Featured Model 3 has 310 mile range

We'll find out in 2022. Toyota is supposed to be releasing an electric vehicle with solid state batteries around then.

 

But that's still a big "if".

Interesting read. Toyota Global Site | EV Electric Vehicle

 

I don't think so. Based on the timelines of most other car companies to have mass market EVs by 2020 or 2021, as well as national pressure for more EVs in parts of Europe & Asia, the future of the electric vehicle seems very strong. And the fact that Toyota's new electric vehicle focus is led by Mr. Toyoda himself indicates they're taking it seriously.

 

Well...here's hoping their determination of "viable" and "supported" does better than their Fuel Cells did in this country at least. Compliance quotas don't do the rest of us any good...in the real world.

 

toyota is market driven, like most companies. a finger in the air, and regulations and tax incentives in hand, they'll do the right thing at the right time. for them.

 

Model S RWD service plan is $2335 for 4 years or $581.25. This is less than the more complicated X AWD - $2750. I really think the model 3 will be expensive like the model S RWD, but a little less, as I'm sure they are designing it to really only need inspections. The 4 year maintences is once a year or 12,500 which ever comes first. The big one at 4 years or 50,000 miles replaces the battery coolant. The replacing key fobs every year (part of the excessive maintenance) probably goes away as people will be using their phones as fobs. The rest of it, probably could be done at an oil change place and a tire place. Its inspecting or changing fluids, reading codes, rotating tires, checking alignment, checking brakes, changing wiper blades, etc. If there are codes its under warranty. All our oil change places in texas can read codes, they have to be able to do that for them to do inspections.

My guess is they will always come out to you if its a warranty issue. People will probably use other places for fluid, tires, and brakes if they don't live close to a service center. It seems like tesla is throwing out the dealership/maintenance model completely in the model 3, and can cut back on service centers and increase owner satisfaction if there is a minimum of maintenance. The big question is will this require a lot of warranty work like the initial model S's and X's, or are the kinks worked out. I have access to car2go, so if my model 3 is down for a repair, I can cheaply grab local cars, but those in more remote areas may want to wait and see.

On the tesla chargers, in texas it looked like I could put 130 miles in a 220 model version for about $2.40 if I charged at under 60kw, or $4.80 at faster speeds. Other states get charged by kwh or other methods. At $0.20/kwh that comes to about $7 for a charge of 130 miles. I believe the cars come with 400 kwh/year include, and if efficiency is 126 mpge, that works out to over 1400 miles a year included.

+1

 

Toyota already knows it is a viable market, and supported in the US and China. Toyota has been fighting it, because they think that it may not be as profitable in the US as their current cars given the structure of the dealer network. In China they are behind the other players, but will have a bev there soon.

 

I am of the opinion that Toyota US, for the most part us successful in spite of their dealer network, not because of it.

 

and true of all mfg.'s dealers, as far as my experience has shown.

 

I am not saying toyota dealers are unique, here, only that the toyota policy on BEVs seem dealership driven, instead of market driven. A lot of the bad decissions at the old gm where also because of its dealership model.

 

that may be, i haven't seen the evidence. the bolt just came out. as for other manufacturers, i don't see any commitment besides nissan, and they seem once burned, twice shy.

 

Gm is no better.... each dealership typically has just one "expert" for the Volt or Bolt... if you go in on their day off you're SOL.

Purchasing a "specialty" vehicle from either Toyota or GM seems to require a motivated buyer at a minimum.

 

My local salesman insisted Trim Two was only available with a black interior. He then refused to lower their price even though I said I was going to check elsewhere. Their loss, I guess

 

So what is the difference between the warranty service for a Tesla Model S or X and the service plan you cite lasting 4 years? What does that $2300-2700 entitle me to? Is it just online updates and an "inspection"? What repairs are covered? Is it bumper to bumper?

Is the service plan renewable? For how long at what rate?

I ask because my family has not seen an issue at either a big city Toyota dealer nor a small city dealer in terms of service on a 5+ year old hybrid Prius and the amount I've paid over 5 years plus and 43k miles comes out to about 1/4 of the Tesla plan. I like that a dealer is 2 miles from my house and will drop me off and pick me up even for oil change services which are free as long as I own the car. Though I pay for some of mine as I do oil changes at 5k rather than the recommended 10k.

 

The service plan is simply prepaid service. I believe you can get an extended service plan if you want.
Service plans for luxury vehicles in that price range tend to be much more expensive than those for a Prius or Camry.

I also get free oil changes for the life of the car

 

Our Range Rover & hybrid Lexus SUV extended warranty plans were around $2K each, + you'd have to pay the 1st $50 or so. And those were a lot of years ago.
.

 

Software updates have always been free and I would say with some certainty that they will continue to be.

 

Where does the oil go? On the door hinges?

Mike

 

All over the car to reduce air resistance.

 

well there is sealed lubricant in many areas ;-) The motor oil and oil filter though are free for life because they are not used on the car. I'm sure some parts need periodic lubrication, but have no idea what.

I think that is wax, and you need to pay for that, and is optional. Some put special slick unobtainium coats over cars, then simply wash. It deepends. Snake oil I've heard will make the car practically invisible to the air, and I will sell members of prius chat my special blend for a low low price.