Tesla Working On A Mini Car, What Does That Mean?

Tesla Working On A Mini Car, What Does That Mean?
In the latest episode of ‘is Elon Musk joking?’, the CEO says that they are working on a ‘mini-Tesla’ that works for adults.

Now what does that mean exactly
Musk has often tweeted crazy things that sounded like jokes but turned out to be actual projects.


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MDarringerMDarringer - 8/6/2018 10:04:41 AM
+5 Boost
Elon's heroin-fueled dementia is getting the best of him.


qwertyfla1qwertyfla1 - 8/6/2018 11:50:52 AM
+4 Boost
Smoke and mirror cloud cover for the more pressing issues at hand and tightening noose neck tie Elon is sporting.


PUGPROUDPUGPROUD - 8/6/2018 11:51:46 AM
+4 Boost
It means more hype in an effort to snag more cash before its too late.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/6/2018 12:46:31 PM
-3 Boost
Maybe a go kart? Not quite sure. Was hoping it would be like a Mini or Smart car sized Tesla that everyone can afford, but likely it is a bigger version of what you see in the photo.


zliveszlives - 8/6/2018 2:14:18 PM
+3 Boost
hehe i assume its for musk's mini-me clone.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/6/2018 9:43:47 PM
0 Boost
That would be hilarious


TheSteveTheSteve - 8/6/2018 1:15:30 PM
+5 Boost
What does it mean?
- More hype
- A release date that doesn't happen until much later
- Production numbers at a target date, which they'll miss
- Typically poor fit and finish
- Tesla fans who adore it, unconditionally

Sometimes I wonder if Tesla announces new vehicles just as a way of getting an influx of desperately-needed cash in the form of deposits, thereby delaying the inevitable tapping of capital markets by a few months.


Vette71Vette71 - 8/6/2018 1:22:58 PM
+5 Boost
I wonder the same thing about the constant barrage of additional vehicles. They'll take cash to get to market, and right now cash is a critical factor. The gross margin isn't covering all these expenses; ergo no profit.


MDarringerMDarringer - 8/6/2018 1:44:24 PM
+4 Boost
I'd have done the Model S, then done a very conventional Model X (that didn't have the parakeet doors and the ungainly proportions of a minivan), a Model C (luxury coupe), and a Model P (pickup) as different hats on the Model S platform.

To jump to an affordable EV before being on solid ground as a company was terrible. The Model S sells acceptably in the luxury/premium segment and I would have maximized my profits by creating additional luxury products.

The Model 3 should have been a crossover not a sedan.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/6/2018 9:46:37 PM
0 Boost
The crossover version is coming... at least I think it will be more of a crossover than SUV, not quite sure. ~March they'll show the Model Y and it will probably start production sometime in 2020. Model 3 could be very profitable, we'll see.


TomMTomM - 8/6/2018 1:41:30 PM
+6 Boost
No one has mentioned it - YET - but they have already SAID that they cannot make a profit from the Base Model 3 at $35,000. How can they profitably make a small car? THey certainly cannot eliminate things from the Dashboard.

But what remains the biggest immediate problem is that if OTHER manufacturers (Other than GM or Nissan) actually make a small car - theirs will have the price advantage of a full $7500 tax break. At small car prices - $7500 is a BIG incentive not to buy a TEsla. What can Tesla offer to make up that difference - they do not have the money to take a loss on the product.


SanJoseDriverSanJoseDriver - 8/7/2018 10:31:43 PM
+1 Boost
"Small" compact car is ~5 years out, costs of batteries and motors will drop by then. If they cut 3-6 inches of width and a foot of length and drop 500 lbs or so, they should be able to get 200+ miles from a 40 kWh battery. They might be able to get the base down to $30k or so, which would be inline with the Audi A3, A-class, ILX, etc.

They could also make a more narrow version of the 3, reuse most of the parts and powertrain, make it a 4 seater and call it a day.


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