You Know What's Even MORE Impressive Than Tesla's CR Review? Its Sales.

It's hard to dispute facts. And here's one for you.

The Tesla Model S has sold 4,750 units in Q1 2013. That's a pretty good number. And, it gets better when you compare it against the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which tally 1,462, 2,338 and 3,077 units sold, respectively.

Problem is that the base prices aren't exactly lined up as the Tesla Model S starts at $62,400, the Audi at $72,200, the BMW at $73,600 and the Mercedes at $92,350.

Considering how you basically have to load up the Model S to get the right battery and all the accoutrements you'd come to expect in a luxury sedan it still is impressive.

You know the Tesla Model S, the $70,000 (and-up) electric car that "nobody can afford"? Well, evidently, more than a few people can afford it.

In fact, in the first quarter of this year, more people bought a Tesla Model S than bought any of the similarly priced gasoline-powered cars from the top three German luxury brands, according to data from LMC Automotive. About 4,750 buyers bought a Model S while just over 3,000 people bought Mercedes' top-level sedan.

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LJ745 - 5/20/2013 4:18:01 PM

+2 Boost

The other thing to take note of is that the Tesla competes with the A6/5 series/E class more so than the cars listed above. When that comparison is made, there is little difference. Further, I wonder if the demand for EVs will remain once the bleeding edge hipsters all finally have their electric car. I ran the numbers and for the average power generation in the U.S., the Tesla emits about 1/2 as much CO2 as a petrol car. However, if your electricity is provided exclusively by coal (quite possible) then the Tesla is no better and no worse than a standard petrol car. In other words, it isn't the tech so much as how the energy is produced that matters.

Finally, you are right about the $68 million. I'll be surprised if Tesla turns a real profit. As I see it, they are no better than GM or Chrysler taking government money to prop up a business.