Tesla co-founder expresses discontent over high-priced vehicles produced by the company
Tesla, the pioneering automaker and technology firm, was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning with a vision to revolutionise the automotive industry. Since then, the company has made significant strides, including the gradual launch of a robotaxi service and the production of innovative vehicles like the Cybertruck.
The Cybertruck, an electric pickup truck, made headlines for its unconventional design and the use of stainless steel panels. However, it's not sold in the European market due to not meeting pedestrian safety requirements.
Tesla is planning to release a more affordable electric car model, often referred to as the "Model 2." This compact EV is expected to be smaller and less expensive than the current Model Y, with prices starting around $16,990 for a Rear-Wheel Drive base version and a more expensive All-Wheel Drive variant also planned. The production is now expected in late 2025, following a slight delay from an earlier mid-2025 target, as Tesla focuses first on increasing Model Y deliveries before the US federal tax credits phase out.
The affordable Model 2 will be more basic compared to existing Teslas, featuring cloth seats without ventilation and a solid metal roof replacing the panoramic glass roof seen in higher-end models. The vehicle seen in recent test footage is estimated to be about 4.4 to 4.6 meters long, more compact than the current 4.8-meter Model Y, indicating a city-friendly, budget-focused design.
Tesla's move to build more affordable electric vehicles is motivated by the need to boost sales in a period of declining vehicle deliveries and revenue, aiming to expand accessibility to EV ownership. While the Model Y continues to get updates and new variants, the more affordable Tesla model seeks to bring Tesla's technology to a broader market segment by the end of 2025.
However, not all original Tesla founders are in agreement with these plans. Martin Eberhard, one of the co-founders, has criticised Tesla's lack of an affordable model and expressed disappointment that the company cancelled its affordable car program. Despite these criticisms, Eberhard has praised Musk for turning Tesla into one of the most valuable companies in the world.
Eberhard, who described Tesla's models after the Roadster as looking like a bar of soap in a wind tunnel, is not a fan of autonomous driving. His relationship with Musk has been strained, leading to tensions and a legal dispute.
In conclusion, Tesla's current plans involve launching a small, budget-friendly electric vehicle—the "Model 2"—priced around $17,000, with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options, aiming for a late 2025 debut. The company's plans for affordable electric cars have been a subject of criticism by one of the company's original founders, Martin Eberhard. Meanwhile, the Cybertruck, an innovative electric pickup truck, remains unavailable in the European market due to safety concerns.
- The world automotive industry is set for an innovative shakeup with Tesla planning to release a more affordable electric vehicle, the Model 2, which is expected to revolutionize transportation, making electric vehicle ownership accessible to a broader market segment.
- The financing aspect of Tesla's plans is crucial as the company aims to increase sales, especially in a period of declining vehicle deliveries and revenue, using technology to drive affordability and attract global finance in the growing electric vehicle industry.
- Despite the groundbreaking strides in finance and technology that Tesla has made in the industry, including the unconventional Cybertruck and the innovative robotaxi service, there are dissenting voices, such as those of original co-founder Martin Eberhard, who has criticized the lack of an affordable model in Tesla's lineup.
