Was at a ‘Friendsgiving’ and a guy was talking about the Tesla Model 2 being an entry-level Tesla that would rival the Toyota Camry pricewise. But I don’t see why Tesla would cut into their Model 3’s sales like that. Plus the model 3 is fairly cheap nowadays with price cuts

  • Infinityaero@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Rumors of an imminent launch of one are not legit. Seems to be vaporware; may get the parts bin special quick release which would still be at least 2 years and would require heavily recycling components from the Model 3.

    There really isn’t that much room in the margins to go all that cheaper than Model 3. They can go with a smaller battery, and a cheaper/smaller motor. Have to design a new likely smaller platform at that point, or use the rapidly aging Model 3 platform to avoid R&D and engineering costs. Could go cloth and even cheaper materials for the interior; smaller screen, no sensors or cameras for autopilot. Does that get them to $15K cheaper to make than a Model 3? I dunno, that’s a tough ask.

    If they’d spent the last 5 years trying instead of working on CT, company would be much better off.

    • feurie@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Or if you paid attention to their investor day you’d see it’s a completely different way of building the car as well as much cheaper next generation parts.

      It’s literally the opposite of just using the Model 3 parts bin as you’re suggesting.

    • Simon676@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Rapidly aging Model 3 platform? What? That platform is crazy good, think what you want about Tesla but that car has so many efficient technologies in place that all other manufacturers have yet to catch up to even now.

      • Infinityaero@alien.topB
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        1 year ago

        It’s a 6 year old platform. We make fun of the charger for being on a 20 year old platform you really want Model 3 to follow that approach? 6-10 years is a pretty normal cycle. Most manufacturers have more then 2 or 3 vehicle platforms. The platform is admirably light but that’s really the main advantage over competitors, whose platforms are typically stiffer.

        It’s also a large platform for a theoretically $15K cheaper car. Why use a midsize platform for a entry level spec car? FWD might make sense, for instance, since half the US market lives where they get adverse weather at least a couple times a year. Requiring AWD for traction will defeat entire purpose of a cheap car if it’s locked behind a $7500 increase to the price.

        You guys need some new talking points to reflect the fact the rest of the world has caught up. Nobody is impressed anymore by what Tesla released 6 years ago. Nobody believes things are coming “next quarter!” After being lied to repeatedly. Cybertruck appears to be on a modified Y platform instead of being a sealed exoskeleton that can float. Semi range is laughable and Pepsi drivers hate them.

        Imagine all the resources they threw at the CT going to this.

        • CB-OTB@alien.topB
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          1 year ago

          Can you provide more information on the cybertruck sitting on a model y platform?

          • Infinityaero@alien.topB
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            1 year ago

            Modified was key word there but I’ll accept that’s a bit of a stretch on my part. The rear gigacasting shares a lot of design elements and much of the basic geometry on its lower end with the Model Y rear subframe. The casting itself is much larger & has a lot of structural reinforcement that’s completely unnecessary on the Y.

            From the leaked photos it looks to be a very car like suspension design.

            I half wonder if changing course and lowering it, losing the air ride suspension and just marketing it as a ute would be a bigger winner. It seems like it might actually do well as a sportier car like vehicle. Could still keep the high tow and haul ratings. Prob look pretty cool slammed on some 18s with thin rubber and would put any 60s El Camino or 2000s Aussie ute to shame on a drag strip.

          • Infinityaero@alien.topB
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            1 year ago

            The Dodge seems like a better comp to me personally, since both are 4 door sedans. Teslas are kinda muscle sedans if you think about it. Fast as heck in a straight line but even M3 performance isn’t really something you’d take canyon carving.

    • MrGruntsworthy@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Seems to be vaporware

      They were just about to break ground on a Mexico factory specifically to produce it, before the Mexican government fucked them over. What the fuck are you talking about?

      Model 3 is a rapidly aging platform

      The heck are you even talking about? It’s the most competitive EV on the market. Just got refreshed with Highland.

      If they’d spent the last 5 years trying instead of working on CT, company would be much better off.

      Small minds think in small scales. It’s not an ‘A or B’ approach–Tesla is such a massive company they can work on both, simultaneously.

    • Grendel_82@alien.topB
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      1 year ago

      Definitely more than rumor as Tesla puts it in their presentations as part of their plan. I’m thinking smaller battery and smaller car, but also maybe less sensors for auto drive features. Obviously going to be called 2 because it won’t be as good as 3 and the lineup will then be 2 S3XY. 3 could be improved and increase in price from where it is now (we don’t know what Highlander 3 will price at in the US) and 2 could have that $15k gap. Might still be five years out though. Actually probably still five years out with the CT issues taking up time.