Have The Detroit Three Already Lost The Electric Car Battle?

California start-up Tesla Motors claims to be ahead of traditional automakers in the battle for electric-car supremacy, one of the company’s high-profile investors said today in an interview.

But the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company has only sold 100 cars so far this year and has cut in half its production target for the new Model S sports sedan, according to Wunderlich Securities analyst Theodore O'Neill.

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TimothyC - 9/14/2012 1:40:13 PM

+3 Boost

So who's winning the battle? If I don't see any appreciable presence of electric cars in Hollywood, then I'm assuming the answer is nobody. For every hybrid Prius I see here, there's an AMG Mercedes to even out any environmental advantage...

Northstar - 9/14/2012 2:49:58 PM

+2 Boost

What battle? Electric cars have not proven that they can compete in the broad market as useful transportation for the masses. Range anxiety and initial price are but two of the huge stumbling blocks. It has been said that Tesla is a vehicle for rich venture capitalists (the speaker here-in). As far as innovation goes one would expect breakthoughs to come from small nimble firms. That's the way it usually works.

PLAY - 9/14/2012 3:09:52 PM

0 Boost

Not really. The technology is becoming much better for commercial applications. Just look at the strategy Tesla is using. With each new generation of vehicle, they are improving performance and lowering the price of the electric technology. Their plan is for it to eventually be in an affordable price range for everyday consumers. The big 3 have just gotten out of the gate and are likely working in the same way. They need time to make the technology cheaper, but they are heading in that direction.