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Interesting analysis, but I wonder if they have plans the author is not aware of. BMW knows Tesla is eating their 3 series lunch. I’d be surprised if they had

by netfl0 7y ago

Interesting analysis, but I wonder if they have plans the author is not aware of. BMW knows Tesla is eating their 3 series lunch. I’d be surprised if they had nothing up their sleeve.

objektif 7y ago
If it was anything imminent I think we would have known by now. If they do have a plan to reveal slmething 2-3 years from now it is already way too late.
- netfl0 7y ago
  Why is that too late, I am curious if you have any source or data for that?
tachyonbeam 7y ago
As far as I know, no other car manufacturer has the battery production capacity Tesla has, and Tesla itself is limited by its own battery production capacity. It will take them years to catch up on that front.
- clouddrover 7y ago
  > It will take them years to catch up on that front Not really. They'll just buy batteries from battery makers like CATL, LG, SK Innovations, Panasonic, etc. as well as pursue partnerships with companies like Northvolt: https://www.france24.com/en/20190502-asia-charge-electric-car-battery-production https://www.france24.com/en/20190502-asia-charge-electric-ca...
  - netfl0 7y ago
    This was my thought as well. Regarding modularity, batteries seem to be the easiest to deal with. I was always impressed with Tesla’s idea of laptop batteries, it essentially has not changed much. Lots of little batteries.
- mikekchar 7y ago
  Serious question: Does Tesla actually have that capacity, though? My understanding (which may be wrong) is that Tesla batteries are being produced by Panasonic. The Toyota/Mazda/etc joint venture has revealed that they are going with Panasonic as well. Meanwhile the Panasonic/Tesla battery factory in South Korea has been shelved. I'm actually more than a bit curious if this will cause problems for Tesla in the near future. BTW, in case it's not obvious, I'm not that well versed in this, so nobody should read too much into my comments. I'm really just soliciting opinions from people who know more than me.
  - imtringued 7y ago
    EV companies are hesitant to invest into battery cell manufacturers because if they don't get an exclusive deal then they end up funding their competitors. Tesla probably solves this dilemma by leasing floor space to Panasonic inside the Gigafactories. Tesla will always be the highest paying customer because they don't have to pay shipping costs.
- benj111 7y ago
  Panasonic was cancelling planned production increases not so long ago, have you got a link? http://thestoreyteller.online/2019/04/25/tesla-and-panasonic-halt-gigafactory-expansion/ http://thestoreyteller.online/2019/04/25/tesla-and-panasonic...
dano 7y ago
No kidding. I want to replace my aging 325i with an all electric 325e and there seems to be nothing on the horizon. I truly enjoy driving BMWs and would like to stay in the fold, but my next car will be electric.
tonyedgecombe 7y ago
I’m not sure that is the case, BMW have had eight consecutive years of growth. If they are suffering at all at the moment it is probably down to weak demand in China as much as anything. https://www.best-selling-cars.com/brands/2018-global-bmw-mini-rolls-royce-worldwide-sales/ https://www.best-selling-cars.com/brands/2018-global-bmw-min...

by netfl0 7y ago

Interesting analysis, but I wonder if they have plans the author is not aware of. BMW knows Tesla is eating their 3 series lunch. I’d be surprised if they had nothing up their sleeve.

objektif 7y ago

If it was anything imminent I think we would have known by now. If they do have a plan to reveal slmething 2-3 years from now it is already way too late.

netfl0 7y ago
Why is that too late, I am curious if you have any source or data for that?

tachyonbeam 7y ago

As far as I know, no other car manufacturer has the battery production capacity Tesla has, and Tesla itself is limited by its own battery production capacity. It will take them years to catch up on that front.

clouddrover 7y ago
> It will take them years to catch up on that front Not really. They'll just buy batteries from battery makers like CATL, LG, SK Innovations, Panasonic, etc. as well as pursue partnerships with companies like Northvolt: https://www.france24.com/en/20190502-asia-charge-electric-car-battery-production https://www.france24.com/en/20190502-asia-charge-electric-ca...
- netfl0 7y ago
  This was my thought as well. Regarding modularity, batteries seem to be the easiest to deal with. I was always impressed with Tesla’s idea of laptop batteries, it essentially has not changed much. Lots of little batteries.
mikekchar 7y ago
Serious question: Does Tesla actually have that capacity, though? My understanding (which may be wrong) is that Tesla batteries are being produced by Panasonic. The Toyota/Mazda/etc joint venture has revealed that they are going with Panasonic as well. Meanwhile the Panasonic/Tesla battery factory in South Korea has been shelved. I'm actually more than a bit curious if this will cause problems for Tesla in the near future. BTW, in case it's not obvious, I'm not that well versed in this, so nobody should read too much into my comments. I'm really just soliciting opinions from people who know more than me.
- imtringued 7y ago
  EV companies are hesitant to invest into battery cell manufacturers because if they don't get an exclusive deal then they end up funding their competitors. Tesla probably solves this dilemma by leasing floor space to Panasonic inside the Gigafactories. Tesla will always be the highest paying customer because they don't have to pay shipping costs.
benj111 7y ago
Panasonic was cancelling planned production increases not so long ago, have you got a link? http://thestoreyteller.online/2019/04/25/tesla-and-panasonic-halt-gigafactory-expansion/ http://thestoreyteller.online/2019/04/25/tesla-and-panasonic...

dano 7y ago

No kidding. I want to replace my aging 325i with an all electric 325e and there seems to be nothing on the horizon. I truly enjoy driving BMWs and would like to stay in the fold, but my next car will be electric.

tonyedgecombe 7y ago

I’m not sure that is the case, BMW have had eight consecutive years of growth. If they are suffering at all at the moment it is probably down to weak demand in China as much as anything. https://www.best-selling-cars.com/brands/2018-global-bmw-mini-rolls-royce-worldwide-sales/ https://www.best-selling-cars.com/brands/2018-global-bmw-min...