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Most of these things require high production amounts which allow refinement and bulk orders. The first Tesla Roadster's ended up being around $110K. They're n

Most of these things require high production amounts which allow refinement and bulk orders. The first Tesla Roadster's ended up being around $110K. They're now doing Model 3's for $35K. I expect the same with the roofs -- they will drop price drastically, but they need to get them out there first.

stupidhn 9y ago
>They're now doing Model 3's for $35K. What do you mean it isn't the point? They haven't even started production on the Model 3, let alone delivered one for $35k, which is very unlikely to happen. So it's yet to be seen what they'll deliver for 35k. And by the way, the second model(turned out to be the X) was also supposed to be cheaper than the first (Model S). It wasn't. Musk is already announcing the 4th model will be cheaper than the 3.
- semi-extrinsic 9y ago
  Meanwhile you can buy a Chevy Bolt today with 238 mile range, MSRP $37k before tax credits, ~$30k after. The more upscale BMW i3 with 195 mile range can also be bought today, at ~$35k after tax credits. If GM can build enough Bolts to keep up with demand (the waiting list here in Europe is apparently 12 months now), and with the other big players trying to catch up (Hyundai, Nissan, Ford all expected to have 200+ mile range models in 2018), Tesla has to hurry up and deliver on their target price, delivery dates and volume.
- KerryJones 9y ago
  It's not the point. The point is they are doing something drastically cheaper than it was, because of mass production. Even if it comes out to be 40K or 45K -- that's still way lower than it was when it started. You can get nitpicky about the specifics, it's also completely expected that Musk is always late but always delivers, and usually for a little bit more than expected. This is his MO.
maxerickson 9y ago
They haven't delivered a Model 3 yet.
- mholt 9y ago
  That's not the point. Sales from their previous, more expensive models allowed them to ramp up production capacity for the Model 3.
  - maxerickson 9y ago
    Sure it's the point. If they don't actually hit a $35,000 price then it is a bit much to credit them for bringing the price down to $35,000.
    - TarpitCarnivore 9y ago
      35K is also the base MSRP which almost never happens in a car sale.
  - robotresearcher 9y ago
    Not even close. Enormous borrowing and investment raising allowed them to ramp up production capacity.
    - qwtel 9y ago
      strange how they didnt do that right out of the gate... maybe nobody would lend and invest in a company with no history of building a car, let alone one that was deemed impossible? now lets put on our after the fact analysis hat, where cause and effect are blurred and previous uncertainties are already resolved and we can conclude whatever what we set out to conclude. and thats how we get from "this car cant be built" to "i could have done it".

stupidhn 9y ago

>They're now doing Model 3's for $35K. What do you mean it isn't the point? They haven't even started production on the Model 3, let alone delivered one for $35k, which is very unlikely to happen. So it's yet to be seen what they'll deliver for 35k. And by the way, the second model(turned out to be the X) was also supposed to be cheaper than the first (Model S). It wasn't. Musk is already announcing the 4th model will be cheaper than the 3.

semi-extrinsic 9y ago
Meanwhile you can buy a Chevy Bolt today with 238 mile range, MSRP $37k before tax credits, ~$30k after. The more upscale BMW i3 with 195 mile range can also be bought today, at ~$35k after tax credits. If GM can build enough Bolts to keep up with demand (the waiting list here in Europe is apparently 12 months now), and with the other big players trying to catch up (Hyundai, Nissan, Ford all expected to have 200+ mile range models in 2018), Tesla has to hurry up and deliver on their target price, delivery dates and volume.
KerryJones 9y ago
It's not the point. The point is they are doing something drastically cheaper than it was, because of mass production. Even if it comes out to be 40K or 45K -- that's still way lower than it was when it started. You can get nitpicky about the specifics, it's also completely expected that Musk is always late but always delivers, and usually for a little bit more than expected. This is his MO.

maxerickson 9y ago

They haven't delivered a Model 3 yet.

mholt 9y ago
That's not the point. Sales from their previous, more expensive models allowed them to ramp up production capacity for the Model 3.
- maxerickson 9y ago
  Sure it's the point. If they don't actually hit a $35,000 price then it is a bit much to credit them for bringing the price down to $35,000.
  - TarpitCarnivore 9y ago
    35K is also the base MSRP which almost never happens in a car sale.
- robotresearcher 9y ago
  Not even close. Enormous borrowing and investment raising allowed them to ramp up production capacity.
  - qwtel 9y ago
    strange how they didnt do that right out of the gate... maybe nobody would lend and invest in a company with no history of building a car, let alone one that was deemed impossible? now lets put on our after the fact analysis hat, where cause and effect are blurred and previous uncertainties are already resolved and we can conclude whatever what we set out to conclude. and thats how we get from "this car cant be built" to "i could have done it".