While it is cool that they do these these midstream changes, I think it might bite them in end.
1: It must drive production completely crazy and could add inefficiencies. I can't imagine how it wouldn't.
2: Owners are going to start getting pissed with both the confusing nature of it and the practically instant obsolescence. We are pretty used to it in the tech world, annoying as it is. But dropping this kind of coin and finding out that my model does not exist anymore, without warning, after only TWO MONTHS? Come on.
Fortunately, I have no intention of selling and trading up. As a matter of fact, my particular model
85+ could possibly have demand because it has the power that no other 2 wheel has now and the RWD. I absolutely did not want AWD again when I bought this. So, I am happy. But I bet there are a whole lot of annoyed S60 and S85 owners who bought in the last six months out there right now. Same for other P85+ owners who might value AWD over RWD. Where are they now? They are sitting with a car that is depreciating so quickly, the odometer can't keep up!
I am completely on the side of Tesla. I drank the Cool Aid and am a true believer. But I think they should tread carefully here. We early adopters (not so much anymore) are much more tolerant about these unexpected changes. The masses HATE change. So I hope that they are able to build a solid strategy around this to ensure that they do not end up alienating potential or past buyers.
Lastly, with all these sudden unannounced changes and then the back and forth on the website, it really looks a bit like they don't know WTF they are doing. I certainly hope that is not the case.