Tesla to Mitt Romney: Who's the Loser Now?

[The Straight Story]

Tesla to Mitt Romney: Who's the Loser Now?

At an event in New York City Monday evening, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that his company's Model S sedan has been named Motor Trend's Car of the Year. The all-electric sedan, which I reviewed for Slate earlier this year, was a unanimous choice, beating out the Porsche 911, the new Ford Fusion, and the Honda Accord, among others, said Motor Trend Editor in Chief Ed Loh. This is the first time in the award's 64-year history that it has gone to a car without an internal combustion engine. Loh said the award was based on the car's overall excellence, not simply the fact that it's electric. He pointed out to me that it's the fastest American-built sedan on the market, posting 0-60 times as low as 3.9 seconds. Add in its handling, ultra-quiet motor, and the fact that it requires no fuel, and Loh said it was an easy pick for the honor.

Musk was typically unrestrained at the news, predicting people will look back on it as "a point at which the gears of history moved." He said he hoped "that other car companies will in fact copy us and pursue their own electric car programs with greater vigor as a result of this award." Tesla's own next moves involve developing a more affordable model than the luxurious Model S, which starts at a hefty $57,400 for the base model before a $7,500 federal tax credit.

In an October presidential debate, Mitt Romney jeered that Tesla, Solyndra, and others were "losers" that had proven bad bets for loans from the Obama administration. Musk stayed silent then, but he couldn't resist a little gloating on Monday. Recalling Romney's remark that Tesla was a loser, he said, "In retrospect he was right about the object of that statement, but not the subject."

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/11/12/elon_musk_s_tesla_model_s_is_first_all_electric_car_to_win_motor_trend_car.html

[liberal N proud]

1. Kick him while he is down!

I love the fact that the Tesla sedan is Car of the Year for this reason as well as it is a kick ass car.

[gateley]

2. I've been a Tesla champion from their beginning -- so happy for them, and

so love being able to slap Romney down!

[Motown_Johnny]

4. Have you seen the Model S ?

It really is revolutionary (IMO).

The way they store the batteries is brilliant. I expect all electric car designs to follow suit.

[liberal N proud]

10. It is a sweet looking ride

I have had the opportunity to get up close with one, not driving but close enough to see the level of detail and quality.

Their hard work is paying off and if I can ever afford one, I would be looking their way.

[gateley]

11. Yep --

I'm on their mailing list so get the updates and links to the launch.

I think everything about Tesla has been brilliant since Day 1!

[Motown_Johnny]

14. I was always a fan too but this thing is well beyond anything else they have done (IMO)

I go to the Detroit Auto Show most every year and the S was at last years. They even had one without the chassis so you could see all the workings.

It really is revolutionary.

When they come out with one that lists around 40K then the Volt is going to be in big trouble.

[gateley]

15. I think they've got some kind of SUV-ish thing in the pipeline that's around that

price point?

I couldn't understand why, a few years back, Obama was talking about hybrids -- like there wasn't an electric option! Granted, the Roadster was beyond most people's means, but the very auto makers who were charged with producing hybrids could have taken a lesson from Tesla and moved right on to EV.

Then all of a sudden, it seemed that electric was on everybody's radar, thank God -- and I think Tesla played a big part in that.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

3. Elon Musk is a doer - risking his money to bring new technology into the world

A difference in night and day between Musk and Romney regarding the types of businessmen they are.

[uponit7771]

5. Yeap, I pray they go to a larger production of those cars so I can get one used...

[Motown_Johnny]

6. Musk 2016 ?

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. I don't think he was born in the U.S.

and I'm not sure about his politics. But I admire the fact he risked his own personal fortune to develop that space rocket when no other investors believed in his dream. He's pro science and pro advancement. Romney is pro corporate raiding and filling his own bank account.

[Motown_Johnny]

9. He was born in South Africa, but we can always fake another Birth Certificate.

Besides, he is white. The (R)s would never think he was born in Africa.

[FogerRox]

12. brought a smile to my face.

I fear you are right, they would never suspect. Well except fo rthe fact that ELon is now fairly well known. Space -X and all.....

[fujiyama]

13. Between Tesla and SpaceX he's one of those rare CEOs that is truly visionary

He's incredibly smart and has a great entrepreneurial spirit. He's risked a lot on both companies.

[EOTE]

7. I'm pretty sure that the CTS-V is quicker.

Most tend to get 0-60 times of around 3.5 seconds or so with the stick. And I'm sure the difference would become greater if you look at metrics such as quarter mile times as electric vehicles favor their torque down low. That being said, I'm extremely glad to see Tesla getting its props.