# 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:** 30
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/581 "2015-11-12T23:29:37Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Shall we apply this logic to Apple and how they consistently sold out of early iPhones, forcing people to wait weeks for a consumer gadget, and yet still people couldn’t get enough of it? > > Wow, Apple was a really crappy company. Samsung and had the resources that Apple didn’t have, so I assume Apple failed as a company a few years back. I haven’t been checking, though. good luck with that analogy. Apple actually showed up on game day with their product in hand. You keep coming up with these excuses for Tesla’s money problems as if they don’t exist. Apple suffers from investor pleasing returns on their products. It’s one thing for someone to wait on what amounts to a play toy for the rich but the Model 3 is suppose to be a mass produced car for the general public. What excuse would you like to post in advance for the Model 3. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/582 "2015-11-13T01:06:38Z")
Every time someone tries to talk about the product, you change the subject to finances. Why do you keep ducking that debate? I’ve said eleventy billion times in this thread that Tesla has a vapor ware problem. Go read those posts instead of asking stupid straw man questions. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/583 "2015-11-13T02:15:22Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Every time someone tries to talk about the product, you change the subject to finances. Why do you keep ducking that debate? I’ve cited everything I’ve said. You, nothing. What has the promisesTesla made regarding the Model 3 done to revolutionize American driving. Why do YOU keep ducking the debate with analogies. And FTR, Tesla’s finances is the reason why the Model 3 will not revolutionize American driving. They have redirected money for the factory to their current models. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/584 "2015-11-13T02:50:11Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > What has the promisesTesla made regarding the Model 3 done to revolutionize American driving. Why do YOU keep ducking the debate with analogies. To be perfectly honest, I feel the need to break down my argument to the most simple elements. I am compelled to do this because I am faced with silly questions like, “Did the promise of the Model 3 revolutionize American driving?” ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/585 "2015-11-13T03:10:54Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > To be perfectly honest, I feel the need to break down my argument to the most simple elements. I am compelled to do this because I am faced with silly questions like, “Did the promise of the Model 3 revolutionize American driving?” If only there was a thread on the subject where you could post your opinion about it and give some reasons justifying that opinion. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/586 "2015-11-13T06:29:48Z")
**Magiver** [I’d be interested in your opinion on this](http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/15/autos/porsche-debuts-first-electric-car-mission-e/) (Porsche all electric car) > [@](#): > > Tesla is becoming a serious competitor for luxury car brands, forcing them to up their game. Mueller spoke at the Frankfurt auto show saying that Tesla “did a very good job, especially in terms of connectivity. Some things about the car itself could be better, but OK. That is our competition.” Sure - it may be “5 years from market” - but if not for the Tesla, would it even be a sketch on a drawing board - let alone a concept being paraded at an Autoshow? ---
**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:** [November 13, 2015, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/587 "2015-11-13T11:46:13Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > If only there was a thread on the subject where you could post your opinion about it and give some reasons justifying that opinion. The promise of something doesn’t revolutionize anything. I’m not sure how to prove that. It should be self evident, which is why I think it is a poorly conceived question. ---
**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 13, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/588 "2015-11-13T15:40:51Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > The promise of something doesn’t revolutionize anything. I’m not sure how to prove that. It should be self evident, which is why I think it is a poorly conceived question. Which is why the question assumes Tesla delivers on their promises viz. this is a hypothetical ---
**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:** [November 13, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/589 "2015-11-13T17:23:33Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > only if it coasted down hill for the first 40 miles. > > I’ve seen exactly one of them on the road. One Leaf? I’ve seen several. Maybe it’s a regional thing. One of my friends just bought one, too, although I haven’t seen hers, yet. But she’s raved about it. (She is part of a large household, and also has a Prius and a pick up truck, iirc. So only using the Leaf when 80 miles is enough range isn’t a problem.) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/590 "2015-11-13T17:27:09Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > only if it coasted down hill for the first 40 miles. > > I’ve seen exactly one of them on the road. In addition to mine, I see about one a day on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/591 "2015-11-13T17:33:13Z")
By the way, they just published EV registration numbers for California. 27,000 new registrations in 2014, 17,000 for the first six months of 2015. About 270,000 registered in total. I was behind two Leafs on the way to work this morning. I easily see half a dozen EVs during each leg of my commute. But I live in the 21st century. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/592 "2015-11-14T04:46:18Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > **Magiver** [I’d be interested in your opinion on this](http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/15/autos/porsche-debuts-first-electric-car-mission-e/) (Porsche all electric car) > > Sure - it may be “5 years from market” - but if not for the Tesla, would it even be a sketch on a drawing board - let alone a concept being paraded at an Autoshow? I already talked about that earlier. If Tesla takes away customers from other companies those companies will enter their market. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2015, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/593 "2015-11-14T11:51:45Z")
That may not be a revolution, but it means Tesla matters. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2015, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/594 "2015-11-14T12:09:52Z")
Magiver, this thread doesn’t ask whether Tesla will become a major, profitable car company. You make some good points, but you are so focused on whether Tesla will become a major profitable company that a lot of what you say is lost, because it is buried in stuff that is plainly irrelevant to the question of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/595 "2015-11-15T02:06:32Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Magiver, this thread doesn’t ask whether Tesla will become a major, profitable car company. You make some good points, but you are so focused on whether Tesla will become a major profitable company that a lot of what you say is lost, because it is buried in stuff that is plainly irrelevant to the question of the thread. The thread is specific about a car they haven’t produced yet influencing American driving. Since it looks like other cars in the same class will beat it to production then the it’s unlikely Tesla will be influential in that regard. I’ve cited their financial problems as the reason it won’t make it to market first. What in this argument are you disagreeing with? ---
**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:** [November 15, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/596 "2015-11-15T03:11:06Z")
People are influenced by dreams. Honestly, I think my husband insisted on buying an electric car because of Tesla, even though we bought a C-max. “They won’t win in the marketplace” simply isn’t a sufficient arguement against “they will revolutionize driving”. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2015, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/597 "2015-11-15T03:23:41Z")
I will argue that, Tesla (with or without ever producing a ‘Model 3’) has _already_ “revolutionized” American Driving experience. The existence of this thread is a pretty strong indication of this. Mr. Musk, for better or worse, has brought the concept of an all-electric auto fleet into the consciousness of the American Driving public. None of the hybrids, nor the discussion of a ‘possible’ electric car, had brought it to this level of discussion. The man can sell an idea. See the home storage battery. Yes, there are such devices around - but they never got the ink or mindfulness of the Tesla Powerwall ™. Musk makes you believe the dream - another Steve Jobs. I would love to see a real, honest-to-deity Tesla in my garage. It wont happen, barring a radical change in my finances. But, because of Tesla, I CAN imagine some sort of electric in there. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/598 "2015-11-15T03:37:08Z")
I agree. I don’t think the model 3 is going to matter much, because I suspect that other companies will have decent electric cars by then, and also, it won’t be as cool as the luxury cars. But I think the model S really DID revolutionize the American driving experience. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2015, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/599 "2015-11-15T05:12:13Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > I will argue that, Tesla (with or without ever producing a ‘Model 3’) has _already_ “revolutionized” American Driving experience. > > The existence of this thread is a pretty strong indication of this. > > Mr. Musk, for better or worse, has brought the concept of an all-electric auto fleet into the consciousness of the American Driving public. > > None of the hybrids, nor the discussion of a ‘possible’ electric car, had brought it to this level of discussion. > > The man can sell an idea. > > See the home storage battery. Yes, there are such devices around - but they never got the ink or mindfulness of the Tesla Powerwall ™. > > Musk makes you believe the dream - another Steve Jobs. > > I would love to see a real, honest-to-deity Tesla in my garage. It wont happen, barring a radical change in my finances. But, because of Tesla, I CAN imagine some sort of electric in there. There is no denying Musk is a dreamer. If we can move past the Model 3 as a revolutionizing car then we can discuss the Model S. I don’t think it’s revolutionized American driving because it’s a luxury car. But it has revolutionized sports cars by demonstrating a good dollar value for the performance it provides. Sports cars in the $100K price range will have to bring out an EV. The Model S performance upgrade is just too good in that price range. I don’t think this translates into the anticipated purchase decisions for the Model 3 or other cars in that price range. IMO that demographic group is looking for a dollar value based on fuel efficiency. This is the save-the-whale crowd. That’s how I see it. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2015, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537/600 "2015-11-15T06:36:30Z")
The car didn’t do diddly. The man did a tremendous job of raising the idea that ‘ya know, we just _might_ like an electric car after all’. The ‘Model 3’, if produced (I am using the term ‘Model 3’ as shorthand for ‘credible, usable family car reasonably priced - that happens to be electric’, regardless of who brings it to market first) will be the electric equivalent of the Ford Model T - there had been many, many automobiles before the first Model T rolled off the line - but it was the Flivver that made the US see the future as powered by gasoline, not muscle. It was a matter of price-point on one hand, but more importantly, it was Henry Ford proclaiming the ‘new age’ and the publicity he generated, which made the auto the new vision of personal transport. The ‘Model 3/the electric Model T’ will come in the next few - from somebody. It will be an electric which converts the US to a driverless vehicle, in my guess - the electric revolution will occur well before the autonomous vehicle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tesla-model-3-revolutionize-amercan-driving/726537.md?page=31)