The Tesla Roadster repricing debacle is continuing to gather steam and turn into a full on nightmare for Tesla.
It all started when last week Tesla Motors announced that the new much-anticipated Tesla Roadster electric vehicle would be a lot more expensive than what they first claimed it would be. Customers who had locked in on specific vehicles three months before the Tesla Roadster’s build time now found that their choices had been “unlocked” and what they had committed to was now worth significantly more.
CEO Elon Musk recently sent out an email that attempted to explain the causes behind the price hike. The email stated that the price increase was necessary so that Tesla Motors could show they can make a profit so that they can secure loans to help produce the Tesla S. The problem occurred when Tesla realized that the cost of building a Roadster was $140,000. Not good considering the vehicle was originally slated to sell for $92,000.
Apparently the email did little to ease the anger of those who feel like the company pulled a fast one on them. Now Musk is calling two meetings in Los Angeles and Menlo, CA where the Tesla Roadsters were sold in hopes of being able to personally soothe over the bad blood that Tesla Motors has created with many of its customers.




June 29th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Let me get this straight: a $140,000 car that happens to be electric is an economy car? Wait. I have to go stop my cat from laughing itself to death.