Ageless love of driving is on crash course with the 'autonomous car' - That's That - IslandPacket.com
Has anyone given Bob a drive in the Model S? I can't help but think he is quietly grateful he got out just in time.
Based on my experience that he will go out of his way to not be in the vicinity of any electric car (other than the Volt), I suspect he wouldn't be willing to go for a drive in an S. At the Seattle event in September, he made sure that there was no photo op other than in front of the Volt and the Via. I was pretty disappointed in him for a number of reasons.
Sometimes there is no mystery and things are exactly as they seem. I also heard him talk about how there is no global warming. Pretty sure there were no puppet masters behind the curtain on that one. I could go on.
A man of his position might have a Tesla close transported to an away from it all road/track for a drive. To your point we would not likely hear his reaction to the S on TV soon.
There is a nice video of an interview with Bob and Elon by Charlie Rose (if my memory serves me right) where he has nothing but praise for the Model S and expresses his opinion that it will be a success. Elon responds with a surprised "really?". So I think some of the comments here, particularly from Bonnie, are without basis or merit.
I'm speaking from my personal experience, J, what I saw and heard. I'm not just taking pot shots. - - - Updated - - - To be clear ... I heard him speak about how global warming is not real, greatly upsetting an audience. As the featured speaker, I heard him talk about how the Volt was the right solution and all-electric was not. I heard him understate the Model S range significantly and overstate the price significantly - to the point you know it was not a mistake. I watched him avoid even walking by the Fiskers, Leafs, Teslas. So while you think my comments are without basis or merit, understand that my comments come from a place of disappointment. I thought he was better than that. I was excited he was there, that he was going to speak. Like you, I started from a place of assuming good intent, having seen some of his interviews, etc.
Unfortunately for all of us, it is now pretty clear that he is dead wrong. I can respect that opinion, in isolation of other details, because there is some case for it. I think the VIA plug-in serial hybrid trucks are the right solution for that particular market segment (fleet trucks etc.). I disagree however about personal transport - full electric is clearly the better route to go in most situations. In these situations it's hard to be sure whether the opinion reflects an honest evaluation of the facts by that individual or whether it is (deliberately or not) self-serving. That pretty much clinches it. If you are confident of your opinion you don't have to exaggerate the facts to make your point. It massively undermines you. That's just plain petty.
The VIA truck was pretty cool - it had exterior plugs for both 120V and 240V. And that caught the attention of a lot of folks walking by.
Like I said, the VIA trucks are pretty cool. I've had the chance to drive an Alpha and a Beta, and have had a ride in a Beta 2. I think VIA has a great future. I just don't think there's any reason to criticize anyone else's efforts (e.g. pure EVs) along the way. There's plenty of room in the market for everyone. The real "enemy" is pure ICE vehicles.
Yes, in the long run. For "right now" the Volt is an excellent car, no question, and you absolutely made the right decision in buying one.