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painful to listen to those two for long, but it is interesting.

 

I set the playback speed to the maximum. Jack has good information but like Mark Twain’s Jumping Frog tale, a little long on the tooth.

Bob Wilson

 

I’m on cell phone which makes citing sources difficult. My memory is the Model S/X is around 21-22% and the Model 3 around 18%. Others may have the Q3 2019 sources handy.

A lot of the early money was plant and equipment along with R&D.

Bob Wilson

 

That is very simplistic as it ignores the capital investment into factories and Superchargers. That isn't losses, but purchasing investments with value.

 

What’s the drag coefficient on that thing...?

Looks as cornered as a Lamborghini.

 

So let's assume that Tesla produced an 18% profit on a $90,000 average price per unit. At 410,000 units that would be $36,900,000,000 ($36.9 billion) in total sales, with an 18% profit would equal $6.642 billion in gross profit. I just don't see profits on the horizon. I recall reading somewhere that Tesla spent more than $6.5 billion for the cost of cash alone based on SEC filings. I mean, really, how much cash has Tesla burned in the last 10 years? $20 billion? How long will it take them to recover $20 billion at 18% gross profit? Now my head hurts.

But to each his own. I find the move to the stainless steel rolled can shape interesting, but wonder how such a vehicle could be modified by the purchaser (adding a fifth-wheel hitch, for instance -- who has the ability to drill SS 301?) how such a vehicle could be repaired (if at all), how the vehicle will fair in crash tests (where crumple zones are the order of the day), and how Tesla will match their stated price points.

 

So if all the costs are divided up by the cars only, does that mean the doubling of the world's battery production cost nothing?
The new factory in China was free?
The buildout of a worldwide charging network was free?
All the people working at Tesla are doing so for no pay?

Every production model Tesla makes is done so at a gross margin far beyond that of most other car manufacturers.
To grow as fast as Tesla has in such a short time takes a lot of capital. So yes, they have been pouring money into expanding.
Most thought it wasn't possible, yet here we are

 

No tech specs on the vehicle at all. Total weight??? Battery pack details??? Drag numbers??? Charge times??? To quote the apostle Paul, "We all see now as through a glass darkly..."

The other thing I haven't heard anyone talking about are the suspension components. Air bags are one thing, but what about the rest of the geometry and pieces? And how long will those air bags last when Jim Bob, Earl and a couple of other southern fatty pants' do a duke boys in it?

 

Really? I didn't know that. Where can I review that data?

 

ir.tesla.com

For 3rd quarter (2019), automotive gross margins were about 23%. Your $90,000 number is WAY off though. It is closer to $55k.
Positive free cash flow last quarter as well. Doubtful it will be positive for the year, but they are getting very close to that as well.

 

Just a SWAG, TSLA may have plans that out last both of our remaining lifespans.

Bob Wilson

 

I was interested in Telsa Financial situation hearing others talk about it.

Here is what Market Watch reports for Telsa Financial History

TSLA | Tesla Inc. Annual Cash Flow Statement | MarketWatch

 

that is a very positive trend!

and it doesn't even include 2019, which is a breakthrough year

 

I wasn't that crazy about the Model Y. But this one. Could be the first and Tesla model I may actually buy. I love the idea of solar charging and air suspensions. I don't know how well they will hold up in real world all terrain road conditions. If they can have the million mile batteries ready that is the icing on the cake. Who knows. For insurance I may just get liability. Because that may be the biggest cost after purchase. The exoskeleton alone could be strong enough to survive flipping off a road. Or even a mountain? And the occupants still survive and the car still running? Nothing like this exists and Tesla does not plan to make new models after this for a long while.

 

I'm the same... I think people will love the look of these cars once you get 'em all geared up with racks and decorative accessories. As it looks right now, it just a rough sketch...

 

Most people die in crashes because of the collisions between THEIR skeleton and THEIR organs (like the skull and the brain). No amount of stainless steel can stop those collisions. Survive? Maybe. Recover fully? No.

 

Tesla Kristallnacht – The CyberTruck Wardrobe Malfunction
Article By Jack Rickard On November 25, 2019 "ASTONISHINGLY successful"
Tesla Kristallnacht - The CyberTruck Wardrobe Malfunction - EVTV Motor Verks

 

This has already been posted earlier in this thread - without any further mention...

I look forward to crash testing results. I'd also like to see comparative twist testing to other full frame pickups.

As a long time pickup truck owner, who actually uses it to haul, tow, plow, etc., I am used to beating on mine, and expecting it to hold up. Regardless of any other comparison discussed between the Tesla and other pickups, I would need to know that the Tesla pickup structure will take a hard beating without going wonky over time. My other concern is what kind of results should be expected including the cost to repair damage after an impact. Many body shops may lack the equipment and expertise to deal with the construction of the Tesla pickup.

Hauling heavy loads over uneven terrain, and pounding a snow-plow blade repeatedly into snow piles requires a strong structure. If all this ends up being is another poser pickup offering that isn't designed as an actual (heavy-duty) work truck, then I will not be buying.

 

I am reminded of our old Grandma's observation: "…it never ceases to amaze me as to what folk would rather have than money!" (…good old Gran!! ) Happy Thanksgiving! to everyone here @ PriusChat!

 

As a proud Tesla non-owner, I wholeheartedly half-disagree with your stance. In the past few years we all (should) have learned to stop worrying and trust Musk to do his thing. Musk starts with a vision that becomes a concept that becomes a plan and a goal; technical and operational details follow, creating a path to that goal.

Compare this to those other car makers, whose "future" is the end of the current quarter, and the means of getting there are imagination-free, risk-avoiding variations on the existing tech and operational models.

Our household shouldn't need a new car for another 5 years, so we will just sit back and watch the e-Truck tussle with great interest and minimal pressure to take sides