Tesla tagged posts

Today Tesla release information regarding their entry-level sports car, presumably aiming at competitors such as the BMW 3-sereis and Mercedes-Benz C class etc. Below are information confirmed:

– New car will be called: Model III
– 20% smaller than the Model S
– Starting around $35,000
– 200 mile range from a full charge
– Will use lithium-ion batteries

According to the report from PCMag, the upcoming Tesla CUV – the Model X, will possibly carry a base price of “only” $55,000, compared to Model S base price tag of $62,400 (both with the $7,500 federal tax credit taken into consideration). This is an approx. 12% price cut.

The possible lower price does not mean less quality or offering in the Model X. In fact the Model X comes with AWD as standard, so 2 electric motors in Model X vs. single electric motors in the Model S.

For the Model X, besides the pricing, what I mostly concern is whether the issues found in the Model S have been addressed, for example the lack of some “must-have” features such as illumination for the...

By now most of you must have read the news that New Jersey had passed a bill to allow ZEV makers to sell their cars directly to the public, without participation of dealerships.

Obviously this is good news for this bill’s major beneficiary – Tesla Motors, because Tesla only allows you to purchase their product directly from them, with MSRP. This is somewhat similar to Apple – you seldom see discounted sales of iPhone or iPad etc.

Proponents of the direct sales model are claiming that without the dealership as middleman, auto makers can eliminate variances in service qualities and marketing efficiencies.

At the same time, opponents are reasoning that, without dealer...

Insider news from Tesla Motors indicates there are plans in the pipeline for the hot-selling Model S: an extended wheelbase version (with extra battery capacity because of the additional space), and the all-wheel-drive option across the product line.

However, these plans comes without surprise. That is because we have already heard some customers’ complaint about the not-so-roomy rear seat legroom (considering its 116.5-in standard wheelbase), and the winter driving considerations for people live around the snowbelt areas.

These options are also welcomed in oversea markets...

Unlike our US market, imported cars sold in China are heavily taxed based on multiple factors such as the engine’s displacement.

But apparently the tax policy does not work on electric cars. Yesterday Tesla released its product pricing for Chinese market. The Model S 60kWh carries a price tag of RMB 648,000 (around USD $103,885 using today’s FX rate). Do not be surprised about the USD equivalent value, because cars are way more expensive in China. For example the Lexus GS350 FSport’s MSRP in China is RMB 780,000 (around USD $125,046).

In US, a Lexus GS350 FSport MSRP = $53,280, a Tesla Model S 60kWh MSRP = $69,900; In China, after converting to USD, the GS350 is sold for ...