My Perfect Automobile » Tesla Motors

Tesla Shocks Wall Street, Stock Soars

Larry Bell — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:32:59 +0000

Tesla Model S interior

Shares of Tesla Motors stock surged 24 percent in value on a day when the company posted an $11.2 million profit and earned one of the highest-ever ratings in a Consumer Reports car review. The magazine awarded Tesla’s Model S electric sedan 99 out of a possible 100 points, primarily for exceptional handling and interior design. After a loss in the final quarter of 2012, the company’s stock roared back for Q1 2013, notching its first profitable quarter in company history. As the Model S is set to launch in Europe next month, the upstart electric vehicle maker realistically expects to sell 30,000 Model S cars this year.

Tesla and Google: Video

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is discussing driverless car technology with Google. Musk points out that “autopilot” science, as he refers to the technology, is a logical choice for ground transportation and is part of the inevitable future of motor vehicles. Now the two companies are talking about the possibility of adding driverless controls to some of Tesla’s electric cars. For a complete explanation of what the systems look like and how they work, see the short video clip above.

Tesla Motors

The Model S has already won rave reviews from various influential critics, amassed a shelf load of trophies, and outsold some of its much lower-priced rivals. After revamping, and upgrading, a resale price guarantee earlier in the week, Tesla Motors went on to log one of the most positive quarters any carmaker has seen in at least a decade. Tesla’s stock symbol is TSLA. Share value closed on Thursday at $69.40, showing a total capitalization of $8 billion. Benchmark small-cap stock indices have risen approximately 14 percent this year, while Tesla’s share price has enjoyed more than a 100 percent increase in value.

For more about Tesla Motors and Google, see the companies’ respective websites below:

http://www.teslamotors.com

http://www.google.com/about/company/

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Tesla Vs. Volt Vs. Leaf: The Winner is…

Larry Bell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:49:27 +0000

Tesla Model S, interior

The statistics read like a football game update. At the end of the first quarter, in a three-way contest, Tesla Motors has pulled ahead of its two rivals, Chevy and Nissan, by a score of 4,750 to 4,421, to 3,695. In the automotive world, that news is no less surprising. Electric carmaker Tesla will post sales of 4,750 Model S vehicles for the first quarter of 2013, a period in which GM has sold 4,421 Chevy Volts and Nissan Motor Co. of Japan has posted sales of 3,695 for its all-electric Leaf automobile. What makes the data even more unusual is the fact that the cars feature wildly differing base prices. The Leaf costs $28,000, while Tesla’s luxury electric sedan goes for $69,000 and Chevy’s hybrid-electric Volt carries a sticker of $39,000.

Tesla, Volt, Leaf: Video

Hybrid and electric car enthusiasts have no doubt seen dozens of videos featuring the Chevy Volt. Chances are this has not been one of them. It is, however, proof that the car has become so popular even dogs are choosing it as their favorite. Kidding aside, the fellow in the clip, and his clever pets, are the owners of a shiny new Volt. This is simply a record of their first-ever ride in the car, along with a few still shots of the canines enjoying some all-electric errand running courtesy of their private chauffeur.

Tesla Sales

Some analysts consider the newly released sales data relatively unimportant, given that Tesla, Chevrolet and Nissan sell to such diverse demographics. The Leaf is trying to carve out a niche for itself as an affordable, budget-minded EV. Tesla’s much higher price tag is not a magnet for those buyers, while the Volt sits squarely between the two extremes. Chevy’s groundbreaking Volt is well within reach of many car buyers after federal and state tax credits.

For more about Tesla Motors, Chevrolet, and Nissan Motor Co., see their official corporate websites:
http://www.teslamotors.com
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com

Larry Bell

Tesla in Texas: Musk Fights for Right to Sell Directly

Larry Bell — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:01:55 +0000

Tesla’s Model S may soon be available in Texas

Tesla Motors surprised the national media this week by convincing a powerful Texas legislative committee to advance a bill that would allow the electric carmaker to sell its vehicles directly to consumers, rather than use the traditional dealership system. Many auto dealers are attempting to stop Tesla from getting around the rule, and have tried to stop the bill from advancing. In a compromise of sorts, lawmakers this week added a key provision to the proposal, which would require Tesla Motors to use dealerships if the company breaks the 5,000-vehicle sales barrier in any given year.

Tesla Motors: Video

Shelby fans, racing enthusiasts, and Tesla devotees will enjoy the above video clip of a head-to-head speed contest between the venerable Shelby and a Tesla Model S. A classic quarter-mile at the drag track shows a lot about the power of these two cars. Notice that the victor is a mere 11 hundredths of a second ahead of the vanquished. Was the result a matter of different tires? Wheel size? Some other factor? Whether you like the final tally or not, there is no doubt that electric cars are no slouches in the speed department. Watch the video to see who wins.

Tesla in Texas: Fight for the Right

The Texas bill will now proceed to the House. A companion bill in the state Senate is moving along even faster than the House version. In any case, even if the bills do not survive this session of the legislature, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that his company will try again. With its huge population and massive automobile market, Texas would be a key win for Musk and Tesla, allowing the company to sell its electric vehicles directly to consumers in the Lone Star state.

For the latest about Tesla Motors, which often uses its corporate website to post breaking news about the company, visit:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla Seeks to Change Way Cars are Sold

Larry Bell — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:00:40 +0000

Tesla Model X

Tesla Motors’ CEO and founder Elon Musk is attempting to convince the Texas legislature to pass a law that would let his company sell directly to the public. Texas is one of the strictest states in the nation when it comes to allowing direct sales. As it stands, Texans who want a Tesla have to get one through out-of-state contacts. Musk calculates that cars sold in the state would make up about one-fifth of the company’s sales if the new law passes. Texas Governor Rick Perry said he would back the legislation if it gets through the legislature, according to Musk.

Tesla Financing Explained: Video

For a complete explanation of Tesla’s new Model S financing arrangement, the above video clip goes straight to the source, Tesla CEO and founder Elon Musk. During a nine-minute interview on Bloomberg West news, Musk delves into the reasoning behind the plan, how it works, and shows where the savings come from. During a recent Tesla Motors conference call with investors and consumers, Musk answered one of the most-asked questions about the new plan, namely, what his “personal” guarantee means. Simply put, as you will see in the clip, the CEO says if the car’s resale value falls below a certain threshold, he will buy the vehicle from its owner after three years. Not only is that a Tesla Motors’ corporate guarantee, but a personal one on behalf of private citizen Elon Musk.

Tesla Car Sales Law

Tesla is not the first auto manufacturer that has attempted to sell directly to the public. In the past, however, every time an automaker tried to bypass Texas dealerships, they were unsuccessful. This time, even though the odds are against him, Musk seems to think he has a chance at creating a new way of selling cars in Texas.

For more about Tesla Motors, see the company’s official website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla to Offer Unique Financing Arrangement

Larry Bell — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:06:27 +0000

Tesla Model S

Tesla Motors has joined with Bancorp and Wells Fargo in order to offer a unique lease arrangement for Model S customers. The banks will front the 10 percent down payment and get reimbursed with the federal tax credit. Those who opt for the lease will pay $500 per month for use of the car during the contract period. Many industry experts see the move as a wise bit of marketing on Tesla’s part, coming so soon after the automaker announced its first profitable quarter last week.

Tesla: Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twC1d-HEfJw

For those who would like to hear the announcement from Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself, the above video clip has the intrepid auto magnate sitting in front of a pair of Model S cars as he explains the ins and outs of the company’s latest financing arrangement. Pointing out that he personally stands behind the plan, and that Tesla offers to buy the cars back from those who lease for three years, Musk notes the advantages of electric drive in general. The lease allows for very low initial cash outlay, almost zero risk on resale value, ease of return and favorable tax treatment.

Tesla Financing

Tesla Motors was founded in 2003 and made a name for itself with the world’s first electric sports car, the Roadster. Since then, the company has gone on to produce the Model S electric sedan. Tesla also manufactures electric powertrain components and lithium battery packs for sale to other carmakers. The company’s Roadster employed an AC motor that was very similar to inventor Nikola Tesla’s 1882 version. Tesla Motors has worked with some of the industry’s better-known players, providing electric motors and in some cases lithium battery packs. A short list of the carmaker’s partners includes Toyota, Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz, and Freightliner Trucks. Tesla Motors’ is based in Palo Alto, Calif.

For more about Tesla Motors, see the company’s official website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla Announces Q4 Earnings

Larry Bell — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:38:04 +0000

Tesla Motors’ Model X

On what many called the most important day in the company’s history, Tesla Motors came out on the good side of things, reporting that it expects to show a profit when first quarter results for 2013 are released. Until today, Tesla Motors’ CEO Elon Musk had said he expected the carmaker to turn a profit much later this year, thus today’s report was an overall positive announcement for the firm. Even though the electric car manufacturer reported an $89 million loss for the fourth quarter of 2012, it delivered ten times as many Model S cars in the fourth quarter than in the third, and is continuing to ramp up production.

Tesla Motors: Video

In the video clip below, the reviewer does an in-depth comparison between the Tesla Model S and the Fisker Karma. She drives both cars through city and highway traffic, stops, starts, and parks. Her verdict might surprise you, given the fact that she began the session not caring for either of the cars. Both vehicles ranked high in the aesthetics department, which is something that seems to keep showing up in customer surveys for both the Model S and Karma. As for the ride itself, arrangement of controls, and related reviewer criteria, Tesla won points for its incredible amount of cargo space and ease of driving. Karma did well on several parameters as well, but the final decision between the two appeared to be an easy one for the professional reviewer. Watch and see how she decides.

Tesla Earnings

Tesla spokespersons, including the company’s CEO, Musk, also announced that the firm has at last achieved its desired production goal of 20,000 cars per year. Tesla Motors, according to the latest data, expects to show a profit margin of approximately 25 percent for all of 2013.

For more about electric carmaker Tesla Motors, see the company’s official website:
Tesla Announces Q4 Earnings

Tesla Motors: Video

Tesla Earnings

For more about electric carmaker Tesla Motors, see the company’s official website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla, 1. New York Times, 0

Larry Bell — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:54:58 +0000

Tesla Model S

New York Times reporter John Broder’s boss has backed away from her employee’s review of the Tesla Model S. Broder apparently took the car from New York to Boston under real-world conditions. CNN, CNBC, and Consumer Reports have all replicated the trip, taken better notes, made clearer documentation of their journeys, and reached a different conclusion than Broder did. Tesla CEO Elon Musk thinks something is not right with this picture. He took the newspaper to task with a letter that virtually deluged the Times with accurate data about the car, as opposed to the unreliable, questionable report by Broder.

Tesla Model S: CNN’s Test Drive

In light of the fact that the New York Times has admitted their review of the Tesla Model S fell short in the areas of judgment and precision, have a look at a more thorough, balanced, and professional review of the car from CNN’s testers, who took the Model S for an extended trip very similar to what the New York Times reporter attempted. In this case, however, CNN documents all of its stops, driving habits, and itineraries along the way. If you have not driven a Tesla Model S, the reviewers’ comments are quite enlightening, providing a real-world experience via the magic of video.

Tesla Model S

Calling the Times story “a fake,” Musk went on to provide factual data from the car’s log which essentially proved that Broder either did not take authentic notes, or was merely guilty of “imprecision,” as his New York Times editor put it. The fact of the matter is that combustion cars and electric ones both lose range in very cold weather, up to about 10 percent in typical cases. Broder’s poor judgment, according to his boss, led to a review that could not be relied upon. In case you are interested in a complete, objective review of how a Tesla Model S holds up on the New York to Boston journey, see the video clip above.

For more about Tesla Motors, and to see some gorgeous photos of the Model S, Model X, and the Tesla Roadster, see the company’s official corporate website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla Motors Set for Historic Week

Larry Bell — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 02:35:34 +0000

Tesla Model X

Tesla Motors will announce the exact release date for its fourth-quarter 2012 earnings statement this week. Having already booked 13,000 customer orders for the Model S electric sedan, Tesla will likely sell every car it manufactures in 2013. Tesla Motors is also in the process of fitting the U.S. highway system with a network of charging stations designed specifically for its vehicles. Many of those stations are already in place on the East Coast and throughout California. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, has predicted that 2013 will see a profit margin of 25 percent for his firm.

Tesla Motors: Video

View the clip below for a complete look at the interior of the Tesla Model X, which was on display at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. As the reviewer mentions, the 17-inch touch screen definitely dominates the view from the driver’s seat. As he tests the controls, notice that virtually everything, from door locks and climate control, to lights and seat adjustment, are a part of the display’s command language. A triple-row SUV that can hold up to seven passengers, the Model X is an impressive work of EV engineering.

Tesla Model X

Latest news from the automaker says the Model X production line will start up toward the end of 2013, and aims for customer deliveries early next year. Before federal and local tax credits and any other incentives, unofficial price estimates for the Model X hover in the $75,000-$85,000 range, though the company has not verified pricing for the car yet. One thing is certain, namely that the Model X will be offered with a choice of all-wheel-drive or rear-drive. In addition, as with the Model S, Tesla Motors will sell Model X in two different battery-pack sizes.

For more about the U.S.-based electric carmaker, see the official Tesla Motors website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Elon Musk: Changing the Face of Transportation

Larry Bell — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:54:15 +0000

An Elon Musk creation: Tesla Roadster

Green transportation entrepreneur Elon Musk, founder of Tesla Motors, is considered one of the world’s leading innovators. The Tesla Roadster, Model S, and Model X have the potential to completely transform the look of passenger travel in this century. Musk is also the founder of PayPal, an online payment firm, and Space X, which works to advance the state of rocket science and space travel. The 41-year-old green visionary holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in physics and the other in business. He also created the Musk Foundation, a charitable organization that encourages green energy development, science education, and child healthcare.

Elon Musk: Video

For a fascinating look at Space Exploration Technologies, aka Space X, view the short video clip above. Elon Musk founded the company in 2002 and it is now the premier privately owned space exploration company in existence. Besides ferrying supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), Space X has created originally designed rockets as well as a cargo and crew capsule. Space X sent a mission to the ISS last May, and is currently working under a NASA contract worth over $1.5 billion. Headquartered in Hawthorne, Calif., the company is attempting to reuse all of its rockets by developing a vertical landing system for each spacecraft.

Elon Musk

Always the innovator and philosopher, but with a keen sense of humor, Musk once commented on the computer age by noting, “In terms of the Internet, it’s like humanity acquiring a collective nervous system. Whereas previously we were more like a collection of cells that communicated by diffusion. With the advent of the Internet, it was suddenly like we got a nervous system. It’s a hugely impact thing.” However, when not ruminating about the meaning of our existence, Musk definitely has a lighter side, explaining, “I would like to die on Mars; just not on impact.”

For more about Tesla Motors, see the company’s official corporate website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla Model X: Get Ready

Larry Bell — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:34:24 +0000

Tesla Model X

Deliveries for the Tesla Model X will begin in calendar year 2014, when the luxury SUV electric car will be competing in the price range of Audi, Volvo, BMW, Lexus, and other high-end models. With optional all-wheel-drive, the X seats seven and features a very low center of gravity. The electric SUV leaps to 60 mph in a tad under 5 seconds and will be unique among production cars with its gull-wing doors.

Tesla Model X: Video

Here is a rare treat, in the form of a video test drive of the Tesla Model X electric car. Join the driver as he spends a bit of time tooling around with a carload of passengers in the X, all the while delivering a verbal review right down to the feel of the seats and the solidity of the control buttons. Because there is not nearly as much media attention on the X right now, as opposed to the Model S, this test ride is a good preview of things to come. You need not be a Tesla fan to appreciate the futuristic styling and elegant design flourishes on the Model X.

Tesla Model X

As the very definition of ‘cutting edge’ technology, the Model X achieves 90 mpg-equivalent. Anticipated pricing for the X is thought to be in the $62,000-$100,000 range, which will run from base model to top of the line, loaded version.

For up to date news from Tesla Motors, see the company’s official website. Unlike many auto manufacturers, Tesla uses its corporate site to release breaking news items about its vehicles. Besides that, the site is packed with some stunning photography of the Roadster, Model S, and Model X electric cars. Green transportation enthusiasts have been known to spend hours perusing the Tesla Motors website, so be warned. It is addictive!
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla CEO Talks EV Future

Larry Bell — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:56:01 +0000

Tesla Roadster: Greenest

Speaking in the aftermath of a hard-fought U.S. presidential election, Tesla Motors CEO, Elon Musk, said he thinks the outlook for electric cars will not go backwards, but may advance a bit in the next year or two. In a related comment, the entrepreneur took the opportunity to mention a pet cause, namely federal tax credits for electric vehicles. Musk would like to see the federal share of such credits rise to $10,000, but whether that happens or not, the automaker will be installing fast-charge stations around the U.S. throughout 2013. After his Model S won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award this week, Musk is in demand at media events and automotive gatherings.

Tesla: Video

For a look back at where it all began, view the following video clip, which features a short profile of the Tesla Roadster’s origins. As the narrator points out, July of 2006 was when the world got its first clue about what was to come, when Tesla Motors announced its plans for the Roadster. A lucky few, the clip’s narrator among them, was invited to the Tesla plant to test drive the car. Considering how far the company has traveled since those early days, it is interesting to note the same feel, the same sense of wonder that all Tesla cars inspire. Just watching the film of a Roadster climbing along mountain roads imparts a sense of what the company is all about.

Telsa

The Tesla Model X, a crossover vehicle, should see showrooms by sometime in 2014. After that, the company will be building its long-awaited entry for the mid-price range, a $30,000 EV that is yet unnamed. Some have suggested “Model E,” to connote the word “electric,” but also to complement the other two models, the S and the X.

For more information about Tesla Motors, and plenty of gorgeous photographs of the Roadster and Model S electric cars, see the company’s official corporate website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla Roadster: The Ultimate Trade-in

Larry Bell — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 01:09:08 +0000

Tesla Roadster, for sale once again

If you are in the enviable position of wanting to trade your Tesla Roadster for a new Model S, the company that makes both of those cars has a deal for you. Tesla Motors has begun an official buyback program for owners who want to do the exchange and park a new Model S in the driveway. Tesla normally doesn’t take trade-ins, but in this case, they are making an exception. Bring in the old car and you will get an immediate credit toward the purchase of an S. After that, Tesla stores will refurbish the traded-in Roadsters and offer them for sale at discounted prices, likely in the $75,000 range.

Tesla Roadster: Video

Just about everything you ever wanted to know about the Tesla Roadster Sport can be found in the review video below. The narrator does a superb job detailing all the specs, explaining how the Sport is different from the standard Roadster, and basically giving us the A-to-Z about Tesla’s sportiest version of its sportiest car. When even a three-year-old car looks futuristic, you’re dealing with a company that knows something about design, style, and performance. The clip is slightly over six minutes in length, and the reviewer packs in enough information to make anyone a quick expert on the sleek Roadster Sport. Enjoy.

Tesla Roadster

Those who scoff at the $75,000 price tag for a “used” car should consider that we are talking about one of the most sought after sports cars of all time, which originally sold for well over $109,000. This is not a used Yugo for sale on the Internet. It is a high-end, electric sports car that you are now able to acquire at a 30 percent discount, at least. That’s saying something.

For much more about the cars made by Tesla Motors, and some breathtaking photos of the Roadster, see the company’s official corporate website:
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell