(September 2, 2014 at 7:56 pm)Blackout Wrote:

(September 2, 2014 at 7:46 pm)pocaracas Wrote: That's.... quite a lot for people with an average income, around here.
But then, again, those people don't drive BMW's nor mercedes... they go for Fiat, Renault, Peugeot, Opel or Seat.... stuff on the sub-20k range.
But I'd like to see those who go for BMW's and Mercs to switch to something like a Tesla.
I already see a few people going for hybrids, like the Prius, so I guess there's a market on this side of the pond!

THat depends, I don't see many people here driving mercedes (But I'm not from Lisbon), but I see lots of people with BMW - My stepdad only buys BMW's and now he has a mercedes, and he has average income

You forgot "second hand"

(September 2, 2014 at 7:46 pm)pocaracas Wrote: That's.... quite a lot for people with an average income, around here.

They're planning a $35,000 version. Still not cheap, but much more affordable. IMO, until the necessary infrastructure develops (ie, charging stations) they're probably not going to offer a really low-cost model. If you can't park at home and charge it overnight, it might be more trouble than it's worth.

But I think it's a game-changer. It reminds me of the way digital formats have changed the music/movie industries. I can't recall the last time I bought a physical music CD, but it was probably in a year that started with "1." Other auto manufacturers may be looking for ways to slow Tesla's momentum, but my guess is that in the end they're going to have to come up with something better if they don't want to be left on the side of the road.

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(September 2, 2014 at 6:36 pm)Losty Wrote: I thought Tesla was the inventor of electricity? It's a car? Hmm...?

Tesla invented a lot of things. The Oatmeal is a good place to learn a few things about him. It's also a good place to get some impressions about the car.

Tesla should now push for a national standard for electric car charging station, so the big three, or two now, can't try to push a system of proprietary charging standards.

(September 2, 2014 at 8:14 pm)Chuck Wrote: Entry level Mercedes and BMW only cost about 20% more than the price of the median priced new car sold in the US, should be within reach of the roughly median income family in much of the US.

Mid range Mercedes and BMW, and entry level Tesla cost twice as much, and would appear to be targeted at family making $150K or above in yearly gross income based on the 20/4/10 rule often used in the American auto industry, which sets car affordability to having a Gross monthly income equal to 10 times the monthly payment of a 4 year car loan, with 20% down.

By those metrics, I could manage a car payment in excess of $1000/month.

The most expensive car I've ever bought was 16K used. New, just under 15K.

Fat chance.

(September 2, 2014 at 6:33 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote:

(September 2, 2014 at 6:30 pm)bladevalant546 Wrote: https://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/...35038.html

Yea, because Tesla is doing better they have to ban their sales....hmm wonderful capitalism.

A bit of hyperbole from the article "Imagine owning the most popular automaker in the United States..."

Most popular? I can't recall ever seeing a Tesla in person.

Really? I see them more than Ferrari these days.

(September 2, 2014 at 11:05 pm)Polaris Wrote:

(September 2, 2014 at 6:33 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: A bit of hyperbole from the article "Imagine owning the most popular automaker in the United States..."

Most popular? I can't recall ever seeing a Tesla in person.

Really? I see them more than Ferrari these days.

Is Ferrari even close to the "most popular automaker in the United States"?

(September 2, 2014 at 11:03 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote:

(September 2, 2014 at 8:14 pm)Chuck Wrote: Entry level Mercedes and BMW only cost about 20% more than the price of the median priced new car sold in the US, should be within reach of the roughly median income family in much of the US.

Mid range Mercedes and BMW, and entry level Tesla cost twice as much, and would appear to be targeted at family making $150K or above in yearly gross income based on the 20/4/10 rule often used in the American auto industry, which sets car affordability to having a Gross monthly income equal to 10 times the monthly payment of a 4 year car loan, with 20% down.

By those metrics, I could manage a car payment in excess of $1000/month.

The most expensive car I've ever bought was 16K used. New, just under 15K.

Fat chance.

Can afford and willing to pay are different things.

My sister in law is a marketing exec for Ford. I suspect she would consider you, provided you are relatively young and have no kids, to be in the target buyer demography for a tesla like car.

I suspect the Tesla S buyer pool has younger average age with higher proportion of double income, no kids families, that are willing to pay closer to affordability threshold than buyer pool of comparably priced cars from Mercedes and BMW.

So I would guessing the median income of Tesla buyers is probably slightly lower than the median income of the buyer of a comparably priced mid-range luxury car.

(September 2, 2014 at 11:08 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote:

(September 2, 2014 at 11:05 pm)Polaris Wrote: Really? I see them more than Ferrari these days.

Is Ferrari even close to the "most popular automaker in the United States"?

Amongst those who can afford a car of Tesla's status.

(September 2, 2014 at 11:13 pm)Polaris Wrote:

(September 2, 2014 at 11:08 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: Is Ferrari even close to the "most popular automaker in the United States"?

Amongst those who can afford a car of Tesla's status.

Maybe in SoCal. Not around here.

(September 2, 2014 at 11:13 pm)Polaris Wrote:

(September 2, 2014 at 11:08 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: Is Ferrari even close to the "most popular automaker in the United States"?

Amongst those who can afford a car of Tesla's status.

A person can afford a tesla if he/she can afford a $60-70K car.

How popular would you think Ferrari, starting at around $200k, is amongst that spending group?