Tesla Motors sells out first batch
Reports came out yesterday that Tesla Motors had sold out its first batch of 100 Signature models, which retail at a price of between $80,000 and $120,000. It's not surprising to us that Martin Eberhard, Elon Musk and company succeeded in selling their first 100 cars. Musk, the company's chairman, told AutoblogGreen that after the car's introduction on July 19th, "We have 100 collector's edition cars for sale that require a $100,000 up front deposit for purchase and only a few units are left." So it took them a few weeks to unload the remaining that weren't sold at the unveiling, but as Engadget notes, Tesla Motors just raised $10 million in capital in less than a month. CNET reports that only a few cars have actually been built so far and there's no word from Tesla Motors on when the next wave of orders will be announced.
[Source: CNET via Engadget]
Related:
Tesla Roadster Unveiling in Santa Monica
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Tesla Roadster Unveiling
Exclusive Q & A with Elon Musk on the Tesla Roadster and the future of EVs
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
it's doable... 11:52AM (8/16/2006)
Congratulations.
It'll be interesting to see how this success story affects the market for other EV cars.
Reply
WillDaThrill 2:43PM (8/16/2006)
I know new technology is expensive, but after making all that can you try to lower the price tag now? I'd pay 50 grand for it, but that's my limit (it'll also be the only thing I own). Not many rich folks will ever drive it except Ed Begley Jr., they'll just keep it stuffed in their car collection garage while the get chauffered in their limo's, drive their overpriced SUV's and exotics (damn, I sound like a friggin' tree hugger. I'm going to commit suicide now).
Reply
UberXY 3:42PM (8/16/2006)
I wish them every success, but I hope they are not using Sony Lithium batteries (see Dell).
One could write a book on the many small innovative car companies that have come and gone in the last 50 years.
Reply
JC Whitless 4:26PM (8/16/2006)
"Not many rich folks will ever drive it except Ed Begley Jr"
I'll trade him a pair of purple kids safety scissors for an 85 Monte Carlo....
Reply
Jim 5:10PM (8/16/2006)
Even if this company dies, the technology they have created will be picked up by the major auto manufacturers.
Personally, I think the interior of this car looks atrocious. The concept sketches were good, but whoever translated it into a 3D model was a bad modeler.
Reply
Larry Wechter 8:00AM (8/19/2006)
Very exciting car. We'll be waiting for the family vehicle (SUV). Keep the price around $50K and we'll buy or lease it. Most of our driving is in town so it seems like a great alternative for our real estate business. Probably still keep the 05 Expedition for the longer trips.
Larry & Joanne
Reply
Apeweek 11:04PM (8/21/2006)
Another interesting electric car, for those who can't spend 100k:
http://www.milesautomotive.com/products_xs200.html
It's an imported Chinese EV. Goes 200 miles per charge, 80mph top speed. MSRP $28,500. You can bet it sells for a lot less in China.
Reply