AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[What $20 million means to both Tesla and Fisker]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/what-20-million-means-to-both-tesla-and-fisker/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/what-20-million-means-to-both-tesla-and-fisker/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/23/what-20-million-means-to-both-tesla-and-fisker/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



When is $20 million not equal to $20 million? When, for some, it's an interest payment and, for others, it's all someone else thinks they're worth. Here's how that one number means two totally different things to two different green car companies.

Speaking to Bloomberg Television about the early repayment of Tesla Motors' DOE loan, CEO Elon Musk said today that, "ultimately, the US taxpayer actually made a profit above $20 million on this loan. For this loan at least, people's tax bill actually went slightly down."

Musk said that, now that the loan has been paid back, more people might take a look at Tesla. "We were attacked a lot in certain quarters for having some government debt," he said. "I think that actually matters to some consumers out there, whether or not a company actually does have government debt, and being able to say we fully repaid that debt with interest, I think it is helpful to some number of people out there in thinking about buying a car." So, for Tesla, which recently raised over a billion dollars, $20 million is an easy price to pay to potentially sell more EVs.

Now, let's look at Fisker Automotive, which is still fending off bankruptcy. We learned this week that VL Automotive and Wanxiang made an offer to buy the troubled automaker for an undisclosed sum. Word out today is that the amount that the two companies are willing to pay for Fisker is, you guessed it, $20 million. That's about one percent of Fisker's $2 billion-plus value back when the Karma plug-in hybrid was launched, according to Reuters. It's unclear how a potential Fisker buyer will have to deal with the outstanding DOE loan amount of $171 million and other issues, but the $20-million offer a striking contrasts to Musk's statement on Bloomberg Television, which you can watch in the video below.

Continue reading What $20 million means to both Tesla and Fisker

What $20 million means to both Tesla and Fisker originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankruptcydoe loanelectric vehicleelon muskfiskerplug-in hybridteslatesla model sThu, 23 May 2013 19:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20582017/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20582017/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/23/what-20-million-means-to-both-tesla-and-fisker/20582017/article-detail.xml 20582017 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-model-s-fisker-karma-split-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-model-s-fisker-karma-split-2.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla pays back $465M DOE loan, Musk says 'I hope we did you proud']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/tesla-pays-back-465m-doe-loan-early/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/tesla-pays-back-465m-doe-loan-early/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/22/tesla-pays-back-465m-doe-loan-early/#commentsFiled under: , ,

elon musk with tesla model s

We're willing to bet there are bottles of champagne popping all the way from Washington, DC to Palo Alto, CA today with the announcement that Tesla Motors has, as suspected, paid off the entirety of its $465-million Department of Energy loan.

"I hope we did you proud" - Elon Musk

As far back as July 2012, Tesla began talking about paying the US government back early, but it was apparently the tremendous rise in the company's stock value recently that prompted CEO Elon Musk to push for the immediate repayment this week. From a price of $33.87 on January 1, TSLA has climbed to $87.24 today (down a bit from the recent highs of over $92). Last week, Tesla sold enough stock to raise over a billion dollars to repay the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) loan, with interest. This makes Tesla the first automaker to pay the DOE back, and it did so nine years ahead of schedule. In a prepared statement, Tesla CEO Elon Musk thanked the DOE and Congress and "particularly the American taxpayer from whom these funds originate. I hope we did you proud."

The DOE is certainly proud, issuing a release that said the repayment "shows the strength of energy department's overall loan portfolio." The DOE has come under fire recently for the loan it gave to Fisker Automotive. Two other ATVM recipients, Nissan and Ford, have not yet paid all theit money back, but there are no apparent worries there, either. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a statement that, "not every investment will succeed" but that the DOE's overall $34-million loan portfolio of more than 30 loans "is delivering big results for the American economy while costing far less than anticipated." Details in the press releases below.

Continue reading Tesla pays back $465M DOE loan, Musk says 'I hope we did you proud'

Tesla pays back $465M DOE loan, Musk says 'I hope we did you proud' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 22 May 2013 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atvmdoedoe loanelectric vehicleelon muskteslatesla model stslaWed, 22 May 2013 17:43:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20580358/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20580358/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/22/tesla-pays-back-465m-doe-loan-early/20580358/article-detail.xml 20580358 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/elon-musk-tesla-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/elon-musk-tesla-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla raises $1 billion as stock climbs; predictions have it at $200 (or $37) *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/tesla-raises-one-billion-stock-could-reach-200/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/tesla-raises-one-billion-stock-could-reach-200/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/21/tesla-raises-one-billion-stock-could-reach-200/#commentsFiled under: ,

tesla model s logo

Despite the company's recent string of successes, there's still a lot of skepticism about Tesla out there. Some of the negativity focuses on the lack of recharging infrastructure, some on the company's expensive cars and how it'll be difficult to make a mass-market car. And when it comes to the company's stock price - TSLA is currently at around $90 - the predictions are all over the map. Some say it's still worth shorting (that is, predicting it will drop). Some say it could reach $200 before too long; others warn it will fall to somewhere in the $20-$40 range.

"There is a fundamental view of a scenario where Tesla becomes the next GM or Ford."

Still, the big news - that is, something that's actually happened, not just bloviations about the future - is that Tesla raised more than a billion dollars in cash last week by increasing the amount of debt and equity it was offering. Instead of selling a total 2.7 million common shares, CEO Elon Musk put up 3.39 million, and bought $100 million himself. This showed confidence, which was admittedly already there, and Tesla raised far more than the $830 million originally expected. The money will be used, in part, to pay back the US government for the $465-million Department of Energy loan.

The good news prompted an unnamed banker to tell IFR what it looks like on the other side of the skepticism spectrum: "[CEO Elon] Musk has a vision of creating a $50 billion-plus company in five years," adding, "There is a fundamental view of a scenario where Tesla becomes the next GM or Ford."

*UPDATE: Musk just Tweeted that Tesla will likely pay back the DOE loan Wednesday.

Tesla raises $1 billion as stock climbs; predictions have it at $200 (or $37) *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 21 May 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doe loanelectric vehicleelon muskteslatesla model stesla stocktslaTue, 21 May 2013 08:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576793/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576793/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/21/tesla-raises-one-billion-stock-could-reach-200/20576793/article-detail.xml 20576793 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-logo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-logo-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi says 'not so fast,' Tesla lovers, attacks Model S success story *UPDATE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/audi-starts-tesla-rivalry-attacks-models-success/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/audi-starts-tesla-rivalry-attacks-models-success/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/audi-starts-tesla-rivalry-attacks-models-success/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi A8 / Tesla Model S

The automotive industry is full of rivalries, from Ferrari versus Lamborghini to Ford's recent war on the Toyota Prius. Audi must be feeling the electric heat of Tesla's recent success, because the German automaker has put out a press release with one single message: Hey, let's not love on Tesla too much, mmmkay?

Audi's press release is titled, "Not so fast to put Tesla on that particular pedestal" and it's full of Audi making sure we all know that "some reports are giving Tesla too much credit." What's extra funny is that Audi compares its April US sales (13,157 units) to Tesla's 4,750 Model S sales, mistakenly claiming they, too, were from April. But Tesla doesn't report monthly sales, and the 4,750 number is for the total deliveries for the first quarter of 2013. That fact makes Audi look even better by comparison but even worse for making a stink about the whole thing. You can read the whole thing below.

While Audi's points are accurate, we see this headed into the realm political consultants talk about where if you need to clarify the details, you've already lost. And whatever the mood inside Audi HQ is, the reality is that Tesla has figured out how to sell a good number of luxury electric vehicles, while Audi is still just teasing.

One final bit of rival hilarity that takes on a new light today: Iron Man Tony Stark might sometimes drive an R8, but he is, in fact, based on Tesla CEO Elon Musk (in the movies, anyway).

*UPDATE: Looks like Audi has pulled the press release off its site. Interesting.

Continue reading Audi says 'not so fast,' Tesla lovers, attacks Model S success story *UPDATE

Audi says 'not so fast,' Tesla lovers, attacks Model S success story *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 20 May 2013 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi a8electric vehicleev salesrivalryteslatesla model sMon, 20 May 2013 17:44:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576518/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576518/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/audi-starts-tesla-rivalry-attacks-models-success/20576518/article-detail.xml 20576518 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-audi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-audi.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla selling new stock, debt worth $830m in order to pay off DOE loan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/tesla-selling-new-stock-debt-worth-830m-to-pay-off-doe-loan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/tesla-selling-new-stock-debt-worth-830m-to-pay-off-doe-loan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/tesla-selling-new-stock-debt-worth-830m-to-pay-off-doe-loan/#commentsFiled under: ,



Anyone paying attention to the electric vehicle scene for the last few weeks knows that the stock value of Tesla Motors has been climbing faster than a SpaceX rocket. As of this writing, TSLA is sitting pretty at $92 a share. Three weeks ago, it was at a then-record-high of $53.

In light of all the commotion, Tesla is going to make some money and pay back the government. The company announced yesterday it will sell 2.7 million shares (with a value of $229 million given the closing price of $84.84 yesterday) and $450 million in convertible senior notes. All told, Tesla will sell up to $830 million in shares and debt and use the money to pay back its $465-million Department of Energy loan. The DOE has agreed to let Tesla modify the terms of its loan and repay the money early., but the exact timeline of the repayment was not specified. As Tesla CEO Elon Musk put it to Bloomberg earlier this month, "Of all the car companies that got government funding, we got the least, and we're going to pay it off first. That's not bad." Musk will also buy $100 million worth of shares, $45 million in common stock and $55 million to be be "purchased directly from Tesla in a subsequent private placement."

The DOE handed out four loans through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program: along with Tesla, Ford got $5.9 billion, Nissan got $1.6 billion and Fisker got $529 million. Tesla's press release is available below.

Continue reading Tesla selling new stock, debt worth $830m in order to pay off DOE loan

Tesla selling new stock, debt worth $830m in order to pay off DOE loan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 16 May 2013 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atvmpdoe loanelectric vehicleteslatesla model stesla stocktslaThu, 16 May 2013 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572154/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572154/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/tesla-selling-new-stock-debt-worth-830m-to-pay-off-doe-loan/20572154/article-detail.xml 20572154 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo.jpg <![CDATA[North Carolina targets Tesla, considers banning direct-to-consumer sales]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/north-carolina-targets-tesla-banning-direct-to-consumer-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/north-carolina-targets-tesla-banning-direct-to-consumer-sales/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/north-carolina-targets-tesla-banning-direct-to-consumer-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tesla Model S at sunset

North Carolina is the latest state to line up against Tesla Motors by proposing a bill that would bar direct automaker-to-customer sales within the state, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. Still, Tesla says plans to open a showroom there and has sold about 80 cars to North Carolina residents, with reservations for about 60 more.

According to Slate, a bill pushed by the state's Senate Commerce Committee - and backed, of course, by the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (NCADA) - would not only prevent Tesla from opening a showroom in North Carolina, it would go as far as banning Internet vehicle sales in the Tar Heel state. We're not sure how that would be enforced, but it would certainly crimp the success Tesla has had without using the traditional industry dealer distribution model. The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Tom Apodaca (R), who claims the goal is to stop unfair competition between manufacturers and dealers (as Slate notes, Apodaca also received $8,000 from the NCADA last year, the most allowed by law). Tesla's vice president for corporate and business development, Diarmuid O'Connell, argues that the bill is "a protectionist move to lock down the market so we have to go through the middleman - the dealer - to sell our cars."

Texas, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York are among states that have so far taken issue with Tesla's dealer-free distribution model, prompting Musk to say last month that he'd consider going to Congress to try and get factory-to-customer sales legalized throughout the country. Musk is likely emboldened by the fact that Tesla earned its first quarterly profit this year and sold more of its Model S electric vehicles than General Motors and Nissan did of their Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in and Leaf EV, respectively.

North Carolina targets Tesla, considers banning direct-to-consumer sales originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 15 May 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car dealersdealerselectric vehicleelon muskncnorth carolinateslatesla motorstesla storetom apodacaWed, 15 May 2013 13:29:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20568421/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20568421/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/north-carolina-targets-tesla-banning-direct-to-consumer-sales/20568421/article-detail.xml 20568421 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/teslamodels-1368580419_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/teslamodels-1368580419.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Model S battery swap announcement coming soon?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/tesla-model-s-battery-swap-announcement-coming-soon/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/tesla-model-s-battery-swap-announcement-coming-soon/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/tesla-model-s-battery-swap-announcement-coming-soon/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Sure, your first response to the idea of Tesla introducing a battery swap system might be, "what, this again?" After all, we heard in 2009 that the Model S was built with battery swaps in mind and, in 2011, Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained the Model S battery swap idea this way: "When people take an occasional two-way long distance trip, they'll get a replacement pack and then pick up their original one on the way back. The issue of giving up your one-year old pack for a three-year old one goes away." The Supercharger network, too, was at one point supposed to feature battery swapping robots that could get the job done in as little as one minute.

But the Supercharger stations - as they exist today - don't have that feature. And Musk has recently been much more excited about the benefits of quick charging than battery swaps. Which is why we forgive any ongoing skepticism that Tesla will introduce batter swaps to the Model S.

Except that the other day, Musk Tweeted, "There is a way for the Tesla Model S to be recharged throughout the country faster than you could fill a gas tank." And our friends at Green Car Reports noticed this line from Tesla's latest quarterly report (PDF):

Other factors that may influence the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles, and specifically electric vehicles, include ... our capability to rapidly swap out the Model S battery pack and the development of specialized public facilities to perform such swapping, which do not currently exist but which we plan to introduce in the near future.


So, yeah. Now what? We asked Tesla directly, and Sarah Meron, VP of communications for Tesla Motors, told AutoblogGreen, "We don't have any comment on battery swapping right now or timing of further announcements. But we'll let you know when we do!"

Tesla has already announced replacement costs for its battery packs ($10,000 for the 60-kWh and $12,000 for the 85-kWh pack), but that's if you need an entirely new pack and you purchased the warranty. This is something else entirely. Is Tesla going to make actual battery swaps available soon?

Tesla Model S battery swap announcement coming soon? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 14 May 2013 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery swappingelectric vehicleelon muskswapteslatesla model sTue, 14 May 2013 16:27:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20568189/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20568189/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/tesla-model-s-battery-swap-announcement-coming-soon/20568189/article-detail.xml 20568189 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/model-s-signature-red-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/model-s-signature-red-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla stock breaks $83; CEO Elon Musk steps way from Facebook founder's immigration group]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/tesla-stock-breaks-83-ceo-elon-musk-steps-way-from-fwd-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/tesla-stock-breaks-83-ceo-elon-musk-steps-way-from-fwd-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/tesla-stock-breaks-83-ceo-elon-musk-steps-way-from-fwd-us/#commentsFiled under: ,

tesla model s driving

As A. Whitney Brown once said, "There's really no use in beating a dead horse. I mean, except for the pure joy of it." Well, if Tesla's recent string of successes is said horse, then we hope you enjoy the rest of this post.

Let's start with politics, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk's step back from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's new immigration reform political action group, Fwd.us. Musk is one of the big names that is taking his name off the supporter list because Fwd.us gave money for ads that supported US senators who also supported the Keystone XL pipeline and Alaskan oil drilling.

Then we have Tesla stock, TSLA, which has more than doubled so far this year. It was news when it crossed the $50 mark a few weeks ago but right now it's sitting at $83.75, up almost $7 from Friday. The reason for the rapid rise is clear to anyone who's paying attention, as you can see in the interactive widget below, but there is a trading history here that involves a lot of people betting against Tesla. There's a good rundown on the history of TSLA stock shorting here, and it includes these words of warning: there are a number of factors that "could drive the stock down in time. Probably will, say some analysts" and "If you own Tesla stock, enjoy the ride." We recommend the same if you own an actual Tesla.

Continue reading Tesla stock breaks $83; CEO Elon Musk steps way from Facebook founder's immigration group

Tesla stock breaks $83; CEO Elon Musk steps way from Facebook founder's immigration group originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 May 2013 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskkeystoneteslatesla model stslaMon, 13 May 2013 12:22:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20566783/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20566783/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/tesla-stock-breaks-83-ceo-elon-musk-steps-way-from-fwd-us/20566783/article-detail.xml 20566783 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-s-driving_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-s-driving.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla posts first quarterly profit; Model S becomes best-selling plug-in car in US (probably)]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-posts-first-quarterly-profit-model-s-best-selling-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-posts-first-quarterly-profit-model-s-best-selling-ev/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-posts-first-quarterly-profit-model-s-best-selling-ev/#commentsFiled under: ,



Julie Christie, the rumors are true. After plenty of hint-dropping over the past few months, Tesla officially released 2013 first quarter (Q1) financial details today, and it was the first quarter in which the ten-year-old company was actually profitable. CEO Elon Musk, speaking on a conference call to investors today, made it clear that the numbers are good, but behind-the-scenes factors make them even better.

Take, for example, Tesla's capital expenditures. The automaker was profitable in Q1 despite spending a lot of money on things like new stores and Supercharger stations, things that won't require as much money moving forward. Tesla says it plans to spend about $200 million on capital expenditures in 2013. Or how about the Tesla's gross margin, which grew from eight percent to 17 percent from Q4 2012 to Q1 2013. That's the average for the whole quarter, Musk said, and "the gross margin at the end of Q1 was much better than at the beginning."

The call wasn't all about money-rolling-in news. We knew Tesla would make money selling zero emission vehicle (ZEV) credits to other automakers, and it did, to the tune of approximately $68 million (12 percent of revenues). Musk said Tesla expects ZEV credit revenue to decline throughout the year, going to zero in Q4. The shareholder letter reads, "We expect this to decline significantly in future quarters, as ZEV credits will only apply to about 1/6 of worldwide deliveries, versus roughly half of US deliveries, and the price per credit has declined." Some estimates put Tesla's annual ZEV credit income at $250 million.

More numbers and tidbits from the announcement can be seen below.

Continue reading Tesla posts first quarterly profit; Model S becomes best-selling plug-in car in US (probably)

Tesla posts first quarterly profit; Model S becomes best-selling plug-in car in US (probably) originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 May 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskprofitteslatesla model stslazev creditsWed, 08 May 2013 19:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562822/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562822/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/tesla-posts-first-quarterly-profit-model-s-best-selling-ev/20562822/article-detail.xml 20562822 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla Model S Coupe rendered, looks like a winner [w/poll]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-model-s-coupe-rendered-looks-like-a-winner/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-model-s-coupe-rendered-looks-like-a-winner/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/tesla-model-s-coupe-rendered-looks-like-a-winner/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tesla Model S Coupe

Our friend Theophilus Chin has a thing for creating Tesla vehicles that we can't have. Earlier this year, he made a digital Model ST wagon appear and he's now back with a sleek Tesla Model S Coupe. The rendered results, which you can see in the gallery, are an elegant, smaller take on the nearly universally praised Model S design from Franz von Holzhausen. Chin writes, "There's a huge market for an electric 2+2 GT. And I feel Tesla has the right product for that niche."

As he did with the ST, the front end is left intact, with all of the changes happening in the rear. At its core, this is just a Model S with the second set of doors removed and Chin has so smoothly meshed the lines so that you almost don't notice anything's missing at first glance. We can only speculate what the smaller size would mean for reduced battery pack capacity, and if the new style would make up for the expected range loss. Which leads us to this important question: does the Model S coupe still have a frunk? Also, does the car appeal to you?


View Poll

Tesla Model S Coupe rendered, looks like a winner [w/poll] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 May 2013 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclefranz von holzhausenrenderingteslatesla model stesla model s coupetesla model sctheophilus chinWed, 08 May 2013 11:28:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562094/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20562094/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/tesla-model-s-coupe-rendered-looks-like-a-winner/20562094/article-detail.xml 20562094 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-model-s-coupe-render-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-model-s-coupe-render-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla CEO Elon Musk likes autonomous driving cars, but prefers term 'autopilot']]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-ceo-elon-muck-like-autonomous-driving-cars-but-prefers-te/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-ceo-elon-muck-like-autonomous-driving-cars-but-prefers-te/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/tesla-ceo-elon-muck-like-autonomous-driving-cars-but-prefers-te/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tesla model s

Looks like Tesla might be hiding more in its software than blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control. According to Bloomberg, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is "discussing" autonomous cars with Google, specifically the Lidar laser tracking system. Oh, and if you're going to have a self-driving future Tesla vehicle, then you shouldn't call it autonomous. Instead, Musk prefers the term autopilot. As he told Bloomberg, "Self-driving sounds like it's going to do something you don't want it to do. Autopilot is a good thing to have in planes, and we should have it in cars."

Any Tesla robot chauffeur is a ways away - Musk Tweeted it is "still a few years from production," but Google has been working hard on driverless cars (with green cred, too, since the test mules are mostly Toyota Prius hybrids). In fact, the search company says the technology could be ready for prime time in as little as three to five years - though safety regulations and other logistical questions will likely push that back, perhaps a decade. The government's work on self-driving vehicles is mostly the purview of DARPA and its Urban Challenge and Grand Challenge test courses.

Musk says - surprise - that Tesla's system is better than what's come before, telling Bloomberg, "The problem with Google's current approach is that the sensor system is too expensive. Its better to have an optical system, basically cameras with software that is able to figure out what's going on just by looking at things." He did try to quell excitement about the idea of a driverless Telsa by Tweeting, "Am a fan of Larry, Sergey & Google in general, but self-driving cars comments to Bloomberg were just off-the-cuff. No big announcement here."

Continue reading Tesla CEO Elon Musk likes autonomous driving cars, but prefers term 'autopilot'

Tesla CEO Elon Musk likes autonomous driving cars, but prefers term 'autopilot' originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 May 2013 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousautopilotco-pilotdarpadriverlesselectric vehicleelon muskgoogleteslatesla model sTue, 07 May 2013 14:17:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20560841/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20560841/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/07/tesla-ceo-elon-muck-like-autonomous-driving-cars-but-prefers-te/20560841/article-detail.xml 20560841 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla adds $6,500 'Performance Plus' option to Model S; adds range, improves handling]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/05/tesla-adds-6-500-performance-plus-option-to-model-s-adds-ran/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/05/tesla-adds-6-500-performance-plus-option-to-model-s-adds-ran/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/05/tesla-adds-6-500-performance-plus-option-to-model-s-adds-ran/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tesla Model S

Tesla Motors is adding a special performance package for its all-electric Model S that not only will add miles of single-charge range, but will make sure those miles aren't driven sideways.

The automaker is charging $6,500 for its new "Performance Plus" option, which includes wider rear tires, upgraded stabilizer bars and bushings, among other goodies. Tesla says it took "hundreds of iterations affecting every detail of the suspension," but "our vehicle dynamics team was able to achieve the rare outcome of simultaneously improving performance, comfort and efficiency." The new rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires are 20 mm wider than previous tires and are "staggered for improved acceleration on low grip surfaces." Folks will also be able to get between six and 12 miles of range from those new tires.

Tesla continues to move its already up-market car into the proverbial stratosphere, and for good reason. The company, which beat its first-quarter sales targets, discontinued its cheapest variant of the Model S because of lack of demand even as it has improved the financing options for the EV.

Tesla adds $6,500 'Performance Plus' option to Model S; adds range, improves handling originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 05 May 2013 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5006model spackageperformance plusrangeteslatiresSun, 05 May 2013 15:40:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20557574/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20557574/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/05/tesla-adds-6-500-performance-plus-option-to-model-s-adds-ran/20557574/article-detail.xml 20557574 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/teslamodels_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/teslamodels.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla lowers Model S financing costs, guarantees highest resale value of any luxury sedan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/tesla-lowers-model-s-financing-costs-guarantees-highest-resale/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/tesla-lowers-model-s-financing-costs-guarantees-highest-resale/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/tesla-lowers-model-s-financing-costs-guarantees-highest-resale/#commentsFiled under: ,

tesla model s

"We decided we were wrong and other people were right and we decided to fix it."

A month ago, Tesla Motors announced what it called a "revolutionary" financing option, and waved some magic pixie dust around to come up with a monthly cost of like $500. Today, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a bunch of changes to the financing options and to Tesla's online calculator to be more realistic and better represent people's real-world costs. Despite an early reshuffling of the numbers, Tesla got a lot of negative feedback regarding the pixie dust and today, Musk said, "We decided we were wrong and other people were right and we decided to fix it."

Here are some of the changes:
  • Most importantly, Tesla has raised the guaranteed resale value to be the highest of any luxury sedan made in volume. That means that a "leased" Model S will be worth more than the average resale value of all Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus or Jaguar vehicles in the same price range (based on ALG resale value numbers).
  • In the online calculator, where Tesla talks about the "true cost of ownership," many defaults have been changed. The "time saved" option is now turned off, the expected gas price has been lowered, the MPG of the gas car has been raised. In short, the defaults are more conservative, but anyone can still enter any values that apply to them.
Tesla financing partners are now also offering longer-term loans (72 months instead of 63) that will "reduce the monthly payment considerably," Tesla says. Tesla's new numbers, featuring less pixie dust, are "a monthly rate of $580 taking only gasoline savings into account" and, if you buy the car for business and we assume that 70 percent of the miles are for business use, the "effective monthly cost" is just $315. Musk said he believes that financing (or leasing, as most of us call it) is the right way to buy an electric car because, "it really highlights the savings you get form gasoline every month."

Musk said that so far, around 20-25 percent of the Model S vehicles sold since the financing options were announced have been financed, and that he expects this number to jump to 60 percent or more in the future. Early birds who jumped at the chance in April don't need to fret, since the improvements to the financial offering will be retroactive to anyone who already took advantage of the Tesla financing.

As before, the value guarantee is backed by Musk's personal money and he remains as confident as ever that his company is on the right track. "If we really believe we are making the best car, it should have the best resale value," he said.

Continue reading Tesla lowers Model S financing costs, guarantees highest resale value of any luxury sedan

Tesla lowers Model S financing costs, guarantees highest resale value of any luxury sedan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 May 2013 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskleaseresale valueteslatesla model sFri, 03 May 2013 14:20:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20557644/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20557644/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/03/tesla-lowers-model-s-financing-costs-guarantees-highest-resale/20557644/article-detail.xml 20557644 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2012-tesla-model-s-628.jpg <![CDATA[​Tesla's Musk will give keynote at inaugural Teslive conference in July]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/teslas-musk-will-give-keynote-at-inaugural-teslive-conference/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/teslas-musk-will-give-keynote-at-inaugural-teslive-conference/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/teslas-musk-will-give-keynote-at-inaugural-teslive-conference/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tesla's Elon Musk

Were you expecting Bob Lutz?

The first-ever Teslive conference for Tesla Motors enthusiasts will be getting a big of company star power when company chief Elon Musk comes to participate as its keynote speaker. The San Jose Mercury News says Musk will headline a two-date event starting July 12 that will take place about 10 miles down the road from Tesla's Fremont, CA, factory at the Crowne Plaza San Jose-Silicon Valley.

The convention, put on by the 6,000-member Tesla Motors Club (TMC), will charge $200 a head for attendees, who will have the chance to attend a party sponsored by the electric vehicle maker at its nearby plant. Last month, Musk was named by Time magazine as one of the world's most influential people.

​Tesla's Musk will give keynote at inaugural Teslive conference in July originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 02 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elon muskkeynotemuskteslatesliveThu, 02 May 2013 18:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20554946/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20554946/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/teslas-musk-will-give-keynote-at-inaugural-teslive-conference/20554946/article-detail.xml 20554946 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/musk_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/musk.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla stock still climbing, despite federal subpoena asking about executive share trading]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/tesla-stock-still-climbing-despite-federal-supboena-asking-abou/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/tesla-stock-still-climbing-despite-federal-supboena-asking-abou/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/tesla-stock-still-climbing-despite-federal-supboena-asking-abou/#commentsFiled under: , ,

tesla motors logo

In recent days, Tesla Motors stock (TSLA) has been climbing and climbing, hitting a high of $58.18 earlier today before closing at a respectable $53.99. The rise comes amid a string of headline-making events - higher-than-expected sales, franchise dealer fights and a new warranty program, to name just three - but under all of the good news lies a potential problem. The Wall Street Journal revealed today that Tesla was served subpoenas from US federal prosecutors over details on the company's trading plan for executives. There has been no hint of wrongdoing, the feds just want information, Reuters reports. A similar subpoena was sent to Cardiovascular Systems, which makes medical implements.

The question is how the executives can trade their shares. Reuters reports that it is fine by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules for executives to use something called a 10b5-1 plan to trade their own stock, "even when they have access to private information." The subpoena does not seem to have anything to do with questions over whether Tesla CEO Elon Musk's recent "overzealous" Tweet was in any way illegal.

This week, analysts at Longboard Asset Management said they believe Tesla common stock will hit $100 in the next 18 months on the way to $200 per share within five years. In any case, we'll have more information ammunition for the debate when Tesla releases first quarter results May 8th.

Tesla stock still climbing, despite federal subpoena asking about executive share trading originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclesecsecurity and exchange commissionstock tradingsubpoenateslatesla model stslaTue, 30 Apr 2013 18:27:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553578/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20553578/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/tesla-stock-still-climbing-despite-federal-supboena-asking-abou/20553578/article-detail.xml 20553578 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-s-logo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-model-s-logo-628.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla announces 'World's Best Service and Warranty Program,' hints at future 500-mile battery]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/tesla-worlds-best-service-warranty-program-500-mile-battery/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/tesla-worlds-best-service-warranty-program-500-mile-battery/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/26/tesla-worlds-best-service-warranty-program-500-mile-battery/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Tesla Motors has just revealed the latest edition of it 5-part announcement trilogy. Whereas the previous first installment had to do with the company's new leasing program, this episode is all about service and warranty, comes gift-wrapped in the glittery descriptor of "World's Best," and is accompanied by hints of a future battery upgrade.

The new plan improves on the California automaker's service program by adding a valet service that brings you a top-spec Model S Performance - or a Tesla Roadster, if you prefer - to temporarily replace your personal vehicle while it's being serviced. CEO Elon Musk states that this fleet of Model S service vehicles, which will initially number about 100, will ideally be less than three months old and also be available for immediate sale. Like your loaner more than your own car? You can keep it, paying "a price that is lower by 1% per month of age and $1 per mile" for your new ride and taking, likely, a similar hit on your trade-in.

Musk hinted that a 500-mile battery would not be an unreasonable thing to expect in four or five years.

Not only should the purchase scheme keep the loaner fleet nice and fresh, it may also create a cache of certified pre-owned inventory for buyers who are looking for a deal on a Tesla that starts at $69,900 from the factory, or who would rather not wait a couple months for a new, made-to-order car.

As well as no-travel hassle, Tesla has also made its $600 annual service optional without effecting the standard 5-year/50,000-mile warranty. The company has also made the battery portion of the warranty unconditional, meaning that, if you manage to somehow turn it into a useless brick (something that should be quite difficult to accomplish with the Model S), you will get a replacement unit of equal capacity free of charge.

Speaking of battery capacity, during the media call, Mr. Musk also offered some hope for those anxious for packs that hold more energy than the current EPA-estimated 265-mile/85 kilowatt-hour packs now available. In response to a question about upcoming technology improvements, he hinted that a 500-mile battery would not be an unreasonable thing to expect in four or five years. He then added that, eventually, Tesla would likely offer owners the opportunity to upgrade their vehicles with longer-range capabilities.

It all sounds pretty good to us, and we can't help but think if this upstart company keeps it up, surpassing sales of the Chevy Volt might seem a minor accomplishment. For more details on this newest warranty arrangement, you can get more details in a blog post on the Tesla website.

Tesla announces 'World's Best Service and Warranty Program,' hints at future 500-mile battery originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500-mile batteryelon muskteslatesla model svalet servicewarrantyFri, 26 Apr 2013 19:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20550097/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20550097/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/26/tesla-worlds-best-service-warranty-program-500-mile-battery/20550097/article-detail.xml 20550097 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/19-2012-tesla-model-s-fd-1347336782-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/19-2012-tesla-model-s-fd-1347336782-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla stock reaches record high, brushes $53]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/tesla-stock-reaches-record-high-brushes-53/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/tesla-stock-reaches-record-high-brushes-53/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/tesla-stock-reaches-record-high-brushes-53/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tesla Motors logo on Model S

Tesla Motors shares hit a record high Tuesday morning, reaching almost $53 a share in NASDAQ trading before leveling off slightly to about $51 as of late this afternoon Eastern time. Tesla touched $52.92 shortly after the markets opened on Tuesday. Shares for the company, which went public at $17 a share in June 2010, have jumped more than 50 percent during the past year.

The California-based maker of the all-electric Model S said earlier this month that Q1 was its first ever quarter in the black, noting that it beat sales targets. That news followed up Tesla chief Elon Musk's proclamation that it would pay back its US Department Energy loan in roughly half of the ten-year timeframe previously set. Musk has been vocal and optimistic about his company's future, which lead to an excited Tweet about an upcoming announcement, a Tweet that might get him in trouble with the SEC.

Musk isn't the only one who sees good things in Tesla's future. Last week, Time Magazine named Musk one of the 100 most influential people in the world. On Monday, Seeking Alpha went as far as to say Tesla shares could hit $144 in the "near mid term," especially as short sellers who expected the stock to fall are forced to cover their losses. Motley Fool took a more measured approach, saying that factors such as Tesla's cash position, its ability to sell cars to those other than early adopters and the prospect of increased EV competition from larger automakers will determine whether the stock surge is justified.

Tesla stock reaches record high, brushes $53 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon musknasdaqsharesstockteslatesla sharestesla stocktslaTue, 23 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20547693/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20547693/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/23/tesla-stock-reaches-record-high-brushes-53/20547693/article-detail.xml 20547693 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/teslalogo.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla's Elon Musk named one of Time's 100 most influential people]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/19/teslas-elon-musk-times-100-most-influential-people-2013/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/19/teslas-elon-musk-times-100-most-influential-people-2013/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/19/teslas-elon-musk-times-100-most-influential-people-2013/#commentsFiled under: ,

Elon Musk

Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin may have called Elon Musk's company a "loser" earlier this month, but Time magazine - not to mention Virgin Group chief Richard Branson - begs to differ.

Musk, the Tesla Motors chief, made Time's list of the world's 100 most influential people, and it is Branson, who also founded the Virgin Galactic space-exploration company, is feting Musk for his leadership of SpaceX. "His Tesla Motors and SolarCity companies are making a clean, renewable-energy future a reality," Branson writes in Time. "It's a paradox that Elon is working to improve our planet at the same time he's building spacecraft to help us leave it."

Earlier this month, Tesla said it just completed its first-ever profitable quarter. And in February, Musk said his company would pay back its $465 million loan from the US Department of Energy in five years, or half the time previously projected. Check out Branson's write up here.

Tesla's Elon Musk named one of Time's 100 most influential people originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskrichard bransonspacespacexteslatimevirgin galacticvirgin groupFri, 19 Apr 2013 19:43:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20545417/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20545417/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/19/teslas-elon-musk-times-100-most-influential-people-2013/20545417/article-detail.xml 20545417 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/musk_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/musk.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla questions if Chevy is first OEM building electric vehicle motors in US?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Astute readers and Tesla Motors took issue with a line from a General Motors press release yesterday that claimed the start of electric motor production for the Chevy Spark EV made GM the "first domestic automaker to build electric motors and drive units in United States." The question was whether or not Tesla, which builds the Model S in California, isn't already doing exactly that.

So we asked GM, which told AutoblogGreen that, "from our understanding Tesla does not 'wind' their own motors. 'Wind' is a verb that has a broad meaning synonymous with 'build' since the winding processes are the most capital- and process-intensive part of motor making, whether it is round wire (like theirs) or square wire like ours ('winding' for us means all the wire forming, wire insertion, twist, and welding are done at the same facility)."

In response, Tesla told AutoblogGreen: "We manufacture all parts of Model S motors here at the factory in Fremont, California. We have a winding line at the factory where we wind our own stators off of spools. We also manufacture the rotors and other components to the unit."

This all might be a bit of a semantic disagreement, but it is nice to see automakers fighting over the rights to say they were first in this particular aspect of electric vehicle manufacturing. It also makes us smile that the two companies involved both have "Motors" in their names, so maybe it's a point of pride. Now, if anyone wants to look into the history books and see how EV motors were made in the early 20th Century, we assume neither GM and Tesla could lay claim to being "first."

Tesla questions if Chevy is first OEM building electric vehicle motors in US? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:29:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543943/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543943/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/17/tesla-questions-chevy-first-oem-building-electric-ev-motors-us/20543943/article-detail.xml 20543943 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-copper-wire_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/chevy-spark-copper-wire.jpg <![CDATA[Tesla readying fleet of 80 Model S EVs to use as service loaners]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-readying-fleet-of-80-model-s-evs-to-use-as-service-loaners/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-readying-fleet-of-80-model-s-evs-to-use-as-service-loaners/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/17/tesla-readying-fleet-of-80-model-s-evs-to-use-as-service-loaners/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tesla Service Center

Fear not, Tesla drivers. When you take your Model S into the shop and need a loaner car, you'll get... another Model S.

Tesla chief Elon Musk tells USA Today that the all-electric vehicle maker will set aside about 80 Model S vehicles specifically for customers who need to take their cars in for some work. And wait, there's more. Not only will Tesla make sure the loaners are the top-of-the-line, 265-mile single-charge range variety, but the company will even have Tesla folks bring them to customers' homes or offices to eliminate the need for the dreaded drive to the shop. Musk credits Lexus with the idea of making sure customers don't have to downgrade when they take their cars to the dealer garage. Considering you're paying $600 a year for Tesla's service plan, it's the least the company could do.

Earlier this month, Tesla said it had its first-ever profitable quarter for the first quarter and that it sold 4,750 cars through the end of March, 250 more than its sales target.

Tesla readying fleet of 80 Model S EVs to use as service loaners originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleelon muskloanloanerserviceteslatesla model sWed, 17 Apr 2013 16:27:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543734/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20543734/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/17/tesla-readying-fleet-of-80-model-s-evs-to-use-as-service-loaners/20543734/article-detail.xml 20543734 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-service-center-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/tesla-service-center-628.jpg -1 2