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Tesla Layoffs and Management Changes

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#84
#86
In what appears to be an attempt to counter the growing concern that the Model S is vaporware, hitting the Web today is a teaser showing a sneak peek of its Model S sedan
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This is a reasonable concern as the Whitestar design has been set to be released "in about 3 months" for a year now. I am sure some are beginning to wonder if last weeks delay of the project are more from problems of the design than from just the economic woes given.
 
#87
doug said:
TTAC took this to mean that Tesla is losing $40K per car. Someone needs help with reading comprehension.

Tesla Death Watch 28: “Lost” $40k per Roadster, Reveals WhiteElephant’s Rump | The Truth About Cars
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Especially since in that very same article it says they changed several of their suppliers which cut thousands of dollars off the production cost. I wouldn't be too sure they are making much money on each car, but I'm pretty sure we are talking at least $20 000 on the $119 price and probably upto $40k on each.

Cobos
 
#89
Future

For the time being I don't see that Tesla has problems. Elon is making good financial moves. They are producing cars and should be fine through the end of 2009. Somewhere out here is where the problems could get tough. We have to count on roadster sales holding up through next year, maintaining a good backlog. ESS sales should help, but we're all in the dark about that side of the business. A major battery update might help trigger a new surge of sales. I think it's worth a try.


At the start of 2010, without whitestar and roadster sales, Tesla could be struggling. Right now all is fine. Let's enjoy the ride.
 
#90
I'm in agreement with Bill. Currently they should be doing great. They've got a big backlog for Roadster production and they are earning money on each Roadster. The problem as he said is when the most eager and the richest persons already have theirs. The people for whom $120 000 is a big outlay for a car but doable might think twice about the Roadster in 2009. Either they really want it and got it in 2008-2009 season or they decide they can't afford it. So 2010 would be essential, they might not be able to sell all the Roadsters they then can make each year.
Or perhaps the fact you can see it, drive it and take it home the same day will close the sale for many people. I don't know, and I'm not very good at predicting the future I suppose :)

Cobos
 
#95
Yes, and of course TTAC picked up the Huffington post article:
Tesla Death Watch 31: HuffPost Pronounces T.O.D. | The Truth About Cars

But I am not sure I understand the logic behind the Huffington Post article:

That's why last week's news that the startup carmaker would lay off half its work force and delay the already delayed delivery of more than a thousand pre-ordered Roadsters was, at one level, depressing. Even as youthful Chairman Elon Musk slipped in to the CEO's chair, the flashiest name in electric vehicles was beginning to looks as if it was going under.

But even though the downfall of Tesla seems like a disaster for boosters of all-electric vehicles, it should be a welcome development for the green-transportation movement. Tesla symbolized a science-fiction view of our future: it seemed like an instant cure for the problems of oil consumption and greenhouse emissions. In reality, it was a well-marketed distraction from a strategy that would yield more immediate results.
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First off, "lay off half its work force" is quite overstated. delay delivery of the Roadster is incorrect (nice fact checking there...). But the logic for the rest of it seems to be: Tesla gave us too good an electric vehicle. Somehow the existence of a usable electric prevents us from *really* getting off oil.

Does anyone else understand this logic?
 
#98
The electric sports car specialists, whose core operation is based in the US, has been employing around 50 people at the Hethel facility in Norfolk. At least ten will be made redundant.
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I actually read this as good news. I thought things were going to be worse in England than this.

Does anyone know if actual Roadster assembly is done by Tesla employees or contracted to Lotus?
 
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