Tesla News
10-15-14, 07:57 AM
#46
I have become much more interested since AWD has been added.
I test drove a P85 yesterday and was impressed.
The regen braking is something to get used to as is the regen system kicking in once you release the gas (need a new term here , maybe energy) pedal.
The P85 has sweet power delivery and gobs of power in general. Steering was way better than expected and the car stays nice and flat in the turns.
The interior as is often mentioned is a bit less than expected for the class. One odd thing is no roof mounted grab handles (musk rejected them for the look).
The car I drove had that panorama roof which was sweet. It also had a nice alcantara dash cover. This feature illustrates some of the innovative but strange nature of Tesla. That dash cover was offered for a short time and then eliminated.
The P85D is my target and I just have to do my internal debating.
Got to love the tax incentives $7500 federal and $4000 in IL. You can even get plate costs reduced from over $100 a year to $18 if you can live with a plate that ends in EL.
I test drove a P85 yesterday and was impressed.
The regen braking is something to get used to as is the regen system kicking in once you release the gas (need a new term here , maybe energy) pedal.
The P85 has sweet power delivery and gobs of power in general. Steering was way better than expected and the car stays nice and flat in the turns.
The interior as is often mentioned is a bit less than expected for the class. One odd thing is no roof mounted grab handles (musk rejected them for the look).
The car I drove had that panorama roof which was sweet. It also had a nice alcantara dash cover. This feature illustrates some of the innovative but strange nature of Tesla. That dash cover was offered for a short time and then eliminated.
The P85D is my target and I just have to do my internal debating.
Got to love the tax incentives $7500 federal and $4000 in IL. You can even get plate costs reduced from over $100 a year to $18 if you can live with a plate that ends in EL.
10-15-14, 09:26 AM
#47
I have become much more interested since AWD has been added.
I test drove a P85 yesterday and was impressed.
The regen braking is something to get used to as is the regen system kicking in once you release the accelerator (need a new term here , maybe energy) pedal.
The P85 has sweet power delivery and gobs of power in general. Steering was way better than expected and the car stays nice and flat in the turns.
The interior as is often mentioned is a bit less than expected for the class. One odd thing is no roof mounted grab handles (musk rejected them for the look).
The car I drove had that panorama roof which was sweet. It also had a nice alcantara dash cover. This feature illustrates some of the innovative but strange nature of Tesla. That dash cover was offered for a short time and then eliminated.
The P85D is my target and I just have to do my internal debating.
Got to love the tax incentives $7500 federal and $4000 in IL. You can even get plate costs reduced from over $100 a year to $18 if you can live with a plate that ends in EL.
I test drove a P85 yesterday and was impressed.
The regen braking is something to get used to as is the regen system kicking in once you release the accelerator (need a new term here , maybe energy) pedal.
The P85 has sweet power delivery and gobs of power in general. Steering was way better than expected and the car stays nice and flat in the turns.
The interior as is often mentioned is a bit less than expected for the class. One odd thing is no roof mounted grab handles (musk rejected them for the look).
The car I drove had that panorama roof which was sweet. It also had a nice alcantara dash cover. This feature illustrates some of the innovative but strange nature of Tesla. That dash cover was offered for a short time and then eliminated.
The P85D is my target and I just have to do my internal debating.
Got to love the tax incentives $7500 federal and $4000 in IL. You can even get plate costs reduced from over $100 a year to $18 if you can live with a plate that ends in EL.
10-16-14, 06:08 PM
#50
Elon Musk hints at need for franchised Tesla dealerships
The auto dealers around the US, the ones who are frantically trying to stop Tesla Motors from selling its cars directly to consumers, might just need to wait things out. The latest state to take an aggressive stance against Telsa's dealer-free policy is Michigan, but in an new interview with Autoline Daily, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that as the company grows, it may need to introduce franchised dealerships into its sales model.
Currently, Tesla only sells vehicles directly to customers through a network of Tesla Stores. But that may not be enough once more vehicles – the Model X and the Model 3 – arrive and demand for the electric vehicles grows in all fifty states. According to Autoline Daily host John McElroy, when he asked Musk about future growth, Musk admitted that, "We may need a hybrid system, with a combination of our own stores and some dealer franchises." That's a big turn around from Musk's previous claims that normal dealerships can't properly sell electric vehicles and that, if necessary, Tesla would try to change the laws nationwide to allow direct sales, a strategy that has had its share of successes, including surprising support from the FTC. Still, selling a few thousand vehicles a month is a lot different than selling tens of thousands, and that's the sort of thing that Tesla's legislative director Jim Chen may have been thinking about when, in a closed-door regulatory meeting in the fall of 2013, he reportedly said that Tesla would stop its factory-direct-only policy once sales increased to some unspecified level, according to Hybrid Cars.
Currently, Tesla only sells vehicles directly to customers through a network of Tesla Stores. But that may not be enough once more vehicles – the Model X and the Model 3 – arrive and demand for the electric vehicles grows in all fifty states. According to Autoline Daily host John McElroy, when he asked Musk about future growth, Musk admitted that, "We may need a hybrid system, with a combination of our own stores and some dealer franchises." That's a big turn around from Musk's previous claims that normal dealerships can't properly sell electric vehicles and that, if necessary, Tesla would try to change the laws nationwide to allow direct sales, a strategy that has had its share of successes, including surprising support from the FTC. Still, selling a few thousand vehicles a month is a lot different than selling tens of thousands, and that's the sort of thing that Tesla's legislative director Jim Chen may have been thinking about when, in a closed-door regulatory meeting in the fall of 2013, he reportedly said that Tesla would stop its factory-direct-only policy once sales increased to some unspecified level, according to Hybrid Cars.
10-17-14, 05:20 PM
#51
Tesla pushes hard against Michigan's anti-direct vehicle sales bills
A Raw Deal in Michigan
By The Tesla Motors Team
October 16, 2014
On October 1, the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association succeeded in passing a bill that is harmful to consumers. The bill, HB5606, was originally a single amendment to existing law designed to ensure that the car dealers can tack additional fees on to the purchase price for all vehicles (from any manufacturer) sold in Michigan. Such fees have a controversial history, are generally regarded with skepticism and have been the subject of consumer concern in other states.
Not content with enshrining their ability to charge consumers dubious fees, on the last day of the legislative session, the dealers managed to make a last-minute change to the bill in an attempt to cement their broader retail monopoly. Using a procedure that prevented legislators and the public at large from knowing what was happening or allowing debate, Senator Joe Hune added new language in an attempt to lock Tesla out of the State. Unsurprisingly, Senator Hune counts the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association as one of his top financial contributors, and his wife's firm lobbies for the dealers.
By striking a single, but critical, word from MCLA 445.1574(14)(1)(i), the law governing franchise relations in Michigan, the dealers seek to force Tesla, a company that has never had a franchise dealership, into a body of law solely intended to govern the relationship between a manufacturer and its associated dealers. In so doing, they create an effective prohibition against Tesla opening a store in Michigan.
This amendment goes even further. It also seeks to prevent Tesla from operating a gallery in Michigan that simply provides information without conducting sales. We could even be barred from telling people about our car.
This anti-competitive behavior mirrors similar tactics in New Jersey and Missouri, where dealers have resorted to backroom political maneuvers to shore up their monopolies. The dark-of-night tactics highlight the dealers' concerns that their arguments don't stand up well to public scrutiny.
Indeed, no consumer unaffiliated with dealers would ever want this. Officials at the Federal Trade Commission have spoken out about the potentially harmful consequences of the dealers' anti-competitive behavior, saying "competition ultimately provides the best protections for consumers." Leading economists have also weighed in, saying dealer monopolies come "at the expense of consumers and innovative technologies." And in September, in considering a similar body of law, the Massachusetts Supreme Court handed down a ruling that made it clear that such laws were not intended to exclude a manufacturer without franchise dealerships from selling to consumers directly.
While the car dealers' anti-consumer bill has made it through the legislature, it has yet to be signed into law. The bill is now on Governor Rick Snyder's desk. We are calling on concerned consumers to contact the Governor and urge him to veto this legislation and return the issue to the legislature for a full and open debate in 2015.
Please make your voice heard.
Other ways to contact Gov. Snyder:
Phone: 517-373-3400
Address: 234 West Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855
Mail: P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909
By The Tesla Motors Team
October 16, 2014
On October 1, the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association succeeded in passing a bill that is harmful to consumers. The bill, HB5606, was originally a single amendment to existing law designed to ensure that the car dealers can tack additional fees on to the purchase price for all vehicles (from any manufacturer) sold in Michigan. Such fees have a controversial history, are generally regarded with skepticism and have been the subject of consumer concern in other states.
Not content with enshrining their ability to charge consumers dubious fees, on the last day of the legislative session, the dealers managed to make a last-minute change to the bill in an attempt to cement their broader retail monopoly. Using a procedure that prevented legislators and the public at large from knowing what was happening or allowing debate, Senator Joe Hune added new language in an attempt to lock Tesla out of the State. Unsurprisingly, Senator Hune counts the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association as one of his top financial contributors, and his wife's firm lobbies for the dealers.
By striking a single, but critical, word from MCLA 445.1574(14)(1)(i), the law governing franchise relations in Michigan, the dealers seek to force Tesla, a company that has never had a franchise dealership, into a body of law solely intended to govern the relationship between a manufacturer and its associated dealers. In so doing, they create an effective prohibition against Tesla opening a store in Michigan.
This amendment goes even further. It also seeks to prevent Tesla from operating a gallery in Michigan that simply provides information without conducting sales. We could even be barred from telling people about our car.
This anti-competitive behavior mirrors similar tactics in New Jersey and Missouri, where dealers have resorted to backroom political maneuvers to shore up their monopolies. The dark-of-night tactics highlight the dealers' concerns that their arguments don't stand up well to public scrutiny.
Indeed, no consumer unaffiliated with dealers would ever want this. Officials at the Federal Trade Commission have spoken out about the potentially harmful consequences of the dealers' anti-competitive behavior, saying "competition ultimately provides the best protections for consumers." Leading economists have also weighed in, saying dealer monopolies come "at the expense of consumers and innovative technologies." And in September, in considering a similar body of law, the Massachusetts Supreme Court handed down a ruling that made it clear that such laws were not intended to exclude a manufacturer without franchise dealerships from selling to consumers directly.
While the car dealers' anti-consumer bill has made it through the legislature, it has yet to be signed into law. The bill is now on Governor Rick Snyder's desk. We are calling on concerned consumers to contact the Governor and urge him to veto this legislation and return the issue to the legislature for a full and open debate in 2015.
Please make your voice heard.
Other ways to contact Gov. Snyder:
Phone: 517-373-3400
Address: 234 West Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855
Mail: P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909
10-17-14, 05:21 PM
#52
Recent Tesla Model S buyers frustrated over new features
Tesla wowed the motoring world when it recently unveiled the all-wheel drive, dual-motor D version that added power and range to the already well-regarded Model S. At the same time, the company showed off a new suite of safe-driving tech like a forward-looking camera, radar and ultrasonic sensors to come standard on all models. While the new features might attract some new buyers into the fold, for a few current owners the upgrades aren't coming as a pleasant surprise at all. Some of them are rallying for Tesla to fix things somehow.
These disgruntled owners aren't upset about what any of the new features actually do; in fact, they love them. The issue is Tesla's secrecy before the reveal. A few of these folks bought their cars just a few months ago, some even in September, according to The San Jose Mercury News. If the upgrades had been publicized earlier, then they would have waited to order versions with the latest and greatest tech.
Some of them are already on the web lodging their complaints. According to The San Jose Mercury News, the website Change.org has competing petitions asking Tesla to find a way to retrofit the features, which the company says isn't possible, and another requesting the automaker to ignore the complainers.
Among traditional automakers there are usually several months between a new model's announcement, and it actually going on sale. In Tesla's case, the first official teaser before the launch of the D came about a week before the reveal and hinted at something else at the time, which became the A
These disgruntled owners aren't upset about what any of the new features actually do; in fact, they love them. The issue is Tesla's secrecy before the reveal. A few of these folks bought their cars just a few months ago, some even in September, according to The San Jose Mercury News. If the upgrades had been publicized earlier, then they would have waited to order versions with the latest and greatest tech.
Some of them are already on the web lodging their complaints. According to The San Jose Mercury News, the website Change.org has competing petitions asking Tesla to find a way to retrofit the features, which the company says isn't possible, and another requesting the automaker to ignore the complainers.
Among traditional automakers there are usually several months between a new model's announcement, and it actually going on sale. In Tesla's case, the first official teaser before the launch of the D came about a week before the reveal and hinted at something else at the time, which became the A
10-21-14, 02:48 PM
#53
Michigan Gov. signs 'anti-Tesla' bill, but says rules could change
[QUOTE[Gov. Rick Snyder signs bipartisan bill clarifying existing direct auto sales law
Calls for healthy, open discussion on potential changes to business model; also signs one other bill into law
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today signed bipartisan legislation that clarifies and strengthens an existing law about direct auto sales in Michigan.
House Bill 5606, sponsored by state Rep. Aric Nesbitt, also prohibits auto manufacturers from dictating fees franchised dealers can charge customers. The legislation allows individual auto dealers to make the business decision whether to charge the transaction fee.
The bill was approved by 38-0 in the state Senate, and 106-1 in the state House of Representatives.
Snyder said Tuesday there has been a misunderstanding about the legislation.
"This bill does not, as some have claimed, prevent auto manufacturers from selling automobiles directly to consumers at retail in Michigan – because this is already prohibited under Michigan law," Snyder said in a letter to lawmakers that accompanies the signed bill.
Language in the bill states plainly that a manufacturer can only sell new vehicles to consumers through its own network of franchised dealers. HB 5606 deletes the word "its" from a sentence in existing law.
This change would merely allow manufacturers who do not have their own franchised dealers to sell through another manufacturer's network of franchised dealers. They will be required, just as they are now, to sell through a franchised dealer, and not directly to consumers. HB 5606 does nothing to change this fact. At most, it clarifies the existing requirement in Michigan law.
Snyder requested Attorney General Bill Schuette analyze the effect of the bill, and the Attorney General's Office also concluded that auto manufacturers could sell only through franchised dealers, as is the case in existing law.
Snyder said lawmakers can and should discuss the current business model soon to determine if it is best for the state's consumers.
"We should always be willing to re-examine our business and regulatory practices with an eye toward improving the customer experience for our citizens and doing things in a more efficient and less costly fashion," he said.
The bill is now Public Act 354 of 2014.
The governor also signed HB 5273, sponsored by state Rep. Nancy Jenkins which connects small businesses with funding opportunities by creating Michigan Investment Markets, which operate as intrastate broker-dealers. The law connects Michigan businesses and residents, allowing for stock in local businesses to be bought, sold and traded.
The legislation is an extension of the crowdfunding measure enacted in 2013, allowing companies to use crowdfunding to raise money for their business. It is now PA 355.[/QUOTE]
http://green.autoblog.com/2014/10/21...ti-tesla-bill/
10-22-14, 05:34 AM
#54
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
more idiocy... let car makers sell direct! 
10-23-14, 10:24 PM
#57
Daimler divests remaining interest in Tesla
Daimler restructures cooperation with Tesla
Stuttgart, Germany, Oct 21, 2014
- Termination of share-price hedging and sale of 4% stake in Tesla
- Ongoing cooperation on current projects
- Daimler to continue sourcing powertrain for Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive from Tesla
- Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "Our partnership with Tesla is very successful and will be continued."
Daimler AG (stock exchange symbol: DAI) has reorganized its cooperation with Tesla Motors Inc. In this context, Daimler has terminated the share-price hedge it initiated in 2013 and has sold its stake in Tesla of approximately 4%. The cooperation between the partners on the automotive projects is unaffected. Development work for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is completed, the partnership with Tesla remains in place.
"We pursue our strategy for emission-free driving consequently. Electric vehicles are one component of this roadmap. In Tesla we do have a bold partner. Together we launched the B-class Electric Drive successfully in the United States this summer. In November, the B-Class Electric Drive will be launched in Europe as well. We are convinced that this powerful electric vehicle for every day use will appeal to a lot of customers," stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Furthermore, the batteries for the first generation of the smart fortwo electric drive had been from Tesla. The two-seater with electric drive is one of the best-selling electric cars in Germany. "Our partnership with Tesla is very successful and will be continued", added Zetsche.
Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Finance & Controlling and Financial Services: "We are extremely satisfied with the development of our investment in Tesla, but it is not necessary for our partnership and cooperation. For this reason, we have decided to divest of our shares. This will also allow Tesla to broaden its investor base."
The sale of Daimler's stake in Tesla will result in a cash inflow of around$780 million, which will be used to strengthen Daimler's operational business. The impact on EBIT for the year 2014 is approximately in the same amount.
"We have supported Tesla as a startup company for many years and have learned a lot from Tesla. At the same time, Tesla was able to profit from our automotive expertise. The cooperation with Tesla is one component of our activities in the field of electric mobility. It optimally complements our involvement in Deutsche ACCUmotive," explained Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
Daimler has the industry's biggest portfolio of electric vehicles, from cars and vans to buses and light trucks: smart electric drive, Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL, B-Class Electric Drive, B-Class F-CELL, SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive, Vito E-CELL, Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL-Hybrid, Fuso Canter E-CELL and Freightliner Custom Chassis MT E-CELL All-Electric. Systematic hybridization is also a fixed element of Daimler's powertrain strategy. In 2014, Mercedes-Benz sold more automobiles with hybrid drive than all other German manufacturers combined. The focus will continue to be on plug-in hybrids in the coming years. By the year 2017, Mercedes-Benz Cars will launch ten new plug-in hybrid models in all market segments.
Daimler initially acquired a 9.1% interest in Tesla in May 2009. 40% of that investment was transferred to Aabar Investments PJSC in the context of a joint strategic project in July 2009. Tesla has been listed on the stock exchange since the end of June 2010. As a result of capital increases at Tesla, Daimler's stake in the company decreased to around 4%, without affecting the two companies' strategic cooperation or joint development projects.
Stuttgart, Germany, Oct 21, 2014
- Termination of share-price hedging and sale of 4% stake in Tesla
- Ongoing cooperation on current projects
- Daimler to continue sourcing powertrain for Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive from Tesla
- Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "Our partnership with Tesla is very successful and will be continued."
Daimler AG (stock exchange symbol: DAI) has reorganized its cooperation with Tesla Motors Inc. In this context, Daimler has terminated the share-price hedge it initiated in 2013 and has sold its stake in Tesla of approximately 4%. The cooperation between the partners on the automotive projects is unaffected. Development work for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is completed, the partnership with Tesla remains in place.
"We pursue our strategy for emission-free driving consequently. Electric vehicles are one component of this roadmap. In Tesla we do have a bold partner. Together we launched the B-class Electric Drive successfully in the United States this summer. In November, the B-Class Electric Drive will be launched in Europe as well. We are convinced that this powerful electric vehicle for every day use will appeal to a lot of customers," stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Furthermore, the batteries for the first generation of the smart fortwo electric drive had been from Tesla. The two-seater with electric drive is one of the best-selling electric cars in Germany. "Our partnership with Tesla is very successful and will be continued", added Zetsche.
Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Finance & Controlling and Financial Services: "We are extremely satisfied with the development of our investment in Tesla, but it is not necessary for our partnership and cooperation. For this reason, we have decided to divest of our shares. This will also allow Tesla to broaden its investor base."
The sale of Daimler's stake in Tesla will result in a cash inflow of around$780 million, which will be used to strengthen Daimler's operational business. The impact on EBIT for the year 2014 is approximately in the same amount.
"We have supported Tesla as a startup company for many years and have learned a lot from Tesla. At the same time, Tesla was able to profit from our automotive expertise. The cooperation with Tesla is one component of our activities in the field of electric mobility. It optimally complements our involvement in Deutsche ACCUmotive," explained Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
Daimler has the industry's biggest portfolio of electric vehicles, from cars and vans to buses and light trucks: smart electric drive, Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL, B-Class Electric Drive, B-Class F-CELL, SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive, Vito E-CELL, Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL-Hybrid, Fuso Canter E-CELL and Freightliner Custom Chassis MT E-CELL All-Electric. Systematic hybridization is also a fixed element of Daimler's powertrain strategy. In 2014, Mercedes-Benz sold more automobiles with hybrid drive than all other German manufacturers combined. The focus will continue to be on plug-in hybrids in the coming years. By the year 2017, Mercedes-Benz Cars will launch ten new plug-in hybrid models in all market segments.
Daimler initially acquired a 9.1% interest in Tesla in May 2009. 40% of that investment was transferred to Aabar Investments PJSC in the context of a joint strategic project in July 2009. Tesla has been listed on the stock exchange since the end of June 2010. As a result of capital increases at Tesla, Daimler's stake in the company decreased to around 4%, without affecting the two companies' strategic cooperation or joint development projects.
10-24-14, 09:47 AM
#58
You can switch from standard regen, which you noticed is quite aggressive, to low, which lets the car "coast" fairly well, almost like a normal car.
Last edited by pbm317; 10-24-14 at 09:53 AM.
