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I want an EV. Call me an early adopting sucker, but I’ve been actively considering an electric vehicle with the . But the is way beyond my meager means and the is just too pedestrian for my gearhead tastes. So what’s left? Not much. The Focus Electric makes a strong case for itself, but it’s still a ways out, and while the Tesla Model S certainly has styling, size and geeky sex-appeal on its side, like the Roadster, it’s beyond my budget.
So there’s one option left. And it’s a good one. With rear-wheel drive, a reasonable range and a lease price that – while yet to be set – I’ve been assured should be within reach of a full-time blogger. I’m talking about the -based ActiveE. And if latest app for the iPhone and Android is any indication, the ActiveE could be the perfect fit for me. But what about you?
is happy with its third quarter results, which boast a 10 percent increase in revenue from last quarter’s $28.4 million to $31.2 million, an improved gross margin of 30 percent from 22 percent previously, and a net loss of $34.9 million compared to its second quarter figure of $38.5 million. While an improvement from just a quarter ago, the large net losses this year stem mostly from development costs associated with the upcoming sedan, which is planned for launch in 2012. R&D costs alone shot up from just $1.3 million in last year’s Q3 to $26.7 million this year. According to CEO Elon Musk:
We are very pleased to report steady top-line growth and significant growth in gross margin, driven by the continued improvement in Roadster orders and our growing powertrain business. Roadster orders in this quarter hit a new high since the third quarter of 2008, having increased over 15 percent from last quarter. While some of this is due to seasonal effects associated with selling a convertible during the summer months, we are pleased with the global expansion of the Roadster business and the continued validation of Tesla’s technology leadership position evidenced by our new and expanding strategic relationships.
The Palo Alto, California-based electric carmaker continues to work hard in the fourth quarter. October was a busy month that included the company’s in Fremont, CA and the signing of a $60 million development deal with for the electric version of the . In November, in Tesla stock. With the company’s to develop next-generation battery packs on track, the planned launch of the more affordable Model S in 2012, and the continued growth of incentives being offered by countries around the world for the purchase of electric vehicles, Tesla may just yet prove its doubters wrong.
Do you remember the exact moment when you discovered that you loved the automobile? We’re not so sure we can pin down that exact moment ourselves, but this video shows the precise second that one young man earns his wheels.
A camera fixed on the face of a youngster taking his first ride in a shows that internal combustion isn’t required for the automobile to dig its claws into our hearts. The video starts out slowly enough as the young fella chats it up with who appears to be a family friend or relative, but about 22 seconds in said driver slams the Tesla’s go pedal, producing one of the most genuine expressions of fear and excitement we’ve ever seen.
We knew the Tesla Roadster packed a serious battery-powered punch, but we didn’t know it could make you call out for your mommy. to watch this boy receive the call and reminisce about your own induction to the class of auto fandom in the comments. Hat tip to Robinson!
is recalling some 439 after discovering a redundant 12v auxiliary cable rubbing against a carbon fiber panel on a customer car. The cable, which helps power a variety of auxiliary electrical systems if the primary cable fails, will be inspected and fitted with a protective sleeve. Only 2.0 and 2.5 Roadsters have the cable, so early adopters with 1.5 models aren’t affected by the recall. Full details .
recalling 439 Roadsters over auxiliary cable problems
We’ve been poring over with the SEC and hidden within the indecipherable legalese is a little gem for those of us more interested in product then federal oversight.
As , the reign is set to end in December of 2011, although Tesla will continue to take orders for the current Roadster into 2012 if its supply of “gliders” – the rolling chassis provided by and built on the same platform as the Elise/ – isn’t exhausted.
Tesla has contracted Lotus for a total of 2,400 gliders and if the price is right, it could extend that contract to meet demand.
More importantly, Tesla confirms that the next Roadster won’t arrive until production of the Model S begins in 2012, so a revised Roadster isn’t in the cards until 2013 – at the earliest. Interestingly, the upstart EV automaker says that it intends to build the “next generation Tesla Roadster entirely in our own facilities.” Which leads us to believe that an all-new platform could underpin the next generation model, possibly based on the Model S’ architecture and . How much of the current Roadster carries over remains to be seen, but if Tesla wants to continue to assert its independence, it’s fair to assume that it won’t be sourcing its next chassis from another automaker.
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Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
With the thousands of prizes given away on over the centuries decades, it’s hard to top the things that have come before. But, today, a new record will be set. To mark Earth Day, Drew Carey and company will offer up a on today’s show. According to a short note sent us, “This will be the most expensive prize ever offered on the show. CBS anticipates this to be one of their most exciting episodes ever.” If you miss it on the broadcast, you can watch the show , probably starting tomorrow. Having not seen the show in years, we were honestly blown away by how excited the people who “come on down” still get as they make their way to the stage. Amazing.
UPDATE: Video added . We won’t spoil the outcome for you.
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[Source: Tesla]
on Price is Right is most expensive freebie ever" href="http://theautoblog.ru/earth-day-prizelust-tesla-roadster-on-price-is-right-is-most-expensive-freebie-ever/">Earth Day Prizelust: Tesla Roadster on Price is Right is most expensive freebie ever [UPDATED w/video]
With the thousands of prizes given away on over the centuries decades, it’s hard to top the things that have come before. But, today, a new record will be set. To mark Earth Day, Drew Carey and company will offer up a on today’s show. According to a short note sent us, “This will be the most expensive prize ever offered on the show. CBS anticipates this to be one of their most exciting episodes ever.” If you miss it on the broadcast, you can watch the show , probably starting tomorrow. Having not seen the show in years, we were honestly blown away by how excited the people who “come on down” still get as they make their way to the stage. Amazing.
Registering for an initial public offering, like has done, requires that certain documents are filed regarding company actions. Since first filing for its IPO back in January, Tesla has had a few new developments surface that required the company to amend its S-1 filing.
The S-1 filing lays out details about the company’s financial situation, including future plans, current risks and funding status. In the , two important developments were noted. One, Tesla has begun to draw funds from its $465 million in Department of Energy loan. Two, Tesla has secured all suppliers necessary to continue the production into the 2012 model year. The suppliers’ agreement will provide Tesla with 700 additional Roadsters to sell during the 2012 year, before the production of the next-gen Roadster gets underway.
A stated that the company, “negotiated agreements with key suppliers that will increase total Roadster production by 40 percent and extend sales into 2012.” The actual supplier agreement with Lotus, which builds partially assembled vehicles (gliders) for Tesla, is laid out as follows: will continue to build gliders for Tesla until December of 2011, a change from the previous cut-off of March 2011. Lotus will supply at least 2,400 total gliders to Tesla by December 2011, an increase over the previous 1,700 units committed to by Lotus.
With Roadster production confirmed for 2012 and the Model S on the way soon, Tesla supporters can think about rejoicing, the company might be doing just fine. Hat tip to Dean!
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Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Following the unveiling of the at the Geneva Motor Show last week, has released a large batch of new photos of the one-off electric sports car. The new shots show the car, which was prepared to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Swiss watchmaker, out on the road.
Following the close of the Geneva Motor Show this weekend, the Roadster will be driven the 155 miles to Basel for the big watch show that starts there next week. (At Baselworld, TAG Heuer will unveil a new concept timepiece.) Mechanically, there’s nothing really new about the Roadster Sport, but for those of you that can’t get enough images of the two-tone Roadster, check out our newly-expanded high-res gallery.
For those of you who dream of driving a every day, but perhaps have been a little too scared about the potential hassles of a long-term relationship to pull the trigger, we have some good news for you. has said they’re willing to let you and your Roadster at least live together for a while to see how things work out first. The company just announced a new lease program for commitment-phobes, good on new 2010 Roadster and Roadster Sport models.
According to the full press release you’ll see , the new Tesla Motors Leasing program allows customers to lease a Roadster or for three years on a 30,000 mile contract with monthly payments as low as $1,658 with a down payment. Okay, that might not seem very low, but it is a six-figure exotic sportscar… and think of how much you’ll save on gas every month. If the relationship works out you can make it permanent or go your separate ways if it doesn’t – At the end of the lease, customers can purchase their Roadster or walk away after paying a disposition fee.
The lease terms are spelled out in detail in the presser and on the company’s website, but the sample lease in the release is for a Roadster with an MSRP of $111,005 and requires $12,453 up front, with 36 payments of $1,658 plus tax. Lessees get the same Tesla Ranger service as owners, where a mobile service tech will come to you for a buck for each mile they have to travel to and from the closest service center. If you’re interested, you can get in touch with your closest Tesla dealer, or call 650-413-6300 for more information.
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Photos by / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc. [Source: Tesla Motors]
We’ve been fortunate enough to drive a number of different models now, including a that was just published. Owners of high performance sportscars like the Roadster sometimes like to take their rides to the track for some of the kind of fun you can’t really have when you are constantly on the lookout for hidden constables. While we haven’t had the chance to track a Tesla, one of the favorite cars for such activities is the .
Motor Trend magazine’s Kim Reynolds and Arthur St. Antoine took the latest edition of the Boxster, the new Spyder to Willow Springs along with a 2010 Roadster Sport. It makes for very interesting comparison since the is the most minimalist version of the Porsche and the Tesla has a slightly more upscale interior than its Lotus Elise progenitor.
At nearly twice the price of the German, the Tesla offers tremendous performance but requires more effort to learn its limits in part because of the reduced feedback it offers. Nevertheless, St. Antoine in particular was surprised at how well Tesla’s “science experiment” works. When considered purely from a bang-for-the-buck perspective, the Roadster makes no sense compared to the Porsche, but to be fair, on-track performance has never been the Tesla’s raison d’etre anyhow. .
The new Chevy Aveo takes all the right cues from its conceptual predecessor, and with a thoroughly revised interior, it’s finally ready to compete with the Ford Fiesta.
Lexus’ new Euro-only hybrid hatch hits the interwebs early, with a refined look and an ultra-efficient powerplant.
After finally getting myself situated in the back of the Boeing, I notice the lady to my left wearing a fleece. As fate, the alignment of the stars and unbridled dumb luck would have it, I was seated next to Rachel Conrad, Tesla’s Senior Manager of Communications… for the next 10 hours.
After exchanging pleasantries, discussing each other’s plans for the Frankfurt Motor Show and getting acquainted, the topic of conversation naturally turned to cars, and the Tesla Roadster, in particular.
“It’s not just about performance,” an overly animated Conrad told me. “What journalists don’t understand is how functional it is. Owners forget to clean their windshield because they never have to go to the gas station!”
Okay, sure. But if you’re selling a vehicle that starts at $109,000, you’re interested in more than avoiding dirty hands at the pump. You want the full sports car monty. Power, poise, engagement, the lot. And a bit of green cred to boot surely doesn’t hurt.
So after several hours of discussion, I finally say, “Hand it over to us for a week. We’ll give it a proper review on its day-to-day livability. No track tests. No slalom speeds. No smoky burnouts. Just a comprehensive assessment of functionality.”
A handful of phone calls and dozens of emails later, I arrive at Tesla’s flagship dealership in Menlo Park, CA to pick up a full-kitted 2010 . After a tutorial on the charging procedure, the internal computer and signing my life away, I was off. The Roadster was mine for the next five days, so I promptly pulled off into a bus stop, set a destination for the coast, disabled the traction control and laid a set of elevens down the street from the dealership.
Ladies and gentlemen, it pays to fly coach. to keep reading…
