Over 1000 model S reservations

[efusco]

It took a little over a month to get to 1000, but since it's still about 3 years before full production they've got plenty of time to get those numbers even higher.

My number is probably somewhere b/w 200 and 400 on that list. I hope to find out exactly where later this month.

Tesla Motors - Press Releases
Tesla surpasses 1,000 reservations for Model S



Low total cost of ownership drives interest in Tesla’s sedan and sports car


May 12, 2009
SAN CARLOS, Calif. – (BUSINESS WIRE) — Tesla Motors surpassed 1,000 reservations for the Model S, an all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge.
Tesla launched the car March 26, and reservations immediately began streaming in online and at showrooms in California. The anticipated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a federal tax credit. The $5,000 reservation fee is refundable.
But sticker price is only one part of a car’s total cost of ownership. If you account for the much lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline at a likely future cost of more than $5 per gallon, the Model S is equivalent to a gasoline car with a sticker price of about $30,000, such as a Ford Taurus, Honda Accord or even a Toyota Avalon or BMW 3-Series. Those savings are realized immediately if you lease a Model S, so there is no need wait years to earn back the price difference.
“The Model S is a better value than much cheaper conventional cars,” said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “Despite the enormous environmental benefits, lower total cost of ownership will soon become the primary motivation for consumers to evolve from gas guzzlers to EVs.”
Performance with a Clean Conscience
Tesla is the only production automaker selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe. With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class, yet is more than twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius and delivers 244 miles per charge – the only car that offers performance with a clean conscience.
Tesla has delivered more than 400 Roadsters to customers so far. The base price of the Roadster is $101,500 after a $7,500 federal tax credit.
The Roadster has a far lower cost of ownership than comparably priced sports cars -- even after factoring in a battery pack replacement. The lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline, the relative lack of maintenance on an EV, and state and federal tax incentives may result in lifetime savings of at least $26,000 compared with a similarly priced gasoline sports car. The Roadster also liberates owners from detours to the gas station and inconvenient trips to the mechanic for routine oil changes, exhaust system repairs and other internal combustion engine maintenance.
“Some Roadster customers are sports car enthusiasts. Some are environmentalists. Some care about energy security. All are discriminating and value conscious consumers,” Musk said. “Now we’re seeing the same attributes in customers who opt for the Model S. People who drive Teslas refuse to compromise on value, performance or efficiency.”
About Tesla Motors
San Carlos, California-based Tesla Motors designs and manufactures electric vehicles with exceptional design, performance and efficiency, while conforming to all North American and European safety, environmental and durability standards. The Roadster, which has a 0-to-60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds, is the only highway-capable production EV for sale in North America and Europe. Tesla expects to begin producing the Model S sedan in late 2011.
CONTACT:
Rachel Konrad
Tesla Motors, Inc.
+1 (650) 701-2664
rachel@teslamotors.com

[daniel]

It is a bit disingenuous to quote the base price (after a federal tax credit which may or may not still be in effect in 3 or 4 or 5 years when the car is actually delivered) and right along side it, quote the range of the much more expensive top of the line model with the largest available battery pack. Much more forthcoming would be to quote price and range for the base model, and then price and range of the longest-range model.

I do believe it will be a fabulous car. But $50,000 is not going to get the 300-mile range. Nor will it get any of the options many buyers will want.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by daniel

It is a bit disingenuous to quote the base price (after a federal tax credit which may or may not still be in effect in 3 or 4 or 5 years when the car is actually delivered) and right along side it, quote the range of the much more expensive top of the line model with the largest available battery pack. Much more forthcoming would be to quote price and range for the base model, and then price and range of the longest-range model.

I do believe it will be a fabulous car. But $50,000 is not going to get the 300-mile range. Nor will it get any of the options many buyers will want.

Yea, I guess it is, but so what? Look at any TV commercial...they show a fancy version with extra features "look what we can do in our car" stuff, then they show in big font the base price (Starting at $xxxxx). Then the unreadable fine print at the bottom says "price as equipt: $xxxxxx).

The Tesla is no different. Anyone willing to plop down $5k on a reservation for a car that may never be made can a) afford it, and b) realizes that they're not gonna get a 300 mile range car, loaded, for $50k.

It's an attention getter and for that I can't blame them, it's what it's about right now, getting press, getting noticed, and attracting potential buyers.

[ljbad4life]

I'm honestly glad the tesla is doing something. I have a feeling tesla is going to replace one of the current top three domestic automakers in the future. I would by a model S over a BMW or Benz any day. I do wonder how much the larger battery pack will be. Hopefully Tesla can drive down the price of the pack before they release the model s.

[daniel]

Originally Posted by efusco

Yea, I guess it is, but so what? Look at any TV commercial...

I'm sure you're right. Fortunately I cannot take your advice though (to look at a TV commercial) since I don't have a TV.

If I was looking for long-term investments, I'd think Tesla was a very good bet. At my age, though, I've got a very short time horizon.

[accordingly]

How does it fit 7 (5 adults 2 children)? Do the kids go in the hatch or something

[efusco]

Originally Posted by accordingly

How does it fit 7 (5 adults 2 children)? Do the kids go in the hatch or something

Exactly, there'll be rear facing jump seats in the back...supposedly. I'd rather have cargo space than jump seats, but Elon Musk has 5 kids I think and wanted to make sure the Model S would accomodate all of them.

[Zythryn]

There were a number of these 'jump seats' in station wagons in the 80s.
I don't really count them until I can see them, but 'technically' it is correct.

[usbseawolf2000]

I wonder if the battery pack will be different than the Roadster. The Roadster's pack is expected to last less than 5 years / 50,000 miles.

"Our testing and modeling indicate that a typical Tesla Roadster owner who drives 50,000 miles over five years should have about 70 percent of initial performance levels available. "
Source: Tesla Motors - FAQs

Industry standard for the end of life is 80% of initial performance. I wonder if Tesla use the price of the replacement battery to calculate the "total cost of ownership". If they simply compare the first 5 years of ownership then it is extremely misleading.

[efusco]

I believe they've given numbers closer to 80% at 7 years for the Tesla. We're expecting 2 different battery types. A style like being used in the roadster for the 160 & 230 mile packs, and a new lithium type for the 300 mile pack (sorry, I don't remember the exact type.)