# Will the Tesla Model 3 revolutionize Amercan driving? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 30, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537 "2015-07-30T00:07:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/501 "2015-10-26T21:02:52Z")
> [@Ryan\_Liam](#): > > When we see Tesla trucks, and Tesla bulldozers, and heavy lift vehicles, then there’s a revolution. [They](http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/01/31/tesla-cofounder-ian-wright-looks-to-electrify-commercial-trucks/21870741/)’re on their way… ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/502 "2015-10-26T21:14:55Z")
A better link to [Wrightspeed](http://www.wrightspeed.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/503 "2015-10-27T04:11:55Z")
Well there are 2 things wrong with those cites. One, it’s not Tesla, and two, it’s an ice hybrid system with extended batteries. Nice idea though. Maybe it will use Tesla Batteries. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/504 "2015-10-27T16:12:03Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Your opinion of Tesla’s finances falls under internet opinion. I posted a cite showing they are in distress. [Here’s another one](http://www.businessinsider.com/barclays-problems-in-tesla-10-k-2015-3). quote: "Capital spending has been for Tesla Model S and Model X upgrades — not its big gigafactory. " > > They are not putting the money into their gigafactory as you suggested. They’re propping up their existing models. > > From the same cite: "On the bright side, Barclays said that Tesla is making progress on some key product milestones, as stock grant data shows that the Model X Beta prototype is complete, while the Model 3 Alpha prototype is considered “probable of achievement.” > > GM already has 50 of their 200 mile prototype running around town. They’re getting the bugs out of it now. Tesla is still working on the prototype. > > and finally: "This report on Tesla comes after analysts at Bank of America said last week that Tesla could be facing a huge collapse, writing: “We believe Tesla has seemingly managed to offset a steady stream of negative news and weak financial results by issuing long-term targets that, in our view, are often quite difficult to fathom.” The thread title does not ask, “Will Tesla be a successful company and be worth a lot of money in 10 years?” It asks whether it will “revoluntionize American driving”. Tesla made EVs sexy and desirable. It could crash and burn on the stock market tomorrow, but it would still have had that impact. The Tesla sizzle is a large part of why other car companies are putting serious R&D into real electric cars, and not just producing a handful of cars to meet some legal “% of fleet” goal. Because now there are customers who want to buy them. Not just a handful of enviro-geeks, but the guy who helped me pay at the parking garage the other night, who expressed a desire for a Tesla, and people who see my C-max energi at the parking lot and ask about it, and mention the desirability of the Tesla, comparing my car to that. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/505 "2015-10-28T00:29:19Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > The thread title does not ask, “Will Tesla be a successful company and be worth a lot of money in 10 years?” It asks whether it will “revoluntionize American driving”. > > Tesla made EVs sexy and desirable. It could crash and burn on the stock market tomorrow, but it would still have had that impact. The Tesla sizzle is a large part of why other car companies are putting serious R&D into real electric cars, and not just producing a handful of cars to meet some legal “% of fleet” goal. Because now there are customers who want to buy them. Not just a handful of enviro-geeks, but the guy who helped me pay at the parking garage the other night, who expressed a desire for a Tesla, and people who see my C-max energi at the parking lot and ask about it, and mention the desirability of the Tesla, comparing my car to that. we went through this. your statement is like saying Chevy will sell more cars because of sexy Porsche cars. Other car companies are not putting in large sums of money into research because of anything Tesla is doing. They’re doing it because it’s the natural extension of hybrid car markets and not luxury sports cars. Gm had already made a test run of an electric car before Tesla was even thought of. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/506 "2015-10-28T00:58:59Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > we went through this. your statement is like saying Chevy will sell more cars because of sexy Porsche cars. IF no one else were making high performance cars that people wanted AND Porshe decided to come out with a high-performance car for $35,000 that there was a huge demand for then yes your analogy would be correct. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/507 "2015-10-28T01:16:10Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > we went through this. your statement is like saying Chevy will sell more cars because of sexy Porsche cars. > > Other car companies are not putting in large sums of money into research because of anything Tesla is doing. They’re doing it because it’s the natural extension of hybrid car markets and not luxury sports cars. Gm had already made a test run of an electric car before Tesla was even thought of. Once again, you’re commenting on the question of whether Tesla is going to join the Big Three car manufacturers. I don’t think anyone on the planet thinks they are going to overtake GM in sales. But it sure seems that Tesla is clearing the way for other car companies to enter this market, in the way that touchscreen smartphones were not a thing until Apple made them a thing. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/508 "2015-10-28T02:26:05Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > IF no one else were making high performance cars that people wanted AND Porshe decided to come out with a high-performance car for $35,000 that there was a huge demand for then yes your analogy would be correct. Tesla isn’t the company putting out cheap electric cars. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/509 "2015-10-28T02:27:35Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Once again, you’re commenting on the question of whether Tesla is going to join the Big Three car manufacturers. I don’t think anyone on the planet thinks they are going to overtake GM in sales. > > But it sure seems that Tesla is clearing the way for other car companies to enter this market, in the way that touchscreen smartphones were not a thing until Apple made them a thing. What has Tesla done to “clear the way”. They were never in the cheap electric car market. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/510 "2015-10-28T07:09:47Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Tesla isn’t the company putting out cheap electric cars. Yet again. Assumption is Model 3 will be $35000 ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/511 "2015-10-28T11:23:44Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > What has Tesla done to “clear the way”. They were never in the cheap electric car market. And Apple wasn’t in the Android smartphone market. Tesla has demonstrated that there’s quite a few people who will buy electric cars even if they aren’t cheap. If the Model 3 turns out to be real, and it is a normal sedan with the features and price that’s promised, it’s a way more attractive product than the Bolt. People in this market tend to want normal cars that are electric, not econoboxes that are electric. Tesla has demonstrated this by selling cars that people want to drive, not by selling electric cars that people will settle for. From what I’ve seen of the Bolt that you have idolized so much, it’s a tiny car with almost no trunk and a bigger battery. You think that is a better offer than what the Model 3 is promised to be - a real sedan with more range at the same price? I know which one I would choose. Now Telsa has to deliver, which I do not expect to be on time, and I’m not totally sure if they will meet their price promise either. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/512 "2015-10-28T22:52:11Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Yet again. Assumption is Model 3 will be $35000 Yet again, they don’t have a protoype, GM has 50 of theirs driving around. Kind of hard to revolutionize American driving if you’re following what the other companies are doing. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2015, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/513 "2015-10-28T23:31:55Z")
So why do you keep insinuating that the Bolt is going to be a success when you ridicule the Volt so much? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/514 "2015-10-29T00:07:53Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > And Apple wasn’t in the Android smartphone market. I’m confused? Are you arguing with yourself and are suggesting the Iphone didn’t influence the smartphone market? > [@Ravenman](#): > > Tesla has demonstrated that there’s quite a few people who will buy electric cars even if they aren’t cheap. If the Model 3 turns out to be real, and it is a normal sedan with the features and price that’s promised, it’s a way more attractive product than the Bolt. [Here’s](http://c1cleantechnicacom.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2015/01/chevy-bolt-chevy-volt-2-0-implic-620x350.jpg) the [Bolt](http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/Chevrolet/northamerica/usa/nscwebsite/en/Home/Chevy%20Culture/Auto%20News/The%20Future%20Of%20Ev/01_images/2015-culture-bev-b8-316x246.jpg). [Here’s](http://cdn.carshowroom.com.au/media/21237083/tesla-model-3.jpg.ashx?w=728&h=410&mode=crop&watermark=csr&format=jpg&quality=74&progressive=true&encoder=freeimage) the [Model 3.](http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/tesla-model-3-rendered-again-this-time-dressed-in-hatchback-clothing-95707_1.jpg) > [@Ravenman](#): > > People in this market tend to want normal cars that are electric, not econoboxes that are electric. Tesla has demonstrated this by selling cars that people want to drive, not by selling electric cars that people will settle for. What? They sell luxury cars. Normal cars will require a higher volume which they aren’t equipped to do. As I cited earlier they’re running through money and the money they’re spending is on current models. They’re not putting money in the larger plant. > [@Ravenman](#): > > From what I’ve seen of the Bolt that you have idolized so much, it’s a tiny car with almost no trunk and a bigger battery. You think that is a better offer than what the Model 3 is promised to be - a real sedan with more range at the same price? I know which one I would choose. cite that I idolize the Bolt. I’m just posting what’s going on in the industry. Other companies like GM have the money to build the cars Tesla is talking about building. They also have the dealerships and the infrastructure to sell their cars and maintain them. Buying a Tesla is like buying a Peugeot in the US. > [@Ravenman](#): > > Now Telsa has to deliver, which I do not expect to be on time, and I’m not totally sure if they will meet their price promise either. May the force be with them. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/515 "2015-10-29T00:59:54Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > So why do you keep insinuating that the Bolt is going to be a success when you ridicule the Volt so much? I haven’t insinuated anything. I pointed out the Bolt was already on the road being tested vs Tesla’s Model 3 which is well behind it. That’s relevant to the thread which asks if Tesla is revolutionizing American driving. I couldn’t have made it more plain why I thought the Volt wouldn’t sell and it applies to all electric cars. It’s battery charge time. But you knew that. I’ve made it clear what I think about Tesla. Beautiful niche car company that will be eaten alive if it tries to compete against larger companies. It doesn’t have the funding. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/516 "2015-11-04T16:00:13Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I pointed out the Bolt was already on the road being tested vs Tesla’s Model 3 which is well behind it. That’s relevant to the thread which asks if Tesla is revolutionizing American driving. [QUOTE=Car & Driver] GM has unveiled a new, dedicated electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Bolt, which will arrive in two years. [/QUOTE] So 2017, same as the Model 3. While Chevrolet may have an advantage with tires hitting the road first, Tesla has better infrastructure and tons more R&D in making the final product. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/517 "2015-11-05T03:25:59Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > [Here’s](http://cdn.carshowroom.com.au/media/21237083/tesla-model-3.jpg.ashx?w=728&h=410&mode=crop&watermark=csr&format=jpg&quality=74&progressive=true&encoder=freeimage) the [Model 3.](http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/tesla-model-3-rendered-again-this-time-dressed-in-hatchback-clothing-95707_1.jpg) Those aren’t even the same model. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/518 "2015-11-05T03:47:14Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > So 2017, same as the Model 3. While Chevrolet may have an advantage with tires hitting the road first, Tesla has better infrastructure and tons more R&D in making the final product. On what planet does Tesla have better infrastructure and tons more R&D then any other car maker? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/519 "2015-11-05T21:57:51Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > On what planet does Tesla have better infrastructure and tons more R&D then any other car maker? On Planet Electric Vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/520 "2015-11-06T00:09:59Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > On Planet Electric Vehicles. then you should have no trouble citing their financial stability along with dealerships compared to other car companies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537.md?page=27)