Tesla's Model S Sedan Destroys Safety Tests ... Literally

[n2doc]

In the long history of automotive safety press releases, no carmaker has ever issued a statement quite like the one put out by Tesla Motors (TSLA) on Monday night.

The statement begins by looking at a battery of tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tesla’s Model S all-electric luxury sedan. The reader is quickly told that the Model S got a 5-star rating overall and a 5-star rating in all the subcategories. “Of all vehicles tested, including every major make and model approved for sale in the United States, the Model S set a new record for the lowest likelihood of injury to occupants,” Tesla said.

Ah, but being possibly the safest commercial car ever built is not good enough for Tesla and its chief executive officer, Elon Musk, who actually penned the press release. No, Tesla must inflict pain on the entire testing process and its pedestrian equipment.

And so, in paragraph No. 8, we learn that testers tried to crush the roof of the Model S. And we learn that the crusher was crushed. “Of note, during validation of Model S roof crush protection at an independent commercial facility, the testing machine failed at just above 4 g’s,” Tesla said. “While the exact number is uncertain due to Model S breaking the testing machine, what this means is that at least four additional fully loaded Model S vehicles could be placed on top of an owner’s car without the roof caving in.”

more

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-20/teslas-model-s-sedan-destroys-safety-tests-dot-dot-dot-literally

[MADem]

1. That would have been a good car to have when the highway pancaked during the Loma Prieta quake. nt

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. I'm glad for his success but I am reminded of a Simpsons joke

when the excellent Ed Begley, Jr. guested; before zipping off in an experimental vehicle he stated that it was entirely powered by his sense of self-satisfaction.

[sharp_stick]

3. Now if they can only provide one

that is remotely affordable and yet still have the same or even similar features.

It's one hell of a car and I would love to own one but at the base price of $71,000 - $7,500 (EV incentive) + home charging station it's still just a little out of reach.

I also wonder how you could offer a car at this price point and still call fog lamps an extra price option.

[n2doc]

4. Economics of scale aren't there yet

It is their first real mass produced model. Hopefully the price will come down further, but unless they build them in Mexico and figure out how to use off-the-shelf parts the price will always be high. At least it isn't 100K+ like the roadster.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

5. Some people don't understand business very well

This car is still in scale up phase. Costs can come down. You also have to look at total cost of ownership. Not having to buy gas every other week.

[sharp_stick]

6. I understand it pretty well

but thanks for the condescension I really appreciate it. Especially with such brilliant MBA level insights like "costs can come down".

[Silent3]

7. Yep. It's definitely possible, the other poster should realize, to understand the economics...

...in general, but still be annoyed at some of the petty ways the economics get expressed, like using overpriced options as a way to pay the bills.