Came across this interesting video! Is this the way forward? We enthusiasts will miss the growl of the engine, but with such a performance do we really care?



And an older one...

Tesla Model 3 -Quality issue continues?

Tesla received ~ 14000 orders in Europe,




Source:

https://jalopnik.com/the-tesla-model...ury-1832229676

From the article,

Yesterday, as part of Tesla’s fourth quarter and 2018 full year update call, the automaker included a statement that claimed the 3 had not only outsold all other premium sedans, but all other premium vehicles:

With nearly 140,000 units sold, Model 3 was also the best-selling premium vehicle (including SUVs) in the US for 2018 – the first time in decades an American carmaker has been able to secure the top spot.

Of course, whenever any automaker makes sweeping, grandiose statements like that, it’s always worth investigating. Obviously, this isn’t an objective test, since the definition of “premium” can differ from person to person, but defining “premium” in this case isn’t too hard. All we had to do was check every vehicle that outsold the Model 3 and see if there are any premium luxury brands above it.

We pulled the numbers of the highest-selling cars of 2018 from the ever-useful GoodCarBadCar and compared them to the 140,317 Model 3s the site reported as sold. And it turns out that the Tesla Model 3 was actually the highest-selling American luxury car last year, SUV or otherwise.

For reference and convenience, here are the cars, trucks and SUVs that outsold the Model 3, from least to most:

Tesla Model 3: 140,317
Chevy Cruze: 142,618
Subaru Crosstrek: 144,384
Chevy Malibu: 144,542
Chevy Traverse: 146,264
Mazda CX-5: 150,622
Dodge Grand Caravan: 151,927
Hyundai Tucson: 153,792
Honda Pilot: 159,615
Jeep Compass: 171,167
Subaru Forester: 171,613
Ford Fusion: 173,600
Subaru Outback: 178,854
Hyundai Elantra: 200,415
Nissan Altima: 209,146
Nissan Sentra: 213,046
GMC Sierra: 224,554
Jeep Grand Cherokee: 224,908
Jeep Cherokee: 239,437
Jeep Wrangler: 240,032
Toyota Highlander: 244,511
Toyota Tacoma: 245,659
Ford Explorer: 261,571
Ford Escape: 272,228
Honda Accord: 291,071
Toyota Corolla: 303,732
Honda Civic: 325,760
Chevy Equinox: 332,621
Toyota Camry: 343,439
Honda CR-V: 379,021
Nissan Rogue: 412,110
Toyota Rav4: 427,168
Ram Pickup: 536,980
Chevy Silverado: 585,582
Ford F-Series: 909,330

Sure, there are plenty of American cars and trucks that outsold the Tesla—but none of them were from an American luxury brand. No Cadillacs. No Lincolns. This is further proof that we should probably start thinking of California-based Tesla as an American luxury brand.

Tesla pitches this all as a sign of success for the Model 3, and it is. But it’s also a real indictment of the state of legacy American luxury autos. If you’re curious, Cadillac only managed to push out about 11,000 CTS-es and ATSes each last year. Even the Escalade only managed about 36,000.

Tesla Model 3 No Longer Recommended By Consumer Reports.


Link

The Base model is here. Camry, and Accord's biggest nightmare of the US market is here.
https://electrek.co/2019/02/28/tesla...tery-interior/

Toyota, Honda, VW talk about EVs like the future. They are mistaken. It is the present, and it is catching them with their pants down Just today VW admitted that Tesla has a huge advantage in not needing to protect their legacy business. Finally, they are being honest about what has hit them

Does it not remind you of something else? Exactly when the iPhone was launched and people said Nokia is too big to fall.

Tesla is finally launching the long-promised standard Model 3 with a base price of $35,000 – fulfilling Elon Musk’s “secret masterplan” released back in 2006.

In order to reduce costs, Tesla to drop stores for online sales only.
The automaker is now making several new versions of the Model 3 available with a shorter range and new interior options.

Tesla says that deliveries are starting within the next 2 to 4 weeks depending on the configuration in the US.







Link

For me the bigger news is that Tesla is shifting to an online only model. It feels that this is the way to keep their business model financially viable and stable.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/28/1...only-car-sales

Is this the way for all car manufacturers?

I, for one, wouldnt mind buying a car online. I believe I get a fair idea of the car by watching videos and reading reviews of the car. All that I need is a test drive, and am pretty sure this can be integrated into an online buying experience.

Other manufacturers are locked into deals with the dealer mafia. Tesla is still unable to sell in 8 US states. Really depends on lawmakers allowing online sales.

I understand the fight with the dealerships may have caused this change, but is shutting down all display galleries akin to not advertising enough to people who have no idea about the vehicle? I know for a fact a lot of people are not up to date on the models available in Tesla and also who have never driven in one. How many people will buy a car without driving it even once?

Lastly how is the solar business doing? There is a factory in New York which is not at full capacity. May just be a money pit for the company if not put up to steam.

Maddy

Came across this video and it shows in the most apparent way why Tesla is so far ahead in the EV game. The Model X inspite of being larger, more performant and heavier is still almost 25% more efficient than a Jaguar I-Pace. Thats a huge difference to me especially considering the Tesla is almost a size bigger and heavier. I think the difference is down to a number of critical factors like battery tech and overall efficiency of the other systems of the car. Being the first of the block is a huge advantage and Tesla is showing that and how. More power to the Tesla, literally.

The video is in German but you can enable English captions

Time will tell if these unconventional tactics would work. After all it is not a conventional company. They create clout and build their cult by doing things differently, breaking rules and letting the lawyers hash it out.

That said, the dealer mafia has had their ways all these years. I can buy/sell a house online, why not a car? If I can return without questions, what do I care? They are legally not allowed to sell cars in those stores, so closing may make sense. Word of mouth from owners is a lot more trusted than what the sales guy has to say. I am always brutally honest when people ask me about the car in the parking lots. I think not having a store, creates curiosity, and ends up having prospective buyers talk to other owners. It can be a slippery slope, if Tesla ends up with a bunch of disgruntled owners.

Tesla launched V3 Supercharging for Model 3 .

The first station is available to some Tesla owners in an early access program and now we can see the new Tesla fast-charging station in action.





Overall, the Model 3 owner saw the charge time reduced by 20 minutes to charge from 8% to 90%





Link

1000mph is insane! With V2, I feel the heat in the cables after charging in 116degrees desert heat. V3 has liquid cooled cables, and needs another software update in the car. As you are pulling into the supercharger, based on your location the car will preheat its batteries for optimal charge times.