Earlier this year there were folks who were quite upset that there had been no new news about the 3 and I thought at the time that they just needed to relax. Well now my ability to relax is waning. It's been over eight months with no news (unless you count "oh by the way, the 3 will have all these sensors too"). Nothing about the the battery sizes, front end, trunk opening, standard features or the controls (other than that they will not be called Tesla Glass or Tesla Vision). How have there been no information leaks? Was Tesla this good at keeping things under wraps with the S/X? Did hopeful S/X buyers go this long with no news? I'm not to the point of being concerned about them falling too far behind schedule, just getting irritated by the lack of info to wet my mental whistle.
Rant over, thanks.
I noted elsewhere that Elon Musk and Tesla Motors have learned from previous mistakes.
Most notably, I have pointed out they really should not have introduced the Model X as a future vehicle before the Model S was on the road. Sure, it was only four months or so before the Model S came out, but since they thought at the time there wouldn't be much interest beyond the 10,000 or so Reservations for it, they intended to put the Model X on the market in late 2013. From my perspective, the overwhelming popularity of the Model S after it launched very necessarily pushed back the release of Model X. But to people who waited more than 2-1/2 years to get it, there is no viable excuse whatsoever.
But Tesla have made other mistakes. They announced the expected battery pack capacities and ranges for Model S
~*WAY*~ too early. They originally projected the Model S range at 320 miles with the 85 kWh battery pack, and around 230 miles with the 60 kWh battery pack, and I think they may have hoped for 180 miles for the 40 kWh battery pack. The problem was, those predictions were based on old data, gleaned from the 2-Cycle EPA test, which had a component measured at a constant 55 MPH. Now, they did down rate those projections somewhat as Production neared, to something like 300 miles, 225 miles, and 160 miles, I think. But...? When it arrived, the Model S had to be rated based upon the newer 5-Cycle EPA test instead. That resulted in a 265 mile EPA rated range for the Model S 85, 208 miles for Model S 60, and 139 miles for Model S 40. For anyone paying close attention, that was sorely embarrassing for Elon Musk.
And as was the case with Model S, they again made a mistake they thought they had prepared for with Model ☰, in that they didn't realize how much pent up demand there would be for the car. For all the Naysayers, Bears, $horts, and analysts that repeatedly claimed three years ago and ever since how much of a
'risk' the Gigafactory would be
(typically pointing to Fisker, Coda, Solyndra, and A123)... Receiving hundreds of thousands of Reservations within days and weeks let Tesla know they have no need to doubt their course of action at all.
I know it is frustrating that there was so much detail that was so deftly, yet still obviously, left out of the Model ☰ Reveal Part I. But we just have to understand that Tesla simply CANNOT release that data so early this time. They have learned that keeping things close to the vest is a good and proper strategy. I know that it is sometimes infuriating that the simplest details of the Model ☰ feature set, things you KNOW ought to be there, should have been decided already, have certainly been designed by now... are treated as National Secrets not to be divulged by even the highest ranking officials.
At this point, if Tesla could just release videos that show things as simple as the LATCH system used for securing baby carriers/boosters in the rear seat, or how to manually engage or disengage the child proof door handles it would be a big hit. Some of us would like to know whether the fitted luggage is actually going to appear for the frunk. Others are desperate to learn if they will be able to specify a nice distressed saddleback leather for the interior. This guy in particular wants to know if there is any hope of a Model ☰ P135D Coupe with Falcon Wing Doors appearing prior to 2020...
And the bottom line is that we just have to wait. It's OK. I turn 50 next year. Most would be hard pressed to guess I might be in my early 30s. I've been waiting for the right electric car, just for me, since I was around six. I can wait a little while longer. That doesn't mean I'm a patient man. I'm not, but at least I'm not
impatient. That is, I don't have negative quantities of patience. I don't demand things that aren't possible. These things take time. So I'll wait. And I'll have faith that Tesla Motors will satisfy my needs some day. That's a lot better than what GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, AUDI, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz will do.
