In the Fun Stock Picks thread a short while ago, I’d mentioned Tesla as a pick for “fun” volatile stock possibly worth grabbing during the sharp drop in the market recently. Many auto analysts were sure Tesla was not to be taken seriously as a threat to the auto industry, yet German manufacturers clearly recognize such vehicles are the future and investors remain bullish on Tesla it appears. Whether this effort from German auto makers helps or harms Tesla stock values, I’m not sure.I hope it helps as competition is generally a good thing! I’m hoping so as a stock holder!
Tired of Tesla? German Automakers Ready An Electric Blitzkrieg
After years of watching Tesla Motors steal sales and attention with the all-electric Tesla Model S, German automakers are finally striking back with several high-volume production EVs of their own — seeking to outflank the California start-up, even as they struggle to make sense of the electric car business.
Three years from now will see the launch of two all-electric models from Audi and Porsche based on concepts revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. Both the e-tron Quattro and Porsche Mission E production vehicles will feature a range of about 310 miles, with massive floor-mounted lithium-ion battery packs — just like Tesla builds with the Model S sedan and upcoming Model X SUV.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz will have its own unique electric vehicle for high-volume production within a similar time and with a similar driving range. Thomas Weber, Mercedes chief of research and development, says the first volume EV with a Mercedes badge will not be a variant of a current vehicle, but compete in a “new space.”
Those models will join the BMW i3 and i8 electric cars, which BMW execs have said would portend additional all-electric models.
“This is our first bigger volume (electric) car, and we will see how the customer is accepting of that,” said Ulrich Hackenberg, head of research and development for Audi. “If you look over a long time e-mobility will have a very dominant function.”
Electric cars will never go anywhere catering to the rich, and are futile as stewards of the environment when the power to charge them comes from fossil fuels and dams.
Wish they’d allow small diesel cars into the USA like they have in Europe. Mofos on top gear drove from Switzerland to Northern England on 10 gallons in one.
That’s the mantra, but I don’t see any reason for it in the long term as more makers adopt them, costs come down, etc etc, the usual reasons a tech may start out expensive and trickle down. All the tech in your current car was only found in luxury cars 20 years ago or less. What’s on luxury cars now, will be standard on most cars in the near future.
The claim is, it still produces far less pollution, but I have not personally looked in depth on that claim. Decent article on that debate:
Not sure I follow. Diesel is here and various companies offer diesel models. Americans are notoriously anti diesel and don’t tend to buy them. Do you mean specific models?
I was told that the reason the govt will not “allow” the importation of the Toyota Hi-Lux diesel was emissions standards.
…really?
So the Toyota dealerships will sell you a V8 4wd Tundra that gets maybe 14mpg on a good day (I used to own one…so I know) but no on the Hi-Lux that gets about 27mpg on the highway?
The damn Hi-Lux diesel gets twice the mileage but somehow the 14mpg Tundra has better emissions? How?
Oh well…GM is going to put a Duramax 4 cyl. turbo diesel in their Colorado/Canyon trucks in 2016 and the specs have it getting close to 40mpg on the highway. Thats right…40mpg hwy out of a pickup. The motor was designed by D-Max in Ohio - the same company that makes the excellent 6.6 Duramax that is in my GMC 2500.
So you might not get your diesel Hi-Lux but I’d keep an eye out for the Duramax Colorado that is coming.
If they were, they’d have let in all of those diesels from Europe a long time ago. Most of the BMWs, Benzes and other cars made for the Euro market are diesels that get MUCH better mileage than the gas models we have to choose from in the states.
There have been Peugot, Fiat and Opel diesels that get over 50mpg over in Europe for decades. Not allowed for importation but you can buy all the Hummers and Armadas you want! LOL
I don’t need an electric car anytime soon, but I can’t wait to own an electric motorcycle of some sort. Especially an off road bike. The only reason being is I wouldn’t be pissing anyone off with the noise. You can roll around stealth mode on an electric dual sport bike.
I’m never giving up gas bikes though.
Edit to add: KTM makes a promising bike, the Freeride E. Not available for sale yet though.
Diesel emissions standards are ridiculously tight now. Combine that with the fact they use ppm standards that neglect volume of fuel burned and its a killer.
To me, I see Tesla getting push back on their cars sooner than later. What interests me moving forward is their new home product called PowerWall that is basically a battery pack you install in your home that stores energy when it’s cheap and can back up your whole home w/o the use of combustion engines. Here in Colorado that’s a big deal to mountain homes and preppers alike. Imagine installing a single, clean and quiet battery that can save you money when no emergency presents itself and continues whirring along silently when an emergency does present itself w/o missing a bit to your home electronics. To me that is the future of Tesla once the car market gets more competitive… and competition is coming.
Indeed it is, which tells us such cars are here to stay and electric cars as toys of the wealthy likely false. Most new tech is a toy for the wealthy until it’s not. Tesla is thinking ahead, well ahead, and is well beyond the curve to other companies on a number of fronts. Far enough to stay ahead of the new rivals? I sure hope so.
Electric cars are coming. Apple is building one. If history is any indicator, that’s all it will take. It will be interesting. Apple usually defines the engineering and the market. It will be interesting to see how they do playing catch-up.
“But but but, Apple is on its last legs” says every expert analyst after Apple launches a new product only to be proven wrong. The Apple watch was promised to be a total flop. Sales have exceeded even Apples expectations. The 6 series of phones have become a monster that has dumped all competitiors on their head, and (wait for it) experts are saying the new models coming out are not grand enough changes to make a difference…When will they learn?
You’d be amazed at how many Nissan Leaf drivers would argue with the toy for the wealthy idea.
We are on our 2nd. It just works well as a car in its own right. It covers probably 90%+ of our daily travels. We shifted over 15k miles per year off our diesels and gasers. At a fraction of the cost to operate. (Really no mtc on electric Nissans in a 2 yr lease other than tire rotation) My total cost to drive the Leaf for 30k mikes was $.13/ mile. I could not even buy fuel for my next cheapest vehicle, much less account for mtc, depreciation, tires, etc.
Our charging is done at night when our state has excess capacity. Specifically, the state “baseload” minimum generation (nuke & hydro) is more than demand and what can be sold to bother states.
Not trying to convince you to lease one, just understand that world is significantly different than most believe. Between the crazy epa requirements for diesels and the anti press on electrics, I’m starting to believe some of the car/oil conspiracy theories. There is no valid reason for our epa to measure diesels the way they do unless you want to discourage use. Nowhere else in the world does it that way, even European countries.
If you examine my comment(s) closely, you’ll see I’m arguing such vehicle are clearly not just toys for the wealthy as others often maintain as reasons not to invest in the tech (as I did) or purchase one.
