September 2, 2015
This is the moment wealthy soccer moms have been waiting for; at last, Tesla Motors has started taking customization orders for the Tesla Model X. For a while, it had gotten to point where the electric auto company’s prestige for its technical prowess, had been surpassed by its notoriety for delays. I cannot think of any delivery Elon Musk has made on its original projected date... post PayPal. Which, to be honest, I can care less about; the Tesla Model X is two years behind, but if the track record set by the Model S is anything to go by, finally is only a problem on the company’s shoulders. Realistically speaking, if one can afford to buy a car for a median price of 100,000 mcdoubles, they can also wait a year or two to drive it. The only trim level that is accepting customization orders thus far, is the top tier signature level with a 90 kWh battery, which starts at $130,000 or $140,000 with the ludicrous upgrade. However, it is highly likely that the average price of Model X deliveries will be $100,000 which is about twice the national median household income, with the signature package being twice the average income. That said, the only one with their neck on the line is Tesla Motors itself. Musk’s optimistic projections, while quite impressive only erode the consumers’ trust. Which, the company depends on, since they do not even have the means to produce their projections on their own dime. In fact, they will be selling more shares of the company soon, because they are dangerously close to running out of money. In fact, there is a debate on whether or not the company even makes money on the sale of each car. History however, shows to be in favor of risk takers. The cocky optimism of entrepreneurs typically plays in their favor. Outlandish statements turn heads, and they do not turn if the delivery is delayed. The problem is, faces may sour while they wait, but all will be forgiven if the product is as ostensibly flawless as the Model S. The Tesla Model X delays never derailed the overall project, which was always on track, if not on schedule, but adding ‘finally’ to the delivery description has only allowed established competitors to capitalize and catch up. Now, major names have their own versions of an electric SUV in the works. Granted, none will beat the September 29th delivery date, but very few Tesla supporters will actually be able to drive their investment in 2015. Once a company like Audi can dedicate factory space for an E-tron SUV, deliveries will begin booming from day one. As impressive as Tesla Motors is, Audi is daunting competition for any automotive company. It is arguably the best auto maker in the world, truth in engineering is not an exaggeration. Jaguar’s F-Pace is also likely to have a powertrain staring squarely at the Model X. They have already trademarked “EV-type” which means they definitely have an electric vehicle in the works, the only question is whether it will be the F-Type, F-Pace or both. Either way, the car will undoubtedly be handsome… far more so than the Model X which I am not a huge fan of. Speaking of handsome, Aston Martin will also be releasing a model for each of the existing Tesla Motors Models. While they did help with the design of the Model S, their A-game only comes with an Aston Martin wingspan badge. However, Aston Martin’s models are aimed at an even higher income bracket. They are going back to their custom coachbuilding premium pedigree. So they will not be stealing too many sales from the all electric car company. Whether or not finally is affixed to the Tesla Model X story is irrelevant, it will undoubtedly be a phenomenal SUV on the right side of history’s track. However, it will have to earn its place on a pedestal in a way the Model S never had to. The Model S was so far ahead of the competition that there was no stopping its star appeal, but the Model X has Audi, Jaguar, and Aston Martin nipping at its heels… and those automakers all assemble autos even more aesthetically appealing than Tesla Motors. In fact, the Model S is the bastard child of Jaguar and Aston styling.