Well, let's just hope that if it works out that the seats can't be kept without sacrifices, Elon doesn't go all Steve Jobs and say it's his way because it's the right way or some crap
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Does anyone have pictures or illustrations on how they FORESEE the 2 chairs sitting? I've heard backwards, frontwards as a 3rd row etc, but never seen any pictures. It also worries me that it looks like the seats are basically in the trunk
I'm really torn on this -- for me personally, it would be a great option to have the additional seating, but with the aerodynamics of an EV, plus the added space needed to put the two seats in (even if they fold into the trunk), plus the extra LATCH bars, seat belts etc., I'm just not sure it's a worthwhile sacrifice to make for people who have pre-teenage children. I ultimately want Tesla to sell as many cars as possible, and I'm not sure that young parents are a big enough market for them, or that it makes enough difference to them to have the additional two seats which will cause a loss of space or leg room for everyone else buying the car who doesn't have young children.
Vans in this country get HORRIBLE gas mileage. For years now Toyota has had hybrid minivans in Japan but has been unwilling (unable?) to sell them here. I've been looking in for a seven-person reasonable car for about 6 years. While I'm all for having comfort in the second row, I bet there will be as many mothers carrying a bunch of children as there will be professionals carpooling 4 grownups around. Personally I hope it stays 7-seat.
(also a first post!)
A bit off-topic, but I share copdoc's frustration. I realize that South Florida is not exactly like the rest of the US, but I can't tell you the number of "soccer moms" that my wife and I are friends with that are looking for a 6+ seat fuel efficient option and simply cannot find one. The third row in the Toyota Highlander is a joke, and the Escalade and Tahoe hybrids gets horrible mileage. Just speaking for people I know here, there is definitely a market for a more fuel efficient upscale SUV/minivan. These people go to Whole Foods with their reusable shopping bags in these giant SUVs or minivans because they're lugging 3 or 4 kids around and don't have a choice in the market right now. I'm barely able to squeeze 3 kids into my Lexus 400h, and when it's my turn to carpool I have to take my wife's car (Mercedes R 500).I had the opportunity to speak with some high up personnel at the 2010 Toyota Prius reveal in Detroit. The issue is that the hybrid Estima sold in Japan sells for the equivalent of around $50k US dollars there. Clearly it would not sell well for that price here and they're unwilling to deal with the backlash of selling it more cheaply in the US than in Japan.
The 2009 HiHy is a bit better for that 3rd row. We have the '06 and on the occasions we need to use it my average size 9 year old boys enjoy sitting there. But it's hard to get in there, hard to get out, and I don't know that even they would want to sit there for a long trip. Plus, there's ZERO storage room once that seat is up.A bit off-topic, but I share copdoc's frustration. I realize that South Florida is not exactly like the rest of the US, but I can't tell you the number of "soccer moms" that my wife and I are friends with that are looking for a 6+ seat fuel efficient option and simply cannot find one. The third row in the Toyota Highlander is a joke, and the Escalade and Tahoe hybrids gets horrible mileage. Just speaking for people I know here, there is definitely a market for a more fuel efficient upscale SUV/minivan. These people go to Whole Foods with their reusable shopping bags in these giant SUVs or minivans because they're lugging 3 or 4 kids around and don't have a choice in the market right now. I'm barely able to squeeze 3 kids into my Lexus 400h, and when it's my turn to carpool I have to take my wife's car (Mercedes R 500).
Exactly. Which, bringing this back on topic, is why for me the extra 2 seats made the difference for me in putting down the deposit. I suspect Elon had the revelation when he saw how much space there was in the rear of "why not put two rear-facing seats in there so I can get all 5 of my kids into this car?" I still worry that for the overall car market, especially at a higher price point, it may push away as many buyers as it attracts. Having it as an option would be the best of both worlds, but I don't know if that's possible, and there was no indication that it was an optional item. There's no doubt that there is at least some segment of the market out there extremely anxious for a fuel efficient/EV car that can seat more than 4 or 5 people.The 2009 HiHy is a bit better for that 3rd row. We have the '06 and on the occasions we need to use it my average size 9 year old boys enjoy sitting there. But it's hard to get in there, hard to get out, and I don't know that even they would want to sit there for a long trip. Plus, there's ZERO storage room once that seat is up.