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Are you sure? From where I sit, it looks like Tesla is just offering a traditional car with a different set of organs. They don't seem to show any signs of do

by cujo 10y ago

Are you sure? From where I sit, it looks like Tesla is just offering a traditional car with a different set of organs. They don't seem to show any signs of doing anything different than ford on the sales/direction angle.

koreyb 10y ago
Other than no franchise stores and big budget advertising.
michaelbuckbee 10y ago
Here's the things that seem different to me: - No dealerships - Supercharger network (It started as free, but now it's moving to pay/minute usage). I expect that in the years to come it will become a profit center. - Powerwall battery + solar roof integration - Tesla seems to have more cars on the road doing some level of autonomous driving now than anyone else. I think that real world experience and data counts for something.
- briandear 10y ago
  No dealerships isn't an innovation. I do find it ironic that those that complain about Uber "violating the law" when it comes to taxi services seem to have no problem not complaining when Tesla attempts to subvert many state laws against direct-sales. For the record, I think Uber should challenge ridiculous anti-competitive regulations just as Tesla should challenge ridiculous anti-competitive regulations. But you can't cheer Tesla fighting the law while condemning Uber for doing the same and stay intellectually consistent. Dealership laws were passed ostensibly to 'protect the consumer' just as taxi regulations were passed for the same reason. In reality, both types of laws don't protect anyone -- except industry incumbents.
  - entee 10y ago
    It does appear that Tesla is a little more deliberate than Uber in that regard. They do comply with court orders, they have been trying to fight the laws in court and the legislature as a first option instead of as a, "we got caught, sorry" option. It's also unclear that Tesla is particularly opposed to regulation in general, whereas Uber has essentially resisted any regulations (say, fingerprinting or deeper background checks or employee/contractor designations) at every turn. Uber (until recently) wouldn't even pay a nominal fee to test autonomous vehicles!
- threeseed 10y ago
  1. No dealerships isn't innovative. It's common in many parts of the world. 2. Is anyone interested in adopting Tesla's power connector ? If not then it is a massive sunk cost. Not a smart move for a small company. 3. Not aware of any unique integation between Tesla car and the Powerwall battery. I can imagine the car being used as an extended battery but that's hardly a game changer. 4. The big difference for me having driven a Tesla is how god awful the interiors are. Arguably one of the worst on the road today. That's definitely unique.
obmelvin 10y ago
The conversation is about self driving features, not about sales.

by cujo 10y ago

koreyb 10y ago

Other than no franchise stores and big budget advertising.

michaelbuckbee 10y ago

Here's the things that seem different to me: - No dealerships - Supercharger network (It started as free, but now it's moving to pay/minute usage). I expect that in the years to come it will become a profit center. - Powerwall battery + solar roof integration - Tesla seems to have more cars on the road doing some level of autonomous driving now than anyone else. I think that real world experience and data counts for something.

briandear 10y ago
No dealerships isn't an innovation. I do find it ironic that those that complain about Uber "violating the law" when it comes to taxi services seem to have no problem not complaining when Tesla attempts to subvert many state laws against direct-sales. For the record, I think Uber should challenge ridiculous anti-competitive regulations just as Tesla should challenge ridiculous anti-competitive regulations. But you can't cheer Tesla fighting the law while condemning Uber for doing the same and stay intellectually consistent. Dealership laws were passed ostensibly to 'protect the consumer' just as taxi regulations were passed for the same reason. In reality, both types of laws don't protect anyone -- except industry incumbents.
- entee 10y ago
  It does appear that Tesla is a little more deliberate than Uber in that regard. They do comply with court orders, they have been trying to fight the laws in court and the legislature as a first option instead of as a, "we got caught, sorry" option. It's also unclear that Tesla is particularly opposed to regulation in general, whereas Uber has essentially resisted any regulations (say, fingerprinting or deeper background checks or employee/contractor designations) at every turn. Uber (until recently) wouldn't even pay a nominal fee to test autonomous vehicles!
threeseed 10y ago
1. No dealerships isn't innovative. It's common in many parts of the world. 2. Is anyone interested in adopting Tesla's power connector ? If not then it is a massive sunk cost. Not a smart move for a small company. 3. Not aware of any unique integation between Tesla car and the Powerwall battery. I can imagine the car being used as an extended battery but that's hardly a game changer. 4. The big difference for me having driven a Tesla is how god awful the interiors are. Arguably one of the worst on the road today. That's definitely unique.

obmelvin 10y ago

The conversation is about self driving features, not about sales.