Tesla Motors in Trouble?

SEGsby · 01-15-2008, 02:21 AM

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/...roll-at-t.html

Hmm.

SEGsby

polo_pro · 01-15-2008, 02:30 AM

Yeah, I'm guessing Telsa's start is going to be as rocky as Segway's. When all these rich folks get a car that starts having battery problems after a year or two (with no dealer nearby), they're not going to be very patient when the necessary repairs take weeks (or worse require the vehicle to be shipped back to NorCal).

I am heartened by the fact that the Flextreme may be produced by Saturn. I know that division has had problems over the years, but I've felt they embraced new business models much better than other American car manufacturers/divisions. If I can figure a way to shove two Gen 1's in the cargo hold, I'll be buying one that very day.

SEGsby · 01-15-2008, 03:36 AM

I wonder who will be responsible for servicing the Segway Flextreme p2s?

LLC, or GM?

SEGsby

Desert_Seg · 01-15-2008, 11:31 AM

When Martin Eberhard was shown the Tesla door in August I felt that there were going to be major issues with the production line. I did not, however, think the Elon Musk (the prime investor) would decimate the company.

This is sad because the car is a dream and although both expensive and (currently) impractical it has proved that the concept is viable.

I wonder what will happen to both the first dealership and the service center....oh, and to Whitestar.

Steven

Desert_Seg · 01-15-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEGsby

I wonder who will be responsible for servicing the Segway Flextreme p2s?

LLC, or GM?

SEGsby

That is a good question. My guess is that it would be GM, much as they do with other OEM products.

Steven

quade · 01-15-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEGsby

I wonder who will be responsible for servicing the Segway Flextreme p2s?

LLC, or GM?

SEGsby

You say "will be" like it's a forgone conclusion that the concept car will be brought to market as is. They rarely are and I seriously doubt you'll ever see a Saturn Flextreme equipped with Segways rolling out of GM.

Does make for good press though.

Desert_Seg · 01-15-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quade

You say "will be" like it's a forgone conclusion that the concept car will be brought to market as is. They rarely are and I seriously doubt you'll ever see a Saturn Flextreme equipped with Segways rolling out of GM.

Does make for good press though.

Hmmm, I wouldn't be so quick to wave this one off. I had lunch with Bob Lutz and he was very clear that this was a leading project, one that had his backing.

There have been many positive comments about the concept. Sure it might take some more development but I'm not ready to write this one off yet.

Steven

quade · 01-15-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert_Seg

Hmmm, I wouldn't be so quick to wave this one off. I had lunch with Bob Lutz . . .

Lutz is looking for a legacy to leave. The platform is what that will be, but the specific designs are yet to be seen.

As for the Saturn Flextreme w/ Segway, my opinion has not wavered since day one; nice photo op, nice press, never gonna happen in production.

I'll lay you 100:1 odds. Any takers?

polo_pro · 01-16-2008, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quade

Lutz is looking for a legacy to leave. The platform is what that will be, but the specific designs are yet to be seen.

As for the Saturn Flextreme w/ Segway, my opinion has not wavered since day one; nice photo op, nice press, never gonna happen in production.

I'll lay you 100:1 odds. Any takers?

Hmmm, I'm betting you'll be able to buy the Flextreme without the segways. Though I'll also bet that you'll be able to get a sweet deal from Segway INC for a pair of segways if you're a Flextreme owner. Maybe even as little as $8K for the pair, eh?

So maybe I should take you up on your offer....I'll put up $80. Then if I'm truly right on all counts, it'll be you buying my segways for my Flextreme! 8^) 8^) 8^)

Desert_Seg · 01-16-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quade

Lutz is looking for a legacy to leave. The platform is what that will be, but the specific designs are yet to be seen.

As for the Saturn Flextreme w/ Segway, my opinion has not wavered since day one; nice photo op, nice press, never gonna happen in production.

I'll lay you 100:1 odds. Any takers?

I'm with Steve (polo) on this. I'm putting up $100 and when I win the $10K where do I go to collect?

Steven

01-15-2008, 02:21 AM	#1
SEGsby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 2,114	Tesla Motors in Trouble? http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/...roll-at-t.html Hmm. SEGsby

01-15-2008, 03:36 AM	#3
SEGsby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 2,114	Who will Service the Accessory Segways? I wonder who will be responsible for servicing the Segway Flextreme p2s? LLC, or GM? SEGsby

01-15-2008, 02:30 AM	#2
polo_pro Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA, USA. Posts: 2,608	Yeah, I'm guessing Telsa's start is going to be as rocky as Segway's. When all these rich folks get a car that starts having battery problems after a year or two (with no dealer nearby), they're not going to be very patient when the necessary repairs take weeks (or worse require the vehicle to be shipped back to NorCal). I am heartened by the fact that the Flextreme may be produced by Saturn. I know that division has had problems over the years, but I've felt they embraced new business models much better than other American car manufacturers/divisions. If I can figure a way to shove two Gen 1's in the cargo hold, I'll be buying one that very day.

01-15-2008, 11:31 AM	#4
Desert_Seg Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Posts: 2,533	When Martin Eberhard was shown the Tesla door in August I felt that there were going to be major issues with the production line. I did not, however, think the Elon Musk (the prime investor) would decimate the company. This is sad because the car is a dream and although both expensive and (currently) impractical it has proved that the concept is viable. I wonder what will happen to both the first dealership and the service center....oh, and to Whitestar. Steven

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