And, for your consideration

"SBA Thanks You For All The Fish" (santabarbarianlsx)
05/12/2020 at 01:01 • Filed to: None

I give you, without further ado, Maximum Bob.

DISCUSSION (15)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 12:22

He didn’t say it the w ay I could, but yes: design matters!

I have to enjoy looking at what I drive, and even better if it earns “the look-back” on a regular basis.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/12/2020 at 12:24

It’s funny how basic that is, but so compelling. I”m re-watching Mad Men again here in isolation and it’s funny how much of their work boils down to stripping away the fluff to get to those prime motivations... And car design does matter. What it says, how it communicates.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 12:24

Hate to hear him basically shrugging off the whole sports car segment...

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/12/2020 at 12:27

Yeah, but as always, he has a point. The segment is tiny... In GM’s case, one new variation on a Silverado generates far more contribution margin to the business case.

I’ve often wondered why Musk is even bothering with Roadster-II, for much the same reason. You could sell a million trucks or 10,000 Roadsters... why bother?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 12:30

We like to think we’re complex, but in the end, humans are pretty simple creatures with simple motivations.

Design matters, but there’s no accounting for taste - ha!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 12:38

Yeah, I know, but aspirational cars do serve a purpose.

The new Roadster already has made big headlines and gotten lots of attention, and considering the promises he’s made and how much money he’s holding in deposits, they have to make it (unless they go bankrupt).

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/12/2020 at 12:57

Well, the Semi got big headlines, but it’s about as likely to make it to market. Both are years late. At some point the unfulfilled promises will catch up to them, you’d think?

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/12/2020 at 13:51

Of course, I say that, but apparently GM sees a huge demand, and a lot of margin potential, in the C8 so they have put a very high priority on production for that program.

So, maybe Musk does sell a million of his Roadsters...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 14:02

Tesla is “Lost World” - ha! We’ll see how long the hype can last.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 14:03

You’d think!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 14:07

The C8 will be huge demand, and profit margin, for a couple years (while the excitement level is high, but before long, there’s a next new thing). They get a little bump when the Z06 comes out, but that’s still just a blip in the scheme of things.

No way a million at the price point, but I can see him stealing considerable sales from other supercar maker s. It’s fantastic performance for the price.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/12/2020 at 14:14

It’s funny how The Tesla Effect is so effective against certain brands... Tesla buyers and BMW buyers have a high brand overlap.

I can’t see as much overlap between, say, Tesla Roadster2 and 911 GT3RS? Maybe a bit more overlap with Ferrari? And,, given the ‘techno theme’ maybe a lot more with the Lambo line-up? I genuinely don’t know... who’s cross-shopping in that category?? I assume the reason Ferrari can hold margins so well is because their buyers aren’t cross-shopping against an R8 as much?

It will be fascinating... brand is very, very powerful in those price echelons.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 14:40

A high number of Porsche GT cars end up at the track, so probably not much. For Ferrari buyers, likely only a Ferrari will do. For Lamborghini and McLaren buyers, I’d guess they’d definitely entertain a Tesla.

How much is the sound these machines make part of the supercar experience? For some, it’s high on the list. It’s very important to me as a sports car buyer.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish
05/12/2020 at 15:05

Lutz has been predicting Tesla’s demise for years - we’ll see when and if it actually happens! LOL

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/12/2020 at 15:26

Excellent thought. McLaren (which should be in my wheelhouse but never is...) is the brand-equivalent. Numbers car, ultra-high-performance, very tech-centric.

Yeah, half the thrill of a Ferrari is The Wail...