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I can't wait for Silicon Valley to be the next Detroit! Hmmm on second thought... ;) Tesla, not government bailouts, represents the future of America's auto in
by mrshoe 17y ago
I can't wait for Silicon Valley to be the next Detroit! Hmmm on second thought... ;)
Tesla, not government bailouts, represents the future of America's auto industry. In the computer industry we can observe relatively short regenerative cycles whereby companies are founded, grow, and then slowly die off as the reins are passed to the next company. I think this is very healthy for the industry. It assures that we can adapt and use new methods that make more sense given changes in technology and society.
I realize that the barrier of entry into the automotive industry is much higher than the computer industry, but I still can't help thinking that the same players have existed in automotive for so long that it's just become stagnant. They're all bogged down in bureaucracy and committed to modes of operation that just don't make sense any more. The industry is in need of some healthy churn.
It looks like Tesla might succeed at contributing to this renaissance. I hope others are courageous enough to follow suit.
- run4yourlives 17y agoWhile I agree, keep in mind however that buying a new car every 18 months isn't something that most consumers are yet used to. That is the end result of the quick turnover that defines the tech industry. It's also extremely wasteful.
- j2d2 17y agoThere is reason to believe these cars can be sold in the lucrative metal export market, so it's not a total waste. Perhaps our old cars will help build the new chinese infrastructure. I agree, it seems quite wasteful, but how wasteful remains to be seen.
- run4yourlives 17y agoIdeally, I think what you want is an upgradable car, like a jet fighter, that can maintain a single body and have replaceable components. I don't think we'll ever get that though because consumers are too fickle, and there is no real benefit to the manufacturer.
- frossie 17y agoYes, even for cars with significant onboard user-oriented software systems (like the Prius) there is no upgrade path. It seems we are currently in the "early cellphone" phase, rather than the "iPhone" era where automotive software is concerned.
- JimmyL 17y agoYeah - the buying patterns of tech and cars are quite different. As you say, people don't buy a new car every eighteen months. Buying cars also involves a lot more intangibles than buying technology does, and costs a lot more. There's also the whole system of buying (dealer networks with huge overheards), as well as the difference in how long it takes to bring something from concept to market (based on safety testing).
- sown 17y agoTesla took money from the government. I think this is why they're profitable. http://green.venturebeat.com/2009/06/24/government-dumps-funds-on-electric-car-biz-including-465m-for-tesla/ http://green.venturebeat.com/2009/06/24/government-dumps-fun...
- jacoblyles 17y agoStill, I can't get over the nagging doubt that the all-electric vehicle could be more of an idealistic attempt to appeal to popular biases rather than a sober decision based on product and market research.
- pmorici 17y agoA co-worker of mine did rough calculations on the cost of charging an electric car vs. buying gas and they concluded gas would have to be $8 per gallon before electric was cheaper than gas purely on fuel cost.
- natemartin 17y agoReally? I'm surprised at that. Did they take into consideration the lower price of electricity at off-peak times?