Tesla Energy
Tesla going full speed in developing Nevada factory, but auditing lags
But despite exceeding expectations in production, the factory is behind in meeting transparency requirements state lawmakers mandated during the special session. Tesla was required to submit an annual compliance audit by Aug. 1., according to Brad Mamer, GOED’s business development director, who has been overseeing the project. After the August deadline, state economic development officials gave Tesla a second extension until Oct. 1, a deadline the company missed. Officials extended the deadline again, and no date is scheduled for the audit's release.
Australia’s largest electric utility starts selling the Tesla Powerwall
Origin has 4.2 millions grid customers nationally and more than 400,000 solar customers, according to The Australian. The company will sell the Powerwall combined with a solar installation including Trina solar panels and a SolarEdge inverter starting from $16,500 AUD ($12,000 USD). Households equipped with the system will be able to use solar power even when the sun is down, further reducing their use of the electric grid, and also have access to energy in case of a power outage.
Model S
Tesla starts testing software v7.1 with an updated UI, a new self-parking feature, ‘Driver Mode’ and Autopilot restrictions
Tesla appears to be introducing new constraints to bring back the focus of the Autopilot on highway driving, which is virtually unaffected by the new restrictions. The auto-steering feature of the Autopilot is now limited to 45 mph (72 km/h) on single lane roads with markings. The active cruise control (TACC) of the Autopilot appears so far to be unaffected by the changes. v7.1 beta also includes a new feature to open your garage door automatically via HomeLink, which could be a precursor to summoning the car/Autopark from outside the vehicle feature.
Tesla is selling iPhone cases made from leftover seat leather
Tesla's Model S has become one of the most desirable cars in the country, so Elon Musk's company ramped up production to the tune of 50,000 cars a year. That means more materials and, inevitably, more waste. With that waste comes opportunity, which is why Tesla is using the leftover leather from all the upholstery to make iPhone cases. Yes, for $45, Tesla will let you wrap your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus with leather that was originally supposed to pad your bottom.
Tesla Begins Mexican Operations, Opens Model S Bookings
Tesla Motors has started the commercialization of its electric car, the Model S, in Mexico. Customers can book the vehicle through the automaker’s website for a payment of 80,000 pesos ($4,701.2). The prices of Model S for the country are expected to start from $75,000 plus taxes, according to sources.
TSLA
Tesla is copying Apple's business model
Now let's talk about Tesla. Their endgame is to be like Apple, but for cars. That means selling a high-margin product, but at volume competing against other lower-priced competitors. That car will probably be the Model 3, a $35k car that sells against a Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, and BMW i3. To get there, Tesla needs to first create a brand, namely "it's what the cool people drive". Branding isn't your name, logo, motto, or anything conscious. Branding is about unconconscious emotions. People move from Android to iPhones (and rarely the other direction) simply because of the emotional feeling that it's why the cool kids own. It's like buying a kid an XBox for Christmas, which objectively meets the kid's needs better any other console, but having the kid cry because all the cool kids at school have PlayStations. Tesla is trying to create a brand that'll cause kids to cry if you don't buy them one when they turn 18.
The Most Innovative Companies 2015
The importance of these attributes can also be seen in this year’s list. Apple and Google again hold the top two spots. Tesla Motors, which has been moving up the list at the speed of one of its Model S sedans, reached number three.
Exclusive Tesla Factory Images and Video
A friend of mine, who’s name is Jean Lemieux and is CEO of The Car Guide, got the chance to make Fremont’s factory tour last week! And, I can’t believe it, he was granted permission to take pictures and movies of the famous Tesla Model X, at various stages of the assembly line!
Other News
Hyperloop Tech announces a new “open-air” test track capable of 335 mph in Nevada by early 2016
Hyperloop Technologies Inc. announced today a deal with Nevada officials to build a new test track for “Propulsion Open Air Test” (POAT) in the state. Hardware will begin arriving this month at the Apex Industrial Park in the City of North Las Vegas, and testing should begin in early 2016.
Promotion
Ride the Lightning: Tesla Motors Unofficial Podcast
"Tesla Motors enthusiasts looking for a show about the latest news and analysis on the all-electric high-performance vehicle company need look no further. Ride the Lightning: Tesla Motors Unofficial Podcast is a weekly show made for Tesla fans and owners by Tesla community veteran Ryan McCaffrey."