With all this business about Tesla’s share price in the last week, it’s hard not to give the next wave automaker another once over. I’ve been a fan since the first day I heard about them. “Some one is making an electric car that you’d actually want to drive? Chassis from Lotus? Electric engine torque? Sign me up.” Not that I had the requisite 102 grand asking price.
And that brings us to the quick of the matter. The asking price is a reflection of the infancy of electric vehicle production. When you can spend 40% less to buy an Exige and get the same car only better in just about every way, the Tesla starts to look a bit dumb. This isn’t an innate problem with the electric drivetrain, which in theory offers some real improvements over the internal combustion system we all know and love, but a problem with the industry. Until a big manufacturer builds enough of these things to bring the costs of the materials down, the premium you pay for electric isn’t worth it.
Good news on that front, they are doing that..
I totally understand people’s trepidation about Tesla Motors, but even with that heinous price tag, they are moving units. Moreover, they are doing what desperately needs to be done to make electric vehicles into a real choice; they are making them sexy. They have mitigated that price problem by placing themselves on the market as a hip, geeky alternative to Porsche and Ferrari.
And now we hear that they are hiring away from Apple to improve their buying experience. Nicely done, Tesla. You really are the Apple of the car company right now; you should capitalize on that opportunity.
That all being said: if I had a spare 102 grand sitting around, I think I’d buy the Exige and put the rest into stocks. I hear Tesla Motors is cheap right now.
Tesla
With all this business about Tesla’s share price in the last week, it’s hard not to give the next wave automaker another once over. I’ve been a fan since the first day I heard about them. “Some one is making an electric car that you’d actually want to drive? Chassis from Lotus? Electric engine torque? Sign me up.” Not that I had the requisite 102 grand asking price.
And that brings us to the quick of the matter. The asking price is a reflection of the infancy of electric vehicle production. When you can spend 40% less to buy an Exige and get the same car only better in just about every way, the Tesla starts to look a bit dumb. This isn’t an innate problem with the electric drivetrain, which in theory offers some real improvements over the internal combustion system we all know and love, but a problem with the industry. Until a big manufacturer builds enough of these things to bring the costs of the materials down, the premium you pay for electric isn’t worth it.
Good news on that front, they are doing that..
I totally understand people’s trepidation about Tesla Motors, but even with that heinous price tag, they are moving units. Moreover, they are doing what desperately needs to be done to make electric vehicles into a real choice; they are making them sexy. They have mitigated that price problem by placing themselves on the market as a hip, geeky alternative to Porsche and Ferrari.
And now we hear that they are hiring away from Apple to improve their buying experience. Nicely done, Tesla. You really are the Apple of the car company right now; you should capitalize on that opportunity.
That all being said: if I had a spare 102 grand sitting around, I think I’d buy the Exige and put the rest into stocks. I hear Tesla Motors is cheap right now.