Tesla has been hyping up the prospect of an electric pickup truck for a long time (you're looking at an artist's rendering above), but when can you expect to see it? You might have a clearer idea. As part of a call for feedback, Elon Musk has promised that the pickup will be made "right after" the Model Y crossover arrives between 2019 and 2020. We'd take that commitment with a grain of salt (remember how Tesla expected widescale Model 3 deliveries to start in 2017?), but it at least gives you an idea of what the EV maker is shooting for.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/26/elon-musk-promises-to-make-tesla-pickup-truck-after-model-y/
(Score: 1) by bobmorning on Thursday December 28 2017, @05:01AM (16 children)
I love his SpaceX but Tesla is just a big fricking hole that is eating up billions and he is losing more money than a sailor on shore leave.
I have shorted the stock via put options and have my asses handed to me each time. WTF.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Thursday December 28 2017, @05:29AM (8 children)
Probably soon.
Time to Bash Tesla Model 3 [soylentnews.org]
Tesla Fires Hundreds of Employees [soylentnews.org]
Tesla Burns More Cash, Fails to Meet Production Targets [soylentnews.org]
Tesla Sued Over Alleged Racism; Deliveries Pushed Back; Semi Truck to be Unveiled [soylentnews.org]
Tesla's make-or-break year? 2018 will test Elon Musk [usatoday.com]
Analyst slashes Tesla Model 3 fourth quarter forecast by nearly 70% [cnbc.com]
SpaceX offers launches cheaper than what its competitors offer, and markets them to corporations and governments (maybe universities too if reusability helps launch costs decline). Tesla offers cars more expensive than what its competitors offer, and markets them mainly to consumers (Tesla Semi is a sideshow for now). But it hasn't met production and sales targets. No amount of cool factor can save Tesla if people don't want to buy its expensive cars. A self-driving fleet (sell cars to Google instead of Joe Electron) or giga battery schemes are alternatives, but might not be very profitable ones. Or they won't come soon enough.
It's too bad that your short(s) didn't work when they have this guy [fortune.com] in charge.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 28 2017, @10:23PM (7 children)
You say they're overpriced. Can you show me an all-electric AWD, cheaper than Model 3 pre-orders (which are currently around $40k in the AWD model)?
I'm not asking rhetorically. I'm looking to buy an electric AWD and can't find a better choice. You speak as if you know examples.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday December 28 2017, @10:41PM (6 children)
Just because they are the only one who sells it doesn't mean it's not overpriced. Do you need all wheel drive?
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1113670_which-maker-will-sell-the-first-affordable-awd-electric-suv-take-our-twitter-poll [greencarreports.com]
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1113798_who-will-sell-the-first-affordable-awd-electric-suv-poll-results [greencarreports.com]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 29 2017, @02:46AM
I need awd because the person controlling the purchase has it on their must have checklist, and I can't get out of that. 4wd would suffice.
So, yes, awd or the veto kicks in. And the veto-er prefers an internal combustion awd right now.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 29 2017, @02:49AM (4 children)
PS - your links are for a lack of an SUV with AWD. AWD is becoming more and more common in cars.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Friday December 29 2017, @03:01AM (3 children)
I didn't see any other electric cars with AWD.
Certainly Tesla is not on some pedestal, but is competing against gasoline cars and electric cars with FWD. Looks like you will have to go with gasoline. Maybe a hybrid?
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 29 2017, @03:50AM (2 children)
Maybe a hybrid - but those are a hard sell too. And I really don't want an SUV.
I don't suppose this is an area of expertise, that there might be a safety-prioritized hybrid AWD that you personally think is worth investigating?
(Score: 2) by takyon on Friday December 29 2017, @04:18AM (1 child)
I don't know.
https://www.google.com/search?q=list+of+all+all+wheel+drive+hybrid+cars [google.com]
Ford Fusion Hybrid is listed there but is actually front wheel drive.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has an all wheel drive variant, but it's an SUV.
Buick LaCrosse maybe? https://blog.caranddriver.com/eassist-returns-2018-buick-lacrosse-hybrid-raises-mpgs-lowers-the-price/ [caranddriver.com]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 30 2017, @06:37AM
Huh, I had never seen the LaCrosse before. Thanks!
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 28 2017, @05:30AM
Just like buttcoins, you don't know when the crash will come. If you're betting on the misfortunes of a company, you better have staying power. Because even if you have perfect insight to why X is a bad business, it can take a while until the thundering herds of other investors turn around.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 28 2017, @01:36PM
Wait a minute, I thought we all wanted electric everything because it's going to save the world. What's with all the bashing? Get out there and buy his overpriced electric toys, and tell all your friends and neighbors to do the same.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 28 2017, @05:38PM (3 children)
The really critical thing Elon Musk and Tesla Motors has done is kickstart electric car investment in the other automakers. I won't be too upset if Tesla folds. I can buy a Chevrolet with four seats and a 200 mile battery range (the Bolt), or another Chevrolet with a 40 mile battery range and an onboard gasoline power generator to extend it (the Volt), and the next generation of the battery-powered Nissan Leaf is rumored to have a 150 mile range. Ford has the Focus Electric, BMW has the i3, Volvo has announced that every model they sell will be either hybrid or all-electric within five years.
In terms of investments, I don't understand the modern American stock market at all. The conservatives state that they have to cut corporate taxes to promote growth. As far as I understand it corporate profits and the value of most big stocks are at the highest they have ever been. Wouldn't that mean all possible job-creation and economic growth would already be happening? And doesn't it hint that we're in another market bubble? I have three quarters of my pathetically small retirement savings in cash equivalents in anticipation of another recession or worse. Maybe I'll just be kicking myself for stupidity in twenty years.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 28 2017, @07:09PM (2 children)
> I have three quarters of my pathetically small retirement savings in cash equivalents in anticipation of another recession or worse. Maybe I'll just be kicking myself for stupidity in twenty years.
Well, you are not alone, I've done essentially the same thing with my retirement funds. Where do you want to meet up in 20 years, to trade notes?
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday December 28 2017, @07:16PM
Out by one of the dumpsters in Portland?
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by GreatAuntAnesthesia on Thursday December 28 2017, @08:29PM
The two of you might be proved right: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/23/complacent-regulators-have-two-years-to-prevent-financial-crash [theguardian.com]
(Score: 3, Insightful) by GreatAuntAnesthesia on Thursday December 28 2017, @08:22PM
How many asses do you have?