Tesla Model 3 outsells entire BMW car lineup in August

[OutHouse]

Wow. this shocked me.
https://www.autoblog.com/amp/2018/09/06/tesla-model-3-outsells-entire-bmw-car-lineup/

 

[drnickriviera]

Keep pumping them out. I want more used batteries on the market.

 

[Red Storm]

Looking forward to the more affordable version.

 

[gorcorps]

Looking forward to the more affordable version.

I'm looking forward to future EVs from established automakers, which are more likely to be affordable (like the Hyundai Kona). I actually like some of the stuff GM is doing, but I can't trust them long term. While I don't think Tesla has worked out a lot of their quality issues (they're still learning) I'm very glad they were able to get EVs more mainstream attention and push everyone to start looking at them more seriously.

 

[Red Storm]

I'm looking forward to future EVs from established automakers, which are more likely to be affordable (like the Hyundai Kona). I actually like some of the stuff GM is doing, but I can't trust them long term. While I don't think Tesla has worked out a lot of their quality issues (they're still learning) I'm very glad they were able to get EVs more mainstream attention and push everyone to start looking at them more seriously.

As long as they establish a nation wide charging network like Tesla I'm definitely open to getting one from an established auto maker as well, but right now it feels like the established companies are not putting forth the effort. a 100 mile range, ugly looking EV is not what I want.

 

[gorcorps]

As long as they establish a nation wide charging network like Tesla I'm definitely open to getting one from an established auto maker as well, but right now it feels like the established companies are not putting forth the effort. a 100 mile range, ugly looking EV is not what I want.

Well, in 2014 Elon claimed that he wouldn't pursue any patent lawsuits to any company that wants to use their technology. While I'm not sure if that's legally binding in any way, it possibly opens the door for the Tesla network to become the "standard" if everyone else adopts it in their own vehicles. They can also provide other options, but it seems like there's nothing stopping automakers from at least asking if they can add Tesla charger capability to their vehicles. It would certainly help things move forward.

 

[manly]

Looking forward to the more affordable version.

This is actually the most important point about Tesla's Model 3 production and sales ramp up. Perhaps I'm somewhat of a Tesla bear but the models I have seen suggest that the 400k deep waiting list is much less useful than it sounds. We won't know until approximately spring 2019, but a lot of consumers are waiting for the $35k base model. Although it is coming sooner (or later), very few industry observers think a sub-$40k Model 3 will turn a unit profit anytime soon. Remember that the U.S. federal subsidy for Tesla halves on Jan. 1st, and phases out by mid year.

So although Tesla can and will get more efficient at production over time (and make a better marginal profit per unit sold), it's a race against time for them to convert apparent demand (reservations) into high ASP transactions.

If the Model 3 is still outselling all BMW passenger cars in 2019 Q2, then that will be very newsworthy. Currently they are just fulfilling 2 year old pre-orders, not to mention non-CUV/SUV sales are tanking hard.

As long as they establish a nation wide charging network like Tesla I'm definitely open to getting one from an established auto maker as well, but right now it feels like the established companies are not putting forth the effort. a 100 mile range, ugly looking EV is not what I want.

From what I've read, the long-range charging infrastructure for non-Tesla automakers is a couple years out. A lot of it is a result of VW's Dieselgate settlement with the U.S. government. This is fairly good timing because the Jaguar I-Pace is one of the first of a fleet of BEVs to be released that will benefit greatly from a fast-charging network. The Supercharger network has a big head start, but it's still early days.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

GM has a massive dealer network, would not be hard for them to have a supercharger like network in place very quickly as they don't need to purchase/lease land and just build/install chargers on their lots.

California is phasing out carpool lane access to partial EV's, so folks are scrambling to purchase Model 3's to keep their access. Volt, Prius plug-in, Ford Cmax/Fusion Energi - rights expire end of December unless the car is less then 2yrs old. If you drive in Silicon Valley its a steady stream of solo drivers in the HOV lane with 30-mile commutes taking 2hrs if no HOV access.

 

[tweakmonkey]

California is phasing out carpool lane access to partial EV's, so folks are scrambling to purchase Model 3's to keep their access. Volt, Prius plug-in, Ford Cmax/Fusion Energi - rights expire end of December unless the car is less then 2yrs old. If you drive in Silicon Valley its a steady stream of solo drivers in the HOV lane with 30-mile commutes taking 2hrs if no HOV access.

All old EVs, that used to have a white sticker are also retiring. Green plug-in hybrid stickers are expiring, but Red stickers that are on all EVs 2018+ and plug-in hybrids 2018+ will get the same red sticker now. Whether that translates to the same benefits yet, not sure, but I did notice 880 has a Fastrak only sign now (doesn't mention HOV access) but otherwise red and white/green seem to be the same so far. It's kind of crap that a small efficient EV gets the same treatment as a big turbo Mercedes SUV that only goes 20 miles on EV.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

223,654 solo drivers may lose carpool stickers in HOV-lane shakeup
Gary Richards September 11, 2018
Nearly 224,000 solo drivers stand to lose their green and white carpool stickers — permanently — on Jan. 1 in a seismic shakeup of the rules governing diamond lanes.

Others will be unable to get new red replacement stickers because their incomes will be too high. And some express carpool lanes might require three or more people to ride free, while vehicles with two people inside may have to pay — but at a discount.

The new rules come courtesy of the state Legislature and the Air Resources Board, which are trying to address — in part — just how jammed with traffic carpool lanes have become.

There are 223,654 drivers statewide who received stickers before 2017 to drive solo in electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids or ones that can run on alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas. These drivers will be ineligible to extend their perk after Jan. 1 unless they purchase a new electric vehicle. Another 132,733 decals have been issued since then, and those motorists can apply for the new red stickers.

https://outline.com/sRfLdA

 

[Midwayman]

Banning people from the carpool lane based on income seems--- unfair. If it went the other way and they made access $10k a year or something there would be all sorts of riots. If they really want to keep the lanes moving they should ban all 'green' vehicle exemptions and really make it car pool and mass transit only. The whole sticker system just seems like a huge mess.

 

[Red Storm]

I am all for getting rid of benefits allowing single rider cars into carpool lanes. I understand why it was done before, but it should really go back to being for true carpoolers and mass transit vehicles only. And I say this as someone who drives solo and does not have any kind of benefit granting access to those lanes.