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Author	Topic: Is Tesla Cars going to survive or go bankrupt?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,204 Points:133,745 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2010 3:05:07 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse Looks like the financial analysts have downgraded Tesla to a 'Sell' . They are managing to peddle their expensive boutique electric cars but their finances must be tenuous to be downgraded. . . They have a , err, mainstream model under development supposedly priced at (gulp) $57,000. If anyone would consider that price mainstream. . . The question is will anyone buy it? Even at $50k with the Federal tax credit on electric cars, just who will buy them?

Hemond

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Providence

Posts:8,204
Points:133,745
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Message Posted: Dec 28, 2010 3:05:07 PM

Ignore Hemond Report Abuse

Looks like the financial analysts have downgraded Tesla to a 'Sell' . They are managing to peddle their expensive boutique electric cars but their finances must be tenuous to be downgraded.
.
.
They have a , err, mainstream model under development supposedly priced at (gulp) $57,000. If anyone would consider that price mainstream.
.
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The question is will anyone buy it? Even at $50k with the Federal tax credit on electric cars, just who will buy them?

REPLIES (newest first)

ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,043 Points:1,857,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 2, 2011 10:49:13 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse their tech should be absorbed then made cheaper due to more supply down the road
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,204 Points:133,745 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2011 7:49:01 PM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse I like the looks of them, but lets be realistic. For the price you could buy a nice car, a p'up, and a motorcycle and still have bux left over.
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,191 Points:3,165,830 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2011 6:14:38 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse it's in the crapper
aghstnashell Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:47 Points:12,105 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2011 5:42:11 PM Ignore aghstnashell Report Abuse I'd love to own a Tesla but there's no way I could afford one for years, if ever.
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,332 Points:2,508,060 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2011 7:27:53 AM Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse The Tesla cars are designed for the wealthy who don't care about the price of gas.
Gazstation Champion Author Montreal Posts:4,118 Points:831,860 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2011 2:19:10 AM Ignore Gazstation Report Abuse Tesla Coils ... ZZZZZ
boutmuet Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,599 Points:913,910 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2011 1:26:22 AM Ignore boutmuet Report Abuse Frankly I could care less. They are targeting the same high end consumer that could afford to drive in a gas guzzling suv and not think twice about paying $5 a gallon so why downgrade to a smaller electric car? [Edited by: boutmuet at 2/27/2011 1:27:37 AM EST]
WEPSMAN Champion Author South Dakota Posts:10,518 Points:2,025,450 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Feb 19, 2011 8:40:25 AM Ignore WEPSMAN Report Abuse As far as I am concerned, I do not really care.
DodgeHemiGuy Sophomore Author British Columbia Posts:137 Points:25,110 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2011 10:13:54 PM Ignore DodgeHemiGuy Report Abuse Tesla far over-priced their cars. They needed to be in the honda civic price range, not the BMW/mercedes price range.
windrifter Rookie Author KW Posts:72 Points:218,460 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2011 10:23:21 AM Ignore windrifter Report Abuse There has to be a major breakthrough in battery storage to make electric cars viable. I have my fingers crossed. I applaud Tesla's spirit of entrepreneurship. [Edited by: windrifter at 2/18/2011 10:23:57 AM EST]
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,191 Points:3,165,830 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2011 5:56:03 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse They are in the crapper...
Pacer355 Veteran Author San Jose Posts:452 Points:1,045,735 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2011 12:02:30 AM Ignore Pacer355 Report Abuse The new S model coming in 2012 will sell for about $53K. Still too expensive for what you will get. My bet . . . going to go down.
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,732 Points:638,320 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2011 9:39:46 AM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse I can't afford one of their cars, but I think they are raising the bar so I hope they survive.
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,133 Points:1,824,075 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2011 9:08:02 AM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse They are going to make it big time... Niche market and the clients they are targeting are high end consumers. And as the old old old song goes, the rich get rich and the poor get poorer...
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,191 Points:3,165,830 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2011 6:05:09 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse I don't think they will make it
djtdi Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,840 Points:711,200 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2011 1:26:29 AM Ignore djtdi Report Abuse It looks cool,but I think it's not going to survive long. Too expensive! Appeal to niche market.
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,191 Points:3,165,830 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 26, 2011 5:56:47 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse it'll be in the dumper before long
channelv Rookie Author Dallas Posts:92 Points:5,755 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2011 5:57:10 PM Ignore channelv Report Abuse bankrupt, more than likely
oldboy Rookie Author Colorado Springs Posts:78 Points:27,510 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2011 2:24:38 PM Ignore oldboy Report Abuse CORRECTION: Several news items indicate that Tesla received $465 million in "loans" instead of stimulus cash.
oldboy Rookie Author Colorado Springs Posts:78 Points:27,510 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2011 2:13:38 PM Ignore oldboy Report Abuse You gotta remember that "analysts" operate on a short cycle to maximize their profits, sometimes measuring their success in less than daily time frames. Possibly also putting out information for a purpose that is beneficial to themselves or their employers. Keep in mind that Tesla also benefited from stimulus money to the tune of 100's of millions $$$$ (or at least between 100 & 200 millions), that's how they were able to get the NUMMI plant after GM & Toyota abandoned it.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,913 Points:2,057,655 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2011 9:25:08 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Tough start-up. Odds say they go down the tubes.
csh7586 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:4,803 Points:850,995 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2011 6:22:44 PM Ignore csh7586 Report Abuse Bankrupt. Even with gas at $8.00 a gallon.
Hemond Champion Author Providence Posts:8,204 Points:133,745 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2011 12:27:16 AM Ignore Hemond Report Abuse <<<<the answer to the title of the article is - yes >>> . . What article? What title?
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,172 Points:1,300,170 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2011 9:35:43 PM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse the answer to the title of the article is - yes
chelaramie Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,017 Points:364,890 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2011 7:43:17 PM Ignore chelaramie Report Abuse Bankrupt.
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,548 Points:2,838,240 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jan 17, 2011 10:58:45 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse Toyota has a stake in Tesla so even if they don't survive, the technology will.
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,035 Points:1,672,895 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Jan 16, 2011 3:34:11 PM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse It's always hard to predict the future of a start-up company, but chanced of a start-up company going under in the first five years are significant. I would not be surprised to see Tesla sold out to a large company that can absorb Tesla, use what Tesla has as a foundation, then adjust that for their own benefit.
BUSSY Champion Author Dallas Posts:9,917 Points:1,543,440 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jan 16, 2011 2:39:17 PM Ignore BUSSY Report Abuse bankrupt probably
El_Zorro Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:134 Points:136,760 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2011 1:11:37 PM Ignore El_Zorro Report Abuse Can't find it now, but there was an article published awhile back that stated the EPA was changing the standards by which they determined the number of miles electric vehicles could travel(equivalent to mpg) and that Tesla's number was going to take a pretty significant hit. That might have something to do with it.
PatAZ Champion Author Tucson Posts:9,253 Points:122,460 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jan 14, 2011 1:05:15 PM Ignore PatAZ Report Abuse Can't say I care at all.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,913 Points:2,057,655 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2011 9:35:32 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Tough start up biz to get into. Odds don't favor them making it.
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,332 Points:2,508,060 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2011 7:04:47 AM Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse Their first model was priced at $100 grand. Not going to keep the door open with that price tag. Now they are aiming at a $57 grand priced car which isn't much better.
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,734 Points:1,035,660 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2011 6:54:26 AM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse Their technology will be absorbed. Resistance will be fiscally futile.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,059 Points:2,448,980 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2011 11:02:24 PM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I guess it would depend on their balance sheet. Not being an investor, I have no idea if they'll make it.
E-Squirrel Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,015 Points:820,970 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2011 6:46:41 PM Ignore E-Squirrel Report Abuse I wouldn't count Tesla out. Its high profile CEO appears to have bet the company's future on the not-yet-ready S sedan. This vehicle has changed its mission, from an original $30k vehicle to an upsCAle luxury/performance market at twice the original price. It won't be available for at least a year, so we won't know before then. The specifiCAtions, including the 300 mile range per charge are impressive, but unproven. Tesla also worked a deal when it took over the former Toyota manufacturing plant in Fremont, CA. It has also agreed to help Toyota by redesigning their RAV4 EV model. EVen if the S hits snags, perhaps it CAn survive on just that business. I am sure that Toyota CAn sell more RAV4-EVs than Tesla CAn model S vehicles.
gougedQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,130 Points:69,885 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2011 10:35:02 PM Ignore gougedQC Report Abuse last i heard, they were going under. and with the price of electricity ever increasing..how expensive might these be to operate on a daily basis..and what is the service life of batteries like this?? and what about disposale.. perhaps when all is said and done...not quite as green as thought?
aRBy Veteran Author Grand Rapids Posts:447 Points:300,930 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2011 6:31:52 PM Ignore aRBy Report Abuse Tesla seems to have a high performance product, but it's a tad bit pricey. I'd keep an eye on Project Better Place. While they don't have the performance of the Tesla, they have an impressive plan for support logistics including a car-wash style battery swap station that changes out the vehicle battery in 60 seconds.
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,191 Points:3,165,830 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2010 11:16:39 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse don't know, don't really care
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:8,061 Points:1,428,510 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2010 9:56:34 AM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse hemond, it is probably the price of the stock is too hi. so they downgraded it the stock. if it was go to bankrupt the stock would be dropping real hard with heavy volume. this is just a correction till more information is comes around.
chemist74 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:13,510 Points:2,395,980 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2010 9:07:10 AM Ignore chemist74 Report Abuse Unless they can cut their prices in half, Tesla will continue to serve a niche segment (sport/luxury) of a niche market (electric cars). Selling a product that does not make economic sense and being dependent on such a small market makes a company vulnerable to the whims of a small group of customers.
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,133 Points:1,824,075 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2010 11:53:35 AM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse they will survive. Especially with gas prices going up! And of course... climate change.... :-)
chipote Champion Author Washington Posts:1,274 Points:389,555 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2010 11:18:57 AM Ignore chipote Report Abuse They don't need to sell in high numbers. There's always a su...r who will pay the huge premium.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,043 Points:1,857,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2010 1:06:32 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse maybe if they make a hybrid version, it can be saved - 160, 230, or 300 mile range pack - 45 minute QuickCharge - 1 minute Battery Swap still, those specs are impressive [Edited by: ricebike at 12/29/2010 1:07:55 AM EST]
Maintroll Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,644 Points:1,705,085 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2010 1:05:44 AM Ignore Maintroll Report Abuse Tesla vehicles are entirely too high for the average consumer, but they will probably survive because there are enough rich individuals that will purchase them. Rolls Royce is still around.
binkhouse Veteran Author Tucson Posts:468 Points:46,045 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2010 10:58:46 PM Ignore binkhouse Report Abuse What's a Tesla?
Daddybud Champion Author North Carolina Posts:6,306 Points:1,367,705 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2010 7:55:18 PM Ignore Daddybud Report Abuse dON'T KNOW.