I would agree that TM has a lot riding on the success of the Model S. TM has its profitability, reputation and most of all the future of EVs riding on how well the automotive industry receives the Model S and the consumer.
If you read the comments section of the article you can see that we've got a long way to go before the general public understands these cars. All the usual anti-EV crap is there...
Exactly. I love the environmental argument against EVs (one of the comments) from people who don't care about the environment anyway. Tesla certainly does have a lot riding on the Model S but it's going to take a long time to reach people like that.
Don't kid yourself ... People like that probably get a salary from big oil!!! Or maybe they believe the lunar landing happened on a sound stage in Pasadena!
Some will never get it. They will always find a reason against. I wonder what they think of fracking?
They are fracking insane. (sorry, had to.:tongue Surely, by now, they know that the "long tailpipe" argument is a fallacy and doesn't hold water more than a strainer.
Tesla does have a great deal riding on the Model S launch: A bright future, or oblivion. The specs are good (300 mi, 4.4 sec, 10-90 kW charging, $50-100k). It will all ride on the Quality, Reliability, Durability of the first cars, and customer support. Followed by the marketing effort to bridge the early adopters chasm. It was the same for SpaceX's first Falcon9 launches. There is reason to believe that the Model S will be just as suscessful. GSP
Tesla may never advertise until they go full mainstream. Amazon, Google Facebook don't do traditional advertising much. WE are the ones that will make Tesla successful.
Best comment! Name withheldSMac211:12 AM on June 19, 2012 [FONT=verdana !important]I liked Tesla better when they were making records like "Mechanical Resonance." All this electric-car nonsense is just a distraction...let's get back to the rock and roll! [/FONT] I
Perhaps part of the front nose cone prior to assembly? I am guessing TESLA is on a bench or cart. Edit: Ha, posted the same time as roblab ^
"Tesla has a lot riding on Model S's success" No kidding. Any company has a lot riding on its primary product for the forseeable future...