Tesla scoffs at Aptera

[3WELECTRIC]

The first few seconds of this video scoffs at the viability of "our" APTERA
R2b9aW1qE9E
Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2b9aW1qE9E)

[Spank Daddy]

They should scoff at this instead:
http://valleywag.com/5063439/tesla-said-to-lay-off-100

[KarenRei]

That would be a disaster if true; they should be scaling up right now, not down.

[Ricky Ray]

Are There any bonified pictures of the re-design effort with top, side, bottom etc? I am wanting to know if they have ditched most everything that they sold to us about the car at this point? I Liked the solor panel keeping fans running at a constant inside temp due to heating up the inside would be bad. Didn't like the bulky display on the dash. So, Why not give us more pictures of the new design and a production start date wouldn't be wrong at this point from Aptera!:aptera:

[Aptera #1159]

The first few seconds of this video scoffs at the viability of "our" APTERA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2b9aW1qE9E
Haha, Tesla and Aptera are not even competing. Different socio-economic groups for each.

[jstdadd]

Scoff? That is like comparing a Hummer to a Harley. Both have their place and their audience, but are radically different in what they attempt to accomplish!

Can you say "Dork?"

[Eyelawdoc]

The comment may not even have been specifically directed toward Aptera. There are a number of other 3 wheel vehicles out there with a decidedly "homebuilt" quality.

[n_dawg]

Yeah, I doubt this is directed at Aptera specifically – their vehicle is certainly not 'imaginary.' Some three-wheeled designs I've seen most certainly are.

If the comment was directed at Aptera, it would certainly be strange to dig Aptera for using computer modeling, and seconds later expound how accurate the computer models were. ;)

[NmGfan]

The speaker in the video was Martin Eberhard, founder of Tesla Motors, no longer with the company since earlier this year (late Spring '08). Elon Musk and his team (the money guys) run the company today as most of the founding tech team started escaping earlier this year, especially after Eberhard was sacked. :(

[Spank Daddy]

That would be a disaster if true; they should be scaling up right now, not down.

Sad but true http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tesla16-2008oct16,0,7948108.story

[NmGfan]

Found this today in the SME Executive Briefing:

Tesla closes R&D center, cuts jobs, citing economic environment.

The AP (10/16) reports that "Tesla Motors Inc. said Wednesday that it will scale back the development of its all-electric Model S sedan until its Department of Energy loan guarantee becomes effective, citing the tough economic environment." The decision "is expected to push back production of the vehicle, set to be unveiled early next year, by about six months to mid-2011, Elon Musk, the electric carmaker's chairman and product architect, said in his company blog."

Tesla also said "that it plans to close a research and development center in Rochester Hills," according the Detroit Free Press (10/15, Snavely). Musk indicated that Tesla "is taking action so it can become cash-flow positive within six to nine months," and said that "there will also be some headcount reduction due to consolidation of operations." Musk announced that "he will take over the CEO role and current CEO Ze'ev Drori will stay as vice chairman."

California's Mercury News (10/16, Nauman, Carey), the San Jose Business Journal (10/16), the Los Angeles Times's (10/15, Bensinger) Up to Speed blog, the New York Times 's (10/15, Miller) Bits blog, and the Christian Science Monitor (10/15) Bright Green blog covered the story.

:(

[speculawyer]

Oil under $75/ barrel has got to hurt.

[jdbgn]

$109000 for the roadster and $60000 for the 4 door? Yep, gonna run right out and get me one of those. Sure hope the lines aren't too long.
Wait, maybe I'll order one from the London office.
Talk about a niche vehicle.
Are these people nuts or am I missing something?

[TheAeronut]

No, it is not a niche market.... There are literally hundreds of people in the US alone who have money to buy these cars.

At least they start building the market for more normally priced vehicles. OK, so maybe I can't buy a Tesla, but I CAN afford an Aptera - besides, it looks WAY COOLER!! :)

J.P.

[gistmarrs]

The Tesla is actually not too bad compared to other electric vehicles. The Ventrui Fetish is rediculous. The Tango is down right unbelievable. The Aptera in comparison is just a great bargain if they can keep it under $30,000.

By the way, I saw Tesla hauling a car back from LA Monday night. They must have been in a car show there.

[Eyelawdoc]

By the way, I saw Tesla hauling a car back from LA Monday night. They must have been in a car show there.

They were giving demos and test drives to interested potential buyers and deposit holders in Hawthorne, CA on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I had an invite, but got called into work all three days.:(




We invite you to join us for our first Los Angeles-based Tesla Motors Road Show. Come see the Tesla Roadster in action on a challenging, closed course which will highlight the phenomenal performance and handling of the Roadster --- and with our new 1.5 drivetrain. In one-hour time slots, we will be handing over the keys to our current reservation holders so they can have an exhilarating turn behind the wheel on this fun closed course. As someone who has expressed interest in the Roadster, we thought you might enjoy the opportunity to see the car in action and perhaps have a “sit in” in between sessions for a close up look. It also provides you an opportunity to meet other Tesla enthusiasts, owners, and Tesla employees. Find the event location and times below.

LOCATION:
Hawthorne Airport
12101 S. Crenshaw Blvd.,
Hawthorne, CA 90250.
Located near the intersection of the 405 and 105 freeways.

EVENT TIMES
Saturday October 18th
10:00AM-3:00PM

Sunday October 19th
10:00AM-3:00PM

Monday October 20th
10:00AM-3:00PM

We hope to see you there. If you are unable to make it to the event, please feel free to come by the Los Angeles Showroom for a comprehensive look at the Roadster.

Regards,

Tesla Store L.A.
Jeremy, Kyrstin, Leila

[hill]

I wanted to give 'em the benefit of the doubt, by thinking he may be talking about the corbin sparrow (now called what, meyers motors?) 3 wheeler ... but since he made reference to an, "imaginary" car, that pretty much limited it down.