Tesla's Model S sedan is expected to hit the roads in 2012, expanding the company's target market beyond the boutique Roadster with a vehicle that offers practical space and a range in the vicinity of 300 miles. But what else is in the pipe? CEO Elon Musk has hinted at the possibility of producing a number of models using a common platform – these could include a crossover SUV, a van and a cabriolet.
The potential for new models is being raised by Musk as part of a roadshow presentation for the company's IPO in which it aims to sell 10 million shares at between $14 and $16.
There's very little detail on the possible additions to the Tesla line-up apart from the renderings above, but we'd love to see the cabriolet reach production - it looks stunning!
Via Wired.
I am not knocking the idea of a profit but Edison gets much credit for being a genius when there were greater minds. Tesla worked for Edison at one time. When in his employ, Edison told Tesla that if he could work out a solution for an electric motor problem he had, that he (Edison) would pay him (Tesla) a $50,000 bonus. Working tirelessly after hours he came up with the solution which in turn earned Edison millions in revenues. When Tesla approached Edison about the bonus, Edison looked at him and said "Oh you have to learn when an American is joking!"
Tesla left his employ and never again worked for him! In the history books, people such as Edison eventually are painted with the correct brush. His once glossy image is now quite marred in my mind! Tesla was a true philanthropist and cared about how he could improve the human condition.
When working for Westinghouse, he had earned huge sums in royalties. When the company was struggling financially and Westinghouse was determining the best course of action, Tesla, upon realizing the greatest debt dragging down the firm were his royalties, ripped up the contracts and gave up the royalties. He could have been the richest man in the world off his inventions. Instead he has a legacy untainted which gets better with age, whereas Edison's legacy is not so shiny.
Elon Musk seems to be a visionary first and a businessman second. I hope he is more like Tesla than Edison.