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"Test drive one." But how many people care about how a car drives vs. what they have now? I own a 911 but I can tell you my mother has no interest and no util

by larrys 13y ago

"Test drive one." But how many people care about how a car drives vs. what they have now? I own a 911 but I can tell you my mother has no interest and no utility in that car nor does my father. When it just went in for service the dealer gave me a hybrid Cayenne as a loaner. That car has much more utility than the 911. But I have no interest in it at all. Cost of fuel has nothing to do with it either. It's to big (I've had that type of car before when I needed something with that kind of space and it comes in handy). So my question is, of the things that Tesla is good for NOW (not in 5 or 10 years) what features does it have that the general public cares about that will drive sales? Because I fail to see that the "driving" experience will be one of them. I mean it's not like I get into the Porsche every day when I drive it and say "wow this is so super I'm so happy". After a bit you just get used to it.

revelation 13y ago
Right now, most people would already pay less for electricity than they do for gasoline. Theres (presumably) less need for constant servicing or oil refills, because an AC induction motor is such a ridiculously simple beast.
ChuckMcM 13y ago
That is something of a false choice (no offense to your Mom) unless you Mom currently drives a BMW 5 series sedan. This question : "Of the things that Tesla is good for NOW (not in 5 or 10 years) what features does it have that the general public cares about that will drive sales?" Is what is leading your thinking astray. The model S isn't designed for the "general public" any more than the BMW 5 series is designed for the "general public". A better question is this "How much of the $85,000 sport sedan market can Tesla capture with this offering?" And the answer to that question is "quite a bit." Now since that is a pretty high margin business to be in (they are luxury cars after all) the follow on question is can they use the profits from that market to enter the $40,000 sport sedan market? Or the $40,000 small truck market? or any of a number of lower price points. I think the answer is yes (of course), and I think that the challenge of those more cost effective markets are that people become more skeptical of 'new' cars and want 'established' cars. Which is why Lexus and Acura started with luxury cars and moved down market rather than the other way.
- larrys 13y ago
  "How much of the $85,000 sport sedan market can Tesla capture with this offering?" And the answer to that question is "quite a bit." I can only speak for myself but will add also my observation of other car buyers over the years. The noise a vehicle makes matters. The fact that the Tesla makes no noise is a drawback to me and I suspect others in this category. I like the feedback and noise that an engine makes. (Think Harley Davidson and how that sounds and how that's a positive to buyers of that vehicle). I don't have links or research to back this up. Just what I feel is the case. Also one of the reason people buy cars in this category is because of things you can't put your finger on performance wise. It's a luxury product and there is a certain amount of head baggage that makes it attractive to you. There are people who won't buy anything but a 911 (no boxster, no cayman etc.) because it isn't the car they dreamed about as a kid (that of course will change with the aging population I'm just pointing it out behaviorally.) That said it would be interesting to know of the buyers of the Tesla what car they owned before that car.
  - w1ntermute 13y ago
    > The noise a vehicle makes matters. The fact that the Tesla makes no noise is a drawback to me and I suspect others in this category. Meh, this is a minor problem. They could probably just slap some speakers on there to make some noise if this became a real concern. In any case, at lower prices, people are just interested in utility. And once silent cars become universal at lower price points (maybe in 20-30 years), they'll probably ban cars that do make noise, just to reduce noise pollution.

by larrys 13y ago

revelation 13y ago

Right now, most people would already pay less for electricity than they do for gasoline. Theres (presumably) less need for constant servicing or oil refills, because an AC induction motor is such a ridiculously simple beast.

ChuckMcM 13y ago

That is something of a false choice (no offense to your Mom) unless you Mom currently drives a BMW 5 series sedan. This question : "Of the things that Tesla is good for NOW (not in 5 or 10 years) what features does it have that the general public cares about that will drive sales?" Is what is leading your thinking astray. The model S isn't designed for the "general public" any more than the BMW 5 series is designed for the "general public". A better question is this "How much of the $85,000 sport sedan market can Tesla capture with this offering?" And the answer to that question is "quite a bit." Now since that is a pretty high margin business to be in (they are luxury cars after all) the follow on question is can they use the profits from that market to enter the $40,000 sport sedan market? Or the $40,000 small truck market? or any of a number of lower price points. I think the answer is yes (of course), and I think that the challenge of those more cost effective markets are that people become more skeptical of 'new' cars and want 'established' cars. Which is why Lexus and Acura started with luxury cars and moved down market rather than the other way.

larrys 13y ago
"How much of the $85,000 sport sedan market can Tesla capture with this offering?" And the answer to that question is "quite a bit." I can only speak for myself but will add also my observation of other car buyers over the years. The noise a vehicle makes matters. The fact that the Tesla makes no noise is a drawback to me and I suspect others in this category. I like the feedback and noise that an engine makes. (Think Harley Davidson and how that sounds and how that's a positive to buyers of that vehicle). I don't have links or research to back this up. Just what I feel is the case. Also one of the reason people buy cars in this category is because of things you can't put your finger on performance wise. It's a luxury product and there is a certain amount of head baggage that makes it attractive to you. There are people who won't buy anything but a 911 (no boxster, no cayman etc.) because it isn't the car they dreamed about as a kid (that of course will change with the aging population I'm just pointing it out behaviorally.) That said it would be interesting to know of the buyers of the Tesla what car they owned before that car.
- w1ntermute 13y ago
  > The noise a vehicle makes matters. The fact that the Tesla makes no noise is a drawback to me and I suspect others in this category. Meh, this is a minor problem. They could probably just slap some speakers on there to make some noise if this became a real concern. In any case, at lower prices, people are just interested in utility. And once silent cars become universal at lower price points (maybe in 20-30 years), they'll probably ban cars that do make noise, just to reduce noise pollution.