The GREAT Debate: Give Us A %, 1-100, That ANY Of The Traditional Automakers Have A Shot At Beating Tesla In The EV Space

After last week's unveil of the all-new Tesla Model 3, still in concept form, it seems that potential buyers cannot get enough of Elon Musk's all-new product. Though official information has yet to be released, that has not scared off hundreds of thousands of handraisers from putting down a $1,000 deposit.

This is something that's never been seen before in the automotive space. Sure, 10,000 units here, 30,000 pre-orders there. That was once a big deal. Now it's a joke.

From the vehicles themselves to the pitch man to the company's business model, it seems like the company is unstoppable. It's kind of like when Apple introduced the first-gen iPhone. It was a gamechanger, everyone knew it and lined up to buy into Steve Jobs' vision.

This time it's Elon Musk and the Model 3.

As we have thought about the electric vehicle space, it seems as though no traditional auto manufacturer has the product, buzz or person to move units. Here's a fun little game. THINK: How many billions of dollars have been wasted, fruitlessly, to take down Tesla when one of the big players could have simply bought them outright?

All that said, we're a wee bit curious: On a percentage basis, 1-100, what are the chances that a traditional auto manufacturer can take on and beat Tesla?

iamdabest1 - 4/7/2016 12:03:19 AM

+3 Boost

drove my cousins i8 a few days ago and absolutely LOVED it. other manufacturers can absolutely beat tesla. the tesla is just NOT a good looking car. if others really focused on it, they can beat tesla. it wont be easy, but it all depends how much of their recources they are willing to use to get to the Tesla level.

valhallakey - 4/7/2016 2:21:37 AM

+3 Boost

Toyota, BMW, GM, Nissan… all and more could compete quite well, they just have to make that leap to leave the combustion engine behind on some of their products. I think the BMW i line is a good start and differentiates those cars from the rest of the BMW line. I think GM should create a Volt/Bolt brand for the same reasons.

runninglogan1 - 4/7/2016 3:39:24 AM

-2 Boost

Tesla has become an aspirational brand. People WANT to drive a Tesla but most can't afford one - yet. No mainstream brand can compete with the cache of owning a Tesla and no luxury brand will offer a $40k model 3 alternative. I give them a 2% chance.

mre30 - 4/7/2016 6:49:20 AM

+6 Boost

Other automakers have a 100% chance of beating Tesla, which is a one-trick pony. The Model S has had marketplace success; the Model X (which is a rebodied Model S underneath) is still-born at this point.

Its technology is slick for the time being, but aside from the touchscreen it looks like a Camry inside. Sure its fast but other automakers can bolt on the same power plant and make a fast $100,000 electric. Aside from the fun factor of doing 0-60 silently in 4 seconds, its Camry-like. Drive it back to back with a MB, Porsche, Audi, or BMW and the holistic driving experience is Camry-like compared to the German metal.

Other automakers will crush Tesla, which is now starved for development dollars and will likely never launch the Model 3, because of the virtual impossibility of scaling up its production volume.

runninglogan1 - 4/7/2016 7:47:52 AM

-5 Boost

Yes, the Model S is Camry-like. Lol!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUW0l7bZn1s

Haters gonna hate.

MDarringer - 4/7/2016 8:27:04 AM

+7 Boost

The ONLY reason that big automakers are not already beating Tesla is because EVs are not a significant volume segment. Tesla appeals to rich, greenie, Bernie Sanders supporters who believe in the church of climate change. Not the most intelligent lot.

HenryN - 4/7/2016 12:35:56 PM

+1 Boost

AGENT00R:

While I appreciate your effort to bring up various discussion topics, but maybe you can refrain from posting anything related to Tesla since it seems to bring out the worst in some people on this board. It has become more and more like political campaigns than civil debates.

Since everyone here is entitled to his opinion, no matter how polarizing, I think you have the power to control it by not initiating the topics. We can still talk about other car stuffs.

Really appreciate it.

Henry

vdiv - 4/7/2016 2:58:07 PM

+2 Boost

He wants the eyeballs so the more controversial the topic the better.

The question is very relevant though, when will the legacy automakers finally wake up and smell the coffee? In less than two iterations from now (2015) they will not be able to sell their bread and butter fossil cars in the Netherlands, do they really think it will stop there or they can postpone or prevent that from happening?

vdiv - 4/7/2016 2:58:41 PM

+2 Boost

2025

MDarringer - 4/8/2016 8:23:32 AM

0 Boost

Yes, squelching free speech and spirited debate is always the right thing to do.

MrEE - 4/7/2016 10:35:35 PM

+3 Boost

10%
Musk is solving the whole EV challenge, others don't appear to have the capability or desire. Honda and Toyota may have the better approach with hydrogen, but electricity is already available everywhere, just add chargers. Musk is reinventing the entire experience and life-cycle with design, engineering, manufacturing, worldwide network of chargers, purchasing, servicing, etc. Others will be coming to the party but trailing Tesla for some time.

MDarringer - 4/8/2016 8:24:09 AM

-2 Boost

There is nothing game changing about Tesla's technology.

MachtSchnell - 4/11/2016 5:05:05 PM

+1 Boost

85% on BMW to beat or stay even.