Opportunity Console - New Photos, Poll

[jerry33]

I haven't heard of anyone finalizing and choosing a console. Can we assume that cars being delivered have nothing more than the shelf under the screen?

That is my assumption.

 

[AnOutsider]

Well, I'd be OK with that, though I did like some of the options they proposed. I guess we'll see those once they catch their breath.

 

[MikeK]

This was posted over on the Tesla site today, quoting an email from GeorgeB, regarding Tesla's center console efforts.

I just reviewed options again this morning and gave comments. I really like the way this is going. It is modular and let's [sic] customers decide how much of the space they want to use and not use for additional pieces. I don't have a timeline for these yet, but will let everyone know as soon as we have finalized a direction.

Email to George Blankenship his response | Forums | Tesla Motors

 

[shokunin]

I really like GeorgeB and his responses. I only wish he were able to do a weekly Q&A blog post, cuz no one else is answering any questions and there are a lot of unanswered questions.

 

[contaygious]

Totally looking forward to cell phone dock, but want to keep the open space.

 

[ddruz]

Has anyone who has received their Model S gotten their car with the cubby shelf under the 17" screen installed? If you have gotten your car without it installed is it listed on your "due bill?"

Tesla promised that this little shelf would be standard equipment on all cars so it should be showing up. But so far it is conspicuous by its absence in reports of car recipients. I'm trying to understand what's going on.

 

[brianman]

Has anyone who has received their Model S gotten their car with the cubby shelf under the 17" screen installed? If you have gotten your car without it installed is it listed on your "due bill?"

Tesla promised that this little shelf would be standard equipment on all cars so it should be showing up. But so far it is conspicuous by its absence in reports of car recipients. I'm trying to understand what's going on.

Regarding the underlined...

In personal interactions (Tesla store and Get Amped) and forum posts, I've seen a consistent pattern where they don't offer it outright as a topic of interest but when someone asks "hey, this one doesn't have the shelf" the response has been a steady "full set of options still being developed, but the shelf will definitely be standard on all customer vehicles."

 

[AustinPowers]

This was posted over on the Tesla site today, quoting an email from GeorgeB, regarding Tesla's center console efforts.

Email to George Blankenship his response | Forums | Tesla Motors

There was an great post over in that particular thread, albeit a little OT in this one:

Captain_Zap | September 12, 2012
We made the mistake of renting an economy car in Germany. We had the pedal to the floor the entire time on the Autobahn and we were still being passed as if we were standing still.

One glance in the rear view mirror and there is a barely visible speck (not bacon, a car) on the horizon behind you. By the time you look forward again they were already flying past you in a blur. Surreal.

That is when we figured out the reason why there were no cupholders in our German cars at home.

That post (although very true) did make me LOL

 

[Soflauthor]

Regarding the underlined...

In personal interactions (Tesla store and Get Amped) and forum posts, I've seen a consistent pattern where they don't offer it outright as a topic of interest but when someone asks "hey, this one doesn't have the shelf" the response has been a steady "full set of options still being developed, but the shelf will definitely be standard on all customer vehicles."

I'll be getting my Model S in a few weeks (before Oct 12th) and when I asked about the cubbie, I was told by my "Delivery Experience Specialist" that it would likely NOT be delivered with my car (VIN #184). This creates a few problems for me personally, because I'm trying to finalize the center console insert (CCI) product I've been developing and will not be able to assess the cubbie until it arrives. I asked when we might get the cubbie and got the same "full set of options still being developed, but the shelf will definitely be standard on all customer vehicles" response. Frustration.

 

[ddruz]

I asked when we might get the cubbie and got the same "full set of options still being developed, but the shelf will definitely be standard on all customer vehicles" response. Frustration.

Could this be because some of the opportunity console options replace the cubbie with a more extensive storage arrangement or perhaps forgo it for an option with dual cup holders beneath? If so and you pass on one of these options they'd put in the standard cubbie, otherwise you'd get your paid for option. Do you think that could be going on? Doesn't make sense to me that they are shipping all these cars now without the cubbie if it's going to be standard. That's a lot of work to recall them all and install it.

 

[NigelM]

Doesn't make sense to me that they are shipping all these cars now without the cubbie if it's going to be standard. That's a lot of work to recall them all and install it.

True, a lot of work. But if the whole production line/delivery schedule was being held up waiting for the cubbie, do you think everyone would be sitting waiting patiently?

 

[slindell]

Doesn't make sense to me that they are shipping all these cars now without the cubbie if it's going to be standard. That's a lot of work to recall them all and install it.

Dude, Tesla needs income. Every Sig solds pays the annual salary for someone at the factory.

 

[Soflauthor]

Could this be because some of the opportunity console options replace the cubbie with a more extensive storage arrangement or perhaps forgo it for an option with dual cup holders beneath? If so and you pass on one of these options they'd put in the standard cubbie, otherwise you'd get your paid for option. Do you think that could be going on? Doesn't make sense to me that they are shipping all these cars now without the cubbie if it's going to be standard. That's a lot of work to recall them all and install it.

As you know, I've spent a lot of time thinking about the center channel area. Here's my guess (my opinion only, no inside knowledge):

TM has delayed release of the "standard cubbie" because they intend to provide a vertical storage option (VSO) that fits in the area under the display. The VSO moves from just under the display to the floor, possibly arcing toward the driver just a bit, but leaving the center channel area open for purses, bags, etc. The VSO will contain a small, cubbie-like space, a closed drawer for small stuff, and a pop-out close-to-the-floor cupholder. If you don't want the VSO, then the standard cubbie is installed for free.

If the VSO or something close to it is released in the near term, I think it represents a meaningful option. How does it impact the center console insert (CCI) that I'm working on? Hard to say, but we're doing the fabrication design assuming that the cubbie is standard and will be available at no cost to the owner.

The curious thing is that, as you note, TM is willing to absorb the cost of retrofit for those who opt for the cubbie only. I suspect that TM's strategy is to leave the space open (no storage whatsoever) so that owners opt for the VSO (at a cost). If the cubbie were installed upon delivery (as it should be, IMO), then many would be happy with it and not order the VSO.

Either the VSO will be so compelling that I'm toast, or it will represent one of a number of opportunity console solutions. Competiton is fun!

 

[ddruz]

I agree with you Soflauthor. The only thing that makes sense IMO is if one of their paid for options uses the "standard cubby shelf" space and if you opt out you get the standard cubby shelf installed for free.

 

[ElSupreme]

That's a lot of work to recall them all and install it.

Not with the mandatory 12,500mile / 1year services! :wink:

But in all honesty I bet they didn't have them in manufacturing in time. It seemed to be an afterthought a few months ago.

 

[ffylling]

Like the alfa-Model S! PLEASE!! But WHY have Tesla changed this style? I can not understand why they have chosed this old-style 60"s Caddilac sollution in this nice car. I want sportseats and a sourrounding console with armrests, cupholders, iPod-docking and storage-space.

Open floor?? I is Model S biggest hatch. If they want to enjoy the premiumclass as Audi, BMW and Mercedes, they have to change this design-trend.

 

[slindell]

Like the alfa-Model S! PLEASE!! But WHY have Tesla changed this style? I can not understand why they have chosed this old-style 60"s Caddilac sollution in this nice car. I want sportseats and a sourrounding console with armrests, cupholders, iPod-docking and storage-space.

Open floor?? I is Model S biggest hatch. If they want to enjoy the premiumclass as Audi, BMW and Mercedes, they have to change this design-trend.

I sure hope they do not change their interior. I hate the constriction of the "fighter-pilot" design.

 

[kevincwelch]

I sure hope they do not change their interior. I hate the constriction of the "fighter-pilot" design.

I like the openness as well. However, I think a small compromise by creating a usable center console would be nice.

 

[Soflauthor]

I like the openness as well. However, I think a small compromise by creating a usable center console would be nice.

A usable center console is coming, Kevin, hopefully, before the end of 4Q12. I'll be posting an update on progress on the CCI here in a few days -- early next week latest.

 

[Soflauthor]

Progress Report has been posted.

Since the center console insert (CCI) is an actual implementation of the opportunity console concept, you may have interest in the latest CCI progress report (with 3-D renderings). It can be found at the Soflauthor's Center Console Insert thread.