DailyTech - Quick Note: Tesla Motors Lost Money on Every Roadster Sold, Plans 3-Series Rival

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Auto Quick Note: Tesla Motors Lost Money on Every Roadster Sold, Plans 3-Series Rival
Brandon Hill (Blog) - October 27, 2011 9:38 AM

36 comment(s) - last by andyhi.. on Oct 28 at 12:21 PM

Tesla Motors' third generation electric car platform will spawn multiple vehicles

When it comes to modern all-electric vehicles, Tesla Motors is normally the first name the pops into the mind of car enthusiasts. The company burst onto the scene with its two-seat Roadster, and later introduced the Roadster Sport.

According to a new report from AutoCar, Tesla lost money on every Roadster sold despite its $109,000 price tag ($128,500 for the Roadster Sport). Now that production on that first generation model has ceased, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk states that the next generation Roadster will arrive in 2014.

^{Tesla Roadster and Model S [Source: Tesla Motors]}

The new third-generation platform that will underpin the new Roadster will also be shared with a new 3-Series sized vehicle according to Musk. “This platform will spawn a range of cars in the next four to five years,” Musk added. “It’ll be a more mass-market platform for cars like a 3-series as well as the new Roadster. These cars will supplement the Model S range.”

Tesla is launching its all-electric Model S sedan -- which is roughly the size of a BMW 5-Series -- next year. The Roadster was loosely based on the Lotus Elise, while the Model S is an all-new "from scratch" design. It will have a base price of $57,400, so we wonder how long it will take for the company to actually make money on the vehicle.

Companies like Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors are currently in the news as many question their worthiness of receiving government funding.

Source: AutoCar

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RE: Great Company

By DT_Reader on 10/27/2011 12:45:51 PM , Rating: 2

A "viable alternative" for you, maybe. With a 20 mile commute, a 50 mile range is all I need. I'd love a $15,000 EV with a 50 mile range; I have no use for (can't afford) a $60,000 EV with a 200 mile range.

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RE: Great Company

By Kurz on 10/27/2011 1:05:46 PM , Rating: 2

How long will that 50 mile range be viable?
Batteries go through Oxidation Processes that eat away at their ability to hold a charge.

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RE: Great Company

By BZDTemp on 10/27/2011 2:16:09 PM , Rating: 2

You may wanna look into 2-wheeled electric motorcycles. There are some very interesting things going on in that world.

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RE: Great Company

By Spuke on 10/27/2011 3:00:41 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
a 50 mile range is all I need. I'd love a $15,000 EV with a 50 mile range

You've just proved that EV's are NOT currently a viable alternative. If you're waiting for prices to drop to $15k before you buy, good luck. CAFE 2025 will NOT allow cheap cars in the market, especially EV's. And before you say you'll buy used (you won't but I'll mention it anyways), good luck again standing in line behind the other people wanting a $15k EV too.

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