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And you really think Elon will not figure out a way to do the same? SpaceX has already accomplished a much harder task (reusable rockets), which not even nation

And you really think Elon will not figure out a way to do the same? SpaceX has already accomplished a much harder task (reusable rockets), which not even nation states have been able to do. Elon's main focus right now is "building the machine that builds the machines", he says they will have the most advanced manufacturing in the world, vehicle or not, and based on his past successes, I don't see anything that will stop him other than death or illness.

mschuster91 9y ago
> And you really think Elon will not figure out a way to do the same? Scaling car factories across the world is something that took BigCar decades and billions upon billions of dollars. And the level of automation expertise BigCar has is something that Tesla won't have for years to come. > SpaceX has already accomplished a much harder task (reusable rockets), which not even nation states have been able to do. SpaceX had three advantages: 1) no political bullshit like NASA has to suffer from with political aims shifting at least with every new POTUS, only Elon at the top with a clear, extremely long term vision 2) they were free to research in any direction they wanted and in the workflow they wanted, without being stuck on technologies, suppliers etc. due to unions, political collusion or other "government-only issues" 3) massive increase in technological capabilities: SpaceX came at perfectly the right time to enjoy the combination affordable super computing, 3D printing and especially decades of material science and rocketry research, while the Russians were/are stuck due to a lack of money and the ULA was hampered by being stuck on Waterfall-style development and general government issues.
- sixQuarks 9y ago
  OK, if you feel so strongly, care to make a bet?
- detritus 9y ago
  Which is why you hire-in talent, as Tesla have done with ex-Audi honcho Peter Hochholdinger to head up their production... https://electrek.co/2016/10/13/tesla-vp-vehicle-production-interview-peter-hochholdinger/ https://electrek.co/2016/10/13/tesla-vp-vehicle-production-i... (yes, yes - it's electrek, a less than unbiased source...)

mschuster91 9y ago

> And you really think Elon will not figure out a way to do the same? Scaling car factories across the world is something that took BigCar decades and billions upon billions of dollars. And the level of automation expertise BigCar has is something that Tesla won't have for years to come. > SpaceX has already accomplished a much harder task (reusable rockets), which not even nation states have been able to do. SpaceX had three advantages: 1) no political bullshit like NASA has to suffer from with political aims shifting at least with every new POTUS, only Elon at the top with a clear, extremely long term vision 2) they were free to research in any direction they wanted and in the workflow they wanted, without being stuck on technologies, suppliers etc. due to unions, political collusion or other "government-only issues" 3) massive increase in technological capabilities: SpaceX came at perfectly the right time to enjoy the combination affordable super computing, 3D printing and especially decades of material science and rocketry research, while the Russians were/are stuck due to a lack of money and the ULA was hampered by being stuck on Waterfall-style development and general government issues.

sixQuarks 9y ago
OK, if you feel so strongly, care to make a bet?
detritus 9y ago
Which is why you hire-in talent, as Tesla have done with ex-Audi honcho Peter Hochholdinger to head up their production... https://electrek.co/2016/10/13/tesla-vp-vehicle-production-interview-peter-hochholdinger/ https://electrek.co/2016/10/13/tesla-vp-vehicle-production-i... (yes, yes - it's electrek, a less than unbiased source...)