK borrowed a Roadster and then did a 772 mile road trip in it. The full story the article links to is fascinating. The driver points out that after the 200-odd miles range he was getting he was often ready to stop for a break anyway, stretch his legs, go sightseeing etc. On a 30-45 min quick charge that was just about the perfect amount of time.

 

[niky]

i quite agree that the 300 mile range is a non-starter for most owners... but the fact that the company hasn't sold very many cars and is already struggling for capital for the follow-up model won't impress many potential investors.

 

[Jondot]

Why is everyone so upset at 'only' being able to go 300 miles? It's enough to drive from London to Newcastle with miles to spare, and that is plenty when you're sitting in a battery powered Lotus Elise. If you want a car for a road trip, buy a frigging Sienna...

Of course this isn't a sensible car. Neither is the car it's based on, so you can't really criticise it for being unpractical when that's not the point of the thing.

 

[homeforsummer]

To put the 300 miles into perspective, that's ballpark what I get from my MX5. Last time I did roughly that distance in a day, it was the Newcastle to London trip that Jondot mentions above. The car was parked all day in London, so could have sat nicely charging down there, and it would have been enough to get me back home. Where it'd go on charge again.

I agree with the majority that a 100 mile range is a little small for an EV to be an only car, but unless you're planning a mega road trip, 300 miles is plenty. And if you were planning a mega road trip, a 30-45 minute fast charge would allow you nice little breaks every 4/5 hours or so to stretch your legs and get a bite to eat.

Incidentally Jon, it's the Model S that'll have the 300 mile range. The Roadster is nearer 200 miles (Leeds to London in one go), which still isn't shabby for a relatively new technology. That the Model S will be cheaper yet have a greater range is quite impressive. Still expensive, but definitely heading the right way.

 

[Azuremen]

300 miles is rather silly in the US though. 200 is even more so. Most weekend road trips around here involve a 400 mile trip to Seattle, then back a day or two later, with driving around the Sound, etc.

Few years back I commuted about 100 miles a day. I have a day trip I make a couple of times a month that is over 200 miles in all, and I just end up at home at the end of it all.

And while, yes, 300 miles is on par with a tank of gas in many cars, it takes a bit longer to recharge than put 10 gallons of petrol in something.

 

[homeforsummer]

True, but a 300 mile range is on the cusp of being properly useable. Moreso in Europe than the States admittedly, but five years ago you'd struggle to get 60 miles out of something with the performance of a milk float...

 

[Azuremen]

True, but a 300 mile range is on the cusp of being properly useable. Moreso in Europe than the States admittedly, but five years ago you'd struggle to get 60 miles out of something with the performance of a milk float...

Well, you are fairly, actually, completely wrong.

But thats okay.

Here you go.

Commuter Cars Tango.

I first saw one, in person, some 7 years ago. And it puts down better performance numbers than the Tesla. It just isn't as pretty.

Tesla was not the first manufacturer to this game. Not by a long shot. They are the first to get much attention because they had more money backing them and the Tesla is pretty (thanks to Lotus) and so gathered more attention from the public.

 

[Jondot]

Tesla was not the first manufacturer to this game. Not by a long shot. They are the first to get much attention because they had more money backing them and the Tesla is pretty (thanks to Lotus) and so gathered more attention from the public.

Not to mention having a CEO that behaves like Larry David.

 

[homeforsummer]

Well, you are fairly, actually, completely wrong.

But thats okay.

Here you go.

Commuter Cars Tango.

I first saw one, in person, some 7 years ago. And it puts down better performance numbers than the Tesla. It just isn't as pretty.

Tesla was not the first manufacturer to this game. Not by a long shot. They are the first to get much attention because they had more money backing them and the Tesla is pretty (thanks to Lotus) and so gathered more attention from the public.

Wow, one car. One ugly as hell car. And 300lb heavier than the Tesla. Likely not as fun to drive either. And a pathetic range. 40-60 miles? Exactly what I said in other words. You have to spank down more money to get batteries that manage 150 miles, and you can bet that's an absolute maximum when you're not using the full performance.

I'd heard of the Tango but it's not really a serious competitor. Showroom appeal is ridiculously important with electric cars because most people wouldn't yet give them a second glance without great styling.

The majority of electric cars before the Tesla were little plastic shopping trolleys with a hopeless range, hopeless performance and even more hopeless styling.

The Tesla has got as much attention as it has because it's very good at what it does, and has merit above and beyond it's powertrain.

 

[YSSMAN]

The thing that makes Tesla special for me is that they're the first one to do it, with moderate success, and they appear to be sticking to their formula. I can't argue with that. Partnering with Toyota is a pretty brilliant idea, and it should secure the future of the company for some time. I myself am looking to buy a few shares of it once things settle out here, more as a statement that I believe in what they're doing than anything else.

RE: 300 Miles
I'd say that for the most part, its about right. A 300 mile charge will get me to Chicago (or Detroit) and back from my house. It gets you from Miami to Key West, and back. That's a pretty decent trip, I'd say. So, unless you're looking to drive across the country in a day, sure it isn't the most practical solution to your problem. But, when you can afford a $100K+ Roadster or a $50K+ Model S, chances are that you have a petrol car or truck you would be using otherwise.

The thorn in the side of the Model S will be the Volt and Toyota's plug-in Prius, but even then, their range will likely be almost identical. For most people, 300 miles is quite a distance. If Tesla, GM or Toyota can convince them to spend $50K on an electric car that does that, kudos to them.

 

[Philly]

I'd say 300 miles is more than enough. My guess is that the vast majority of buyers will live in the suburbs 20-50 miles outside the city, commute there and back once a day and maybe go to the grocery store. I couldn't see a range of more than 100 miles being needed. Plus, those families will also still be able to pile into their Range Rover or Suburban for the three or four times a year that they need to actually leave the city. Nobody in their right mind is going to buy a Model S and not have a petrol car as a backup. That's just stupid.

 

[Azuremen]

Wow, one car. One ugly as hell car. And 300lb heavier than the Tesla. Likely not as fun to drive either. And a pathetic range. 40-60 miles? Exactly what I said in other words. You have to spank down more money to get batteries that manage 150 miles, and you can bet that's an absolute maximum when you're not using the full performance.

I'd heard of the Tango but it's not really a serious competitor. Showroom appeal is ridiculously important with electric cars because most people wouldn't yet give them a second glance without great styling.

The majority of electric cars before the Tesla were little plastic shopping trolleys with a hopeless range, hopeless performance and even more hopeless styling.

The Tesla has got as much attention as it has because it's very good at what it does, and has merit above and beyond it's powertrain.

You mean they did a good job putting batteries in a Lotus? The Tesla is in no way ground braking. Sorry. It is another petrol designed car body that someone has switched out the drivetrain in.

I was making more a point that people had approached the performance electric car ages ago. And the Tango is fun to drive, and handles quite well (I know the owner and creator) given that I've seen it autocrossed and run at the strips. And he is quite into handling, given he drives an old Miata around most of the time, setup for auto-x as well. They had a contract with Prodrive for assembly, who then pulled out, which pretty much ruined their ability to produce the more sane variants.

As for the range, on an electric car, it really does matter on how much you drive it and how you drive it. You won't see 300 miles if you are tearing around non-stop in a Tesla. And the Tango does up to 200 depending on setup.

Really not bad when you consider the safety weight in the Tango, the fact it was designed initially in a guys garage, and 10 years ago. But its okay, the Tesla is prettier so all else is a mute point.

Please, read and think before you just jump into assumptions land. The primary part of this thread is the stock of Tesla going on sale, and given reception of virtually all electric cars here, it will have one hell of a hard time, more so in the current economic situations.

 

[Nicksfix]

300 miles is rather silly in the US though. 200 is even more so.


And while, yes, 300 miles is on par with a tank of gas in many cars, it takes a bit longer to recharge than put 10 gallons of petrol in something.

I agree,some of our weekend roadtrips far exceed the 300 mile mark. I don't feel we should have to stop over night and let our car charge up,that would just kill the weekend.As for the everyday run-a-bout,it may work for some type of people,but it's not for everybody

So for the average American who may take longer trips over the course of a weekend,this is far from practical. Which is why I say that a fair amount of U.S. citizens will not back or buy stock into the idea of a $50K electric car,especially from a company that is struggling.


EDIT : 1st day shares rise.This could be interesting.

 

[niky]

Looks like someone is going to have a fine vacation in South America after Tesla collapses...

I'm surprised, really. Tesla has always been a borderline business case. Might be that people are looking for a sure thing in this blah market. Let's see what happens after a month.

RE: practicality: Misses the point of what toys like this are about. There are people who airlift their Veyrons around because it's cheaper to do that than to actually drive them from place to place. There are people who trailer their supercars between tracks... and people who actually buy supercars that have to be trailered between tracks because they're not road legal.

A Tesla will be bought. Will do some commuting and coffee-shop duty. Will sometimes, maybe/maybe-not, see a racetrack. It's not a daily car, not by a longshot.

And yet, a 300-mile four door from Tesla would be. That's just enough range to do a regular commute, and just enough for a short Sunday drive. There are people who drive Mitsubishi Evos on a daily basis, and you'd be lucky to get 300 miles from one tank... you get even less if you drive them at full blat everywhere.

Not fun waiting half an hour or so for the car to recharge (that's if electric charging stations become popular enough that you can fast-charge in public), but it's not the end of the world.

Still, like Azureman says... the Tesla is far from groundbreaking, excepit in the fact that they've managed to pack more batteries in their car than anyone else. (the Venturi Fetish, though very limited, came out earlier, and was almost exactly the same kind of car as the Tesla).

 

[homeforsummer]

You mean they did a good job putting batteries in a Lotus? The Tesla is in no way ground braking. Sorry. It is another petrol designed car body that someone has switched out the drivetrain in.

Difference to everything else though: They've made it work.

As for the range, on an electric car, it really does matter on how much you drive it and how you drive it. You won't see 300 miles if you are tearing around non-stop in a Tesla. And the Tango does up to 200 depending on setup.

...

Please, read and think before you just jump into assumptions land.

Assumptions? I was going off the data on their own website...

Really not bad when you consider the safety weight in the Tango, the fact it was designed initially in a guys garage, and 10 years ago. But its okay, the Tesla is prettier so all else is a mute point.

You jest but it pretty much is, for the reasons I already mentioned. Companies will have a lot harder time selling ugly or unusual electric cars than they will selling one that looks good.

No different from normal cars actually, but with even more emphasis because people don't yet trust electric cars.

The primary part of this thread is the stock of Tesla going on sale, and given reception of virtually all electric cars here, it will have one hell of a hard time, more so in the current economic situations.

I agree with you.

 

[Azuremen]

Difference to everything else though: They've made it work.

I really wouldn't say its a success just yet.

Assumptions? I was going off the data on their own website...

In regard to the handling and to drive factors.

You jest but it pretty much is, for the reasons I already mentioned. Companies will have a lot harder time selling ugly or unusual electric cars than they will selling one that looks good.

No different from normal cars actually, but with even more emphasis because people don't yet trust electric cars.

I think more people would rather have a city car that is more of a city car than a standard sized car, since space and parking and all that.

But then again the average person is a tool.

I agree with you.

Well, at least we've got that

 

[homeforsummer]

I really wouldn't say its a success just yet.

I meant that objectively. The car is a success, sales are another matter...

In regard to the handling and to drive factors.

I read plenty of "go-kart-like" comments about the car on the net, but it'd have to be quite something to be more fun than a car weighing 300lb less with a longer wheelbase and wider track. Is that too great an assumption to make?

I think more people would rather have a city car that is more of a city car than a standard sized car, since space and parking and all that.

I'm sure if the Model S becomes a success Tesla would consider a smaller car. They're already proving the drivetrains for the Smart ED - the only trouble with that car is that it's too small to fit enough batteries in to give it as long a range as other Teslas.

Thing is, I still think that electric cars are in the stage of their lifecycle that halo cars are important to raise awareness (and also to hide memories of things like the G-Wizz and such...).

Cars like the Tesla Roadster make people think "hmm, if it works in a sports car, maybe a city car wouldn't be such a bad idea".

But then again the average person is a tool.

This I also agree on.

Well, at least we've got that