Martin Eberhard: Blogs built the Tesla Roadster
Martin Eberhard has obviously been busy these last few weeks. With a lawsuit currently pending in court against Tesla Motors and its CEO Elon Musk, Eberhard has apparently still had enough time to write an interesting article on the effects of blogging and how it helped build the Tesla Roadster. Specifically, Martin is referring to Tesla's official blog, the first post of which Eberhard wrote shortly after the Roadster's official launch back in the summer of 2006.
According to Eberhard, blogging promotes transparency and builds credibility, is the ultimate real-time focus group, supports team building and is the single most efficient tool for reaching mainstream media. Those points, along with the importance of a blogger having "a voice," make up the subheadings of Martin's article. It's an interesting read, and if you're so inclined, click here for the entire posting.
[Source: Tendo Communications]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jpm 8:51PM (6/13/2009)
blogs are the marketing department... engineers built the roadster
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Tohe 9:30PM (6/13/2009)
True, but they are intrically connected to the success of the product. Watch Loic's channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/loiclemeur he is responsible for twirl and interviews many of Silicon Valley start ups, he also gives advice on online communities and the impact it has on a given business, very interesting stuff.
jharlan 9:54PM (6/13/2009)
He is trying the case in the court of public opinion. This is not good publicity for Tesla. I suspect they are probably really planning an exit strategy through either being acquired or through an IPO. This puts enormous pressure on Tesla to settle even if the merits of the suit were to be found questionable. This attack has been very well planned. Tesla needs to get this settled, even if they have to admit they screwed up!
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gorr 9:02PM (6/13/2009)
The principal thing i do on blogs are buying bids. Only me in the entire world have voice it like that. I knew from long time ago that blogs will be the last invention to shape the world. Don't be surprised to see high financial folks trying with taxmoney and regulations and special terrorists laws to kill and hacks internet. That's why they exploded the ' world trade center '. Now customers leaded by me are following and waiting for my buying bids to appears. Contries, corporations, laws, special tasks, media, deseases, taxation, any business are at stake. High financial circles have steal each and everything after it's been invented, just look at gm and what have happened to the green car, it's a no show before it's been born and they try to hack internet with special employees But even with that customers are on my side and have put a hold on gasoline and diesel technologies sold by toyota and gm and as no start-up compagnies are showing then the economic crisis will continue and in 2 or 3 years we will live in a mad max II movie with hard cars and trucks on the roads. The only thing that can save the world is if someone put on-sale near where i live a green sport car used or new between 10 000$ to 15 000$, 200 to 300 h.p rear wheel drive. Don't bother me with all wheel drive or front wheel drive. The thing is like porsche, viper, ferrari, i said rear wheel drive. Nobody do sport for real with a front wheel drive.
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DasBoese 10:38PM (6/13/2009)
No, gorr, the principal thing you do on blogs is spam barely decipherable rants and hilarious conspiracy theories.
"Nobody do sport for real with a front wheel drive. "
The WTCC and various spec racing series would like to have a word with you...
duinne eile 9:22PM (6/13/2009)
Let the future tell the truth, and evaluate each according to his own accomplishments. The present is theirs, The future, for which I have already worked, is mine
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DasBoese 10:52PM (6/13/2009)
Well, the potential of corporate blogging and connecting with independent bloggers he outlines in his article is certainly true for niche manufacturers like Tesla who target a group of people interested in cutting-edge technology, in other words, rich geeks.
The notion that it surpasses traditional marketing techniques isn't necessarily true though. I think the benefit is only really significant to green startups like Tesla. For the established automakers it's a nice addition, but let's face it, a large percentage of their buyers doesn't even know what a blog is.
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