Tesla Motors’ latest plans
Feb 12, 2009 Auto Tech
Tesla Roadster
In a recent newletter, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors has revealed plans for opening new Tesla stores in Chicago and London as well as in Manhattan, Miami, Seattle and Munich. He also confirmed plans for unveiling a roadgoing prototype of its Model S sedan on March 26.
While the latest newsletter has words on the recent $40 million financing, the expected $350million US govt. loans and the battery deal with Daimler, more interesting is the company’s decision to allow customers to pay $12,000, €10,000 or £9,000 up front and in return receive a replacement battery pack (which apparently costs 3 times that) after seven years, which is claimed as the battery life with normal use. Tesla is also offering an extended warranty: an additional 3 years and 36,000 miles or 60,000 kilometers, for $5,000, €4,000 or £3,800.
While Tesla may be gloating about the Roadster being the latest choice of Hollywod celebrities and there being no competitors, it better get its act together soon as new competitors are fast coming up: everything from the extended range Fisker Karma to the SSC Ultimate Aero EV.
The company got some flak when it revised upwards the prices of the Roadster and previously standard features like high perfomance charger, last month and had to organise town-hall type meeting to soothe frayed tempers. But the Rodster is still much in demand, with 200 on road and 1000 string waiting list and claims that some cars are changing hands for $160000, much above the $109000 list price (something usually associated with Ferraris and Lambhorghinis and Aston Martins)!
Tags: Elon Musk, Tesla, Tesla Motors
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