Autoshow video of Tesla Model S - $49K - and Fisker Karma news - Should Mercedes be scared ?

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Rybold, May 30, 2010.

  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Autoshow video of Tesla Model S, walking around the car - SLICK LOOKING!!! $40K to $60K, depending on options and battery size.

    (article that accompanies the video TFLcar.com: Video: Unveiled and exposed the all-electric Tesla Model S gets futuristic Jetsons gee whiz dashboard)

    Fisker Karma Plug-In Hybrid:
    (news on recent funding that is going to have the Karma
    rolling off of the factory production line before the end of 2010)
    TFLcar.com: Fisker raises more money: says it will produce first plug-in hybrid electric car by end of the year

    Should Mercedes be scared ??? (I'm not talking 2011 - I'm talking "down the road," as in 2015-ish)
    (the competition: you can buy a SLICK-LOOKING EV or PHV, or you can buy a death-to-the-planet, oil-spill-loving gas guzzler from Mercedes - FYI: the current GL550 gets 12mpg city)
     
    #1 Rybold, May 30, 2010
  2. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    nice car, nice range, but a bit pricey to make a real impact. but it still puts the technology out there. this paves the way for a consumer oriented car which i hope Nissan and Mitsubishi will well on their way early next year
     
    #2 DaveinOlyWA, May 30, 2010
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    #3 bwilson4web, May 30, 2010
  4. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    Yes, but of very high oil prices, not Tesla. It will long past 2015 before any auto company has to worry about Tesla. I'm more worried about Tesla reaching profitability by 2015.
     
    #4 FL_Prius_Driver, May 30, 2010
  5. evnow

    evnow Active Member

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    By 2015 all auto companies making primarily gas cars should be scared of peak oil ....
     
    #5 evnow, May 30, 2010
  6. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Keep in mind that Chinese oil imports have increased 30% over the past twelve months. U.S. oil demand might not be rising rapidly, but GLOBAL oil demand (reminder: India) is increasing rapidly. Is the oil supply increasing fast enough? As of right now, it doesn't appear to extrapolate that way --> peak oil.

    HOWEVER, if hybrids grow in popularity, globally, it may allow oil DEMAND to remain at check. The main determining factor will be the balance between the % of vehicles sold that are hybrids versus the growth of humans in the world that can afford to buy a car.
     
    #6 Rybold, May 30, 2010
  7. joe1347

    joe1347 Active Member

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    Too bad they're on opposite coasts, but it seems like a merger of Fisker and Tesla might result in a reasonably sized car company with enough inertia and intrastructure to start challenging the majors. Otherwise, as separate companies, both seem too small to go it alone.
     
    #7 joe1347, May 31, 2010
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