Tesla Chronicles #17 - Change is Constant

(Posted to Facebook 7/25/2022)

EVs ARE the future. After 1 year of driving our Tesla Model Y, I am convinced. So much so that I likely won’t buy another gas vehicle in my lifetime. We have taken many long trips without issue (challenges, but no issues). Sure, long trips are longer in an EV, but that will improve quickly over the next ten years. Charging an EV will soon take no longer than a gas fill up. Our Model Y is a beast in the snow. Cold temps shorten the range a bit because of energy needed for keeping the cabin warm, but not really enough to change how you driver or where you can go.

(The one exception is towing. Until trailers get more aerodynamic, gas/diesel trucks will be the best option for long towing trips / camping).

After 1 year and over 21k miles, I have zero regrets. It has honestly been the best car we have every owned. We saved over $3000 in gas, and I expect that to increase in the coming years as gas prices have gone up significantly this past year. They have settled but will likely continue back up soon.

Tesla gets this (change is constant)….and they have built their cars around this fundamental tenant. Their entire business model has been built around controlling the things that have the most potential to impact their core business. Many peopl hate them for this, but it is sort of brilliant.

Unfortunately, just about all the other automakers are struggling to adapt. Today, I had two examples, proof of that fact in the mail.

The first example was a post card from our local Mazda Dealership encouraging us to stop by to check out the 2022 models. The only problem is that they have ZERO cars on the lot (pictured). They are literally selling every every car they can get their hands on…. So they are just wasting money on advertising. These dealerships also haven’t figured out that they need to keep inventory around for test drives, nor have they figured out a way to queue people up in an ordering system. It is pure luck to catch them at a time right when they have a new car headed their way. This is not a good way to sell cars (from the perspective of the consumer). People I know looking at Mazdas, Toyotas, Hondas, Hyundais, are very frustrated. At least with American cars (Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, and Tesla), you can place an order and wait your turn.

Second example today was a letter from the Hyundai dealership, trying to sell my wife and extended warranty on MY Tesla. Mistake 1 - her name is not on the car at all Mistake 2 - they have the wrong model (it’s a Y not a 3) Mistake 3 - they listed numerous repairs their extended warranty covered that an EV will NEVER need. Transmission, transfer case, Engine control module, navigation (like they would know where to start with the Tesla main computer and screen). It is just ridiculous. It amazes me that they at least have not figured out how to adjust one of these policies for EV specific things. Batteries and motors mostly, but the thing is, they are already covered by the manufacturers.

The classic automakers are being left in the dust by newcomers (Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Aptera) and the Chinese (there are several automakers in China that are making fantastic EVs) with the exception of maybe KIA, Hyundai, VW, Ford, and maybe Volvo and GM….

VW board just fired the CEO because they don’t like his huge push into EVs, I am worried this will really send them backwards.

I should say 50% of Ford. They smartly broke essentially into two different companies…Electric and ICE. At least the my can operate independently.

Volvo - “committed” to 100% Electric by 2030. They have some compelling models, but we’ll see if they can deliver.

GM has had the Chevy Bolt for several years and it has been rather successful. The Either problem is twofold. Battery issues have been a PR nightmare, and they haven’t actually built any of the other EVs they are trying to push. The Hummer EV is a joke. The Cadillac lineup has a little promise…..

And then you have Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, Nissan (Leaf was OK, but hasn’t changed in a decade), and Subaru who are all basically missing in action.

Hopefully the number of new EVs that will be available in the next 2-3 years will result in prices coming down.