The Tesla Roadster Sport is just the start of the company's product plans. This model arrived Tuesday afternoon in Detroit driven by a local Tesla customer. Chairman Elon Musk was in town to accept an award as auto executive of the year.
Yes, there will be more cars from Tesla. And different kinds, too.
Tesla chairman Elon Musk reiterated his company's ambitious plans for growth on Tuesday afternoon in Detroit, and the Roadster is just the beginning.
The Model S is due in 2012, and Musk says the company is narrowly focused on getting that sedan to the market on time. The car will start for less than half the price of the Roadster and is expected to sticker for about $50,000, including a federal tax credit.
About the same time the four-door arrives, the first generation of the Roadster will cease production after the 2012. A year or two later, a successor will launch, Musk said.
More Tesla products are expected to follow, including a crossover. Look for new arrivals of vehicles in 2013 and 2014, “which is a rapid pace,” Musk said
Four-wheel drive will also be a characteristic of future Teslas, he said. The Model S will have a range of 300 miles, five-star safety ratings and the ability to swap out the battery in a minute. It will also feature an advanced 17-inch touch screen in the interior, and a large amount of storage space, Musk said.
Affordability is expected to increase with each new product, and by the time the third one arrives, it's expected to be attainable for mainstream customers, in contrast to the expensive, performance-oriented Roadster. About 1,200 units of the two-door are on the road today in almost 25 countries.
Musk was in town to accept the automotive executive of the year award at the Detroit Athletic Club, a stone landmark where car execs have met for decades to wheel and deal. On a bright blue day with the General Motors tower gleaming in the background, the 38-year-old native of South Africa said the transition to electric cars was the most significant development for automaking since Henry Ford introduced mass production on the assembly line.
“It's the biggest change in the car business since the moving production line,” Musk said
Interestingly, he said he expects Tesla's most significant impact to be supplying its fresh technology to other companies, rather than through its own products. Tesla has a deal with German giant Daimler and will supply batteries and chargers for the next electric Smart car. Tesla also will supply electric technology for the Mercedes A-class, which is sold in Europe.
Daimler owns about eight percent of Tesla. The California company also has a deal with commercial-vehicle maker Freightliner.
“The smallest effect Tesla will make will be the cars we make ourselves,” Musk said. “The biggest effect will be the cars they [other companies] make.”
Real people really drive Teslas
As Musk was answering questions from the press--as if on cue--a Detroit-area Tesla customer drove up in a shiny black Tesla Roadster Sport. Brian West, who owns a company involved with the MyFord Touch technology, says he uses the Tesla as his daily driver. He's had it for a few months and recharges at work.
Clad in a blue pinstriped suit, West said he doesn't take a very businesslike approach to driving his Tesla.
“It's hard to drive conservatively . . . every time you get into it, you want to go,” he said.
He celebrated Earth Day by blitzing around southeast Michigan, making stops in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Flint. When he ran low on juice, he recharged at an entertainment complex between a giant squirrel and the put-put course.
Tesla chairman Elon Musk reiterated his company's ambitious plans for growth on Tuesday afternoon in Detroit, and the Roadster is just the beginning.
The Model S is due in 2012, and Musk says the company is narrowly focused on getting that sedan to the market on time. The car will start for less than half the price of the Roadster and is expected to sticker for about $50,000, including a federal tax credit.
About the same time the four-door arrives, the first generation of the Roadster will cease production after the 2012. A year or two later, a successor will launch, Musk said.
More Tesla products are expected to follow, including a crossover. Look for new arrivals of vehicles in 2013 and 2014, “which is a rapid pace,” Musk said
Four-wheel drive will also be a characteristic of future Teslas, he said. The Model S will have a range of 300 miles, five-star safety ratings and the ability to swap out the battery in a minute. It will also feature an advanced 17-inch touch screen in the interior, and a large amount of storage space, Musk said.
Affordability is expected to increase with each new product, and by the time the third one arrives, it's expected to be attainable for mainstream customers, in contrast to the expensive, performance-oriented Roadster. About 1,200 units of the two-door are on the road today in almost 25 countries.
Musk was in town to accept the automotive executive of the year award at the Detroit Athletic Club, a stone landmark where car execs have met for decades to wheel and deal. On a bright blue day with the General Motors tower gleaming in the background, the 38-year-old native of South Africa said the transition to electric cars was the most significant development for automaking since Henry Ford introduced mass production on the assembly line.
“It's the biggest change in the car business since the moving production line,” Musk said
 | Look for the Tesla Roadster to be produced into 2012. A second generation will follow a year or two later. |
Daimler owns about eight percent of Tesla. The California company also has a deal with commercial-vehicle maker Freightliner.
“The smallest effect Tesla will make will be the cars we make ourselves,” Musk said. “The biggest effect will be the cars they [other companies] make.”
Real people really drive Teslas
As Musk was answering questions from the press--as if on cue--a Detroit-area Tesla customer drove up in a shiny black Tesla Roadster Sport. Brian West, who owns a company involved with the MyFord Touch technology, says he uses the Tesla as his daily driver. He's had it for a few months and recharges at work.
Clad in a blue pinstriped suit, West said he doesn't take a very businesslike approach to driving his Tesla.
“It's hard to drive conservatively . . . every time you get into it, you want to go,” he said.
He celebrated Earth Day by blitzing around southeast Michigan, making stops in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Flint. When he ran low on juice, he recharged at an entertainment complex between a giant squirrel and the put-put course.
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