The good news is that for us East coasters, dual motor and performance packages should be available by the time we configure! I just hope it is still within my doable price range.
Dan
I still think being told his company is a government charity case grates on Elon, especially when you look at the record of accomplishment compared to all the other places the government spends money - and private industry for that matter.
Elon can solve all that with product line definition on the Model 3. (And because a lot of work on costs, GF, etc).
If you take that first white RC with the winter/racing wheels (tall sidewall and low unsprung weight), and position that the same way BMW ince positioned their enthusiast 3 Series. That car can be a post at the low end of the price scale.
It will be that configuration that lets Elon lower the price in concert with the expiration of the production volume based tax rebates. He is going to build every currently ordered US vehicle to get the full rebate. The purpose here is to push Tesla further down the experience curve than any competitor.
So what starts as a continuum, of sales price variation in the offering, should get a gap with that first white RC ending with a price of $26,500 when the incentives expire. Then comes the all wheel drive version at $29K. For colors and other wheels options the price never moves. The one that tracks the reduction in incentives is a 'special edition.' Everything else holds 'day one' pricing.
This lets Elon point out perfect citizenship again.
It makes him the Henry Ford of the modern EV era.
It keeps stock holders happy as the cars will have margin at ASP.
It also lets you get your vehicle. (You getting your vehicle is an enabler for the whole cycle, by the way.)
At least that is how I would like to see it play out. I bet there are a lot of people at Tesla who would like to see this as well - as it is consistent with their mission.
