I’m enjoying this. Also Musk went out and said that he wants barriers on trade or else the Chinese companies will dominate the market.

I thought Musk would be happy, because he truly wants to save the planet doesn’t he? It shouldn’t matter if he or someone else makes the best electric cars then?

  • @MondayToFriday@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    English
    7810 months ago

    Could it be because among affluent, environmentally conscious consumers, it’s no longer cool to be driving a car made by an unhinged right-wing narcissist?

    Musk said on the earnings call that his concern would be, given his current shareholding, that he will have “so little influence” in the future that some major shareholder could strip away his control or make a bad decision.

    Or could it be a consequence of dumping shares to fund a megalomaniacal need to own a social media platform?

    • @ryathal@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      4010 months ago

      I’d say it’s more that he’s saturated the early adopter market. Selling to a more cost and quality conscious market is harder. The fact consumer reports rates their cars less reliable than McDonald’s ice cream machines is a bigger problem than Musk’s ego.

      • Neuromancer
        link
        fedilink
        English
        1410 months ago

        I have no major issues with my car but for the money, the build quality was crappy. It’s not what you’d expect for a car of that cost.

      • @Kidplayer_666@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        English
        -410 months ago

        Might be different over there, but here Teslas are a great deal. There aren’t yet a lot of cheaper cars than the model 3, and none can beat the range at its price. Compared to Volkswagen, you get a prettier car, with more range and a heck of a lot better infotainment system, as well as some neat included features (like heated seats)

        • @MondayToFriday@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          English
          410 months ago

          Electric cars generally have heated seats. Since heat doesn’t come as a free byproduct, it’s more efficient to keep occupants warm by heating the seats than the air.

        • @Mr_Blott@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          410 months ago

          A) There are way cheaper alternatives, with better build quality

          B) A Tesla will flat out lie to you about its range

          • @Kidplayer_666@lemm.ee
            link
            fedilink
            English
            110 months ago

            First, the only range that I consider is the one that is brought by standardised tests, such as WLTP and EPA standards. While they may not be realistic (WLTP in particular is terrible) but at least they give a consistent frame of comparison.

            Now, if there are better alternatives, do present me with some! The only remotely interesting one i can think about is the ioniq 5, but hyundai in my country has their head up their butt, and you can’t see prices on their website. From external reviews, the 5 is competitive with the long range Model 3 from tesla. However, on the lower end, the only real alternatives I am aware of are from Volkswagen, which A are more expensive with a lower WLTP range estimate, B are smaller and in my opinion look kinda boring, and C probably have a way worse infotainement system (although I’m curious if Volkswagen has managed to fix it, I’ve heard mixed things about their latest models).

    • squiblet
      link
      fedilink
      2010 months ago

      “or make a bad decision” is hilarious. Like say, insist that the company spend 4 years developing a bizarrely impractical truck that Elton himself said they “dug their own grave” with?

      Musk said, adding that he’s “not looking for additional economics; I just want to be an effective steward of powerful technology.”

      Oh yes, we all believe this techno Jesus crap at this point. Right.