I think there are too many who mistake The MISSION of Tesla Motors. Some are among Enthusiasts, though most are numbered among Naysayers. Tesla could have been a Supplier of custom drivetrains for hybrids, plug-in hybrids, ICE conversions, and various compliance cars for like,
EVER. They could have taken that path, and probably under the direction of a different CEO, would have done precisely that.
The company would have become profitable long ago. There would have been no reason to go public at all. They would have been smaller, but with a continually growing stack of cash in the bank that would have made Scrooge McDuck green with envy. Compliance cars across the land would sport cute little badges that read
'Powered by TESLA'. And absolutely no one, anywhere, would have the slightest clue that it was possible with today's technology to have an affordable long range fully electric car. And the entire traditional automobile industry along with the petroleum industry would have been perfectly happy to make sure it remained that way for another 25 or 30 years.
Personally, I'm glad it didn't go that way. It's not about making money. It's about making a difference.
Only 16 brands have sold at least 200,000 units to US Customers so far in 2016, through August. So those are the only ones on pace to sell at least 300,000 units this year. Very few of the brands that sell less than that are independent firms, as most are part of larger automotive groups that sell other brands here too. Those independents would be the
'smaller companies' that I refer to.
One of the traditional automobile manufacturers would have to break ranks with the rest. Currently even the least of them seem to be in line, a full lock step, progressing in rank and file, parade style in their eternal support and mutual commitment to ICE vehicles. It would be nice to see one of those companies that has shown potential for growth in the past manage to realize it by either going full electric, or introducing a product line that is fully electric within their brand. Someone perhaps like
Volvo,
Mitsubishi, or
Mazda could manage the feat, I think.
Volvo hasn't sold over 100,000 units in the US since 2007. They've only crossed 70,000 units twice during the interim. They could certainly use the influx of Customers that would come from interest in electric drive.
Mitsubishi also has not sold over 100,000 units here since 2007. But they have at least moved over 95,000 units twice, 2008 and 2015. Three times they sold less than 60,000 in the US over that time frame.
Mazda has actually not done too bad in recent years, compared to those two. They have sold at least 250,000 units for 14 years straight. Gradually increasing from a low of 207,767 in 2009 to reach 319,184 in 2015. But it seems their sales are slipping, as they've only moved 199,378 units through August 2016.
I hope one of them makes the move to electric. But I figure it most likely they never will. I find that unfortunate. Otherwise, it will require a bunch of much smaller companies to work toward the goal outside of the traditional automobile industry, and that would take much longer than should be necessary:
