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That's a very well-balanced assessment of Tesla, IMO. This report highlights two fundamental questions:

Can Tesla sell lots of cars? I remain skeptical that Tesla can or should move into competition with Nissan. There is no car brand that simultaneously targets the mass market and to the luxury market. Tesla should take on BMW and the other high-end marques.

Will Tesla sell cars at all, in the long run, or will it evolve into a supplier of powertrains and systems to the established majors? While Daimler and Toyota may be willing to use Tesla technology to stay in the EV game, I cannot believe that either company will be satisfied in the long run buying the central component of their vehicles from a third-party supplier. This route leads to Tesla being purchased by Daimler or Toyota -- an outcome that doesn't square with Elon's personality.

This would make a great business school case study.

AUTOWEEK: "Can Tesla become a bigger company with Model S electric car? That's Elon Musk's gamble"
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111020/CARNEWS/111029987

edmund's AutoObserver: "Tesla Wows With Model S Rides, Factory Tour"
http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/10/tesla-wows-with-model-s-rides-factor...

Speaking of news, here's a current article on the BMW i8 and i3, with a good photo gallery:
http://inhabitat.com/photos-bmw-unveils-i3-electric-car-and-i8-hybrid-el...
and here's the Electric Phantom prototype in Manhattan:
http://inhabitat.com/nyc/inhabitat-takes-the-rolls-royce-102ex-electric-...

No center console on the i3 either. Weird how the EVs seem to have that in common.

"The BMW i3 is set for launch in 2013 and the BMW i3 is due for release in 2014."

BMW i3 discussion:
http://www.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/bmw-quicker-tesla-bring-bluestar...

Seems to me that Tesla's long term viability as a drivetrain supplier depends on its patent protection and its ability to stay on top of technology developments with new patents. In Tesla's case, it isn't so much what is used- they buy the components- as it is how the components of the drivetrain are put together as a system. Tesla's current drivetrain is based on a unique approach with unique components that none of the other manufacturers have adopted. If well protected, that could last awhile, particularly if Tesla builds up economies of scale and low costs that are hard to match. They are beginning to do that now as a supplier to both Daimler and Toyoto.

If we listen to Elon's zeal for his mission-to cause the conversion of the auto mnarket to all electric, and if we consider that he still owns 30% of the company, it is unlikely that Tesla will be sold anytime soon. He is on record as not intending to sell.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2011/11/11/tesla-model-s-preps-fo...

Early in the video you can see the Signature badge on the trunk, not sure I've seen that yet.

Yep, it's also on the door scuff plates.

Charlie Rose interviewed Elon and Bob Lusk Wednesday (together). In the interview, Bob Lusk says "I honestly think Tesla's going to make it." He goes on to praise the Model S as one of the most attracctively designed cars he has seen. He also notes that Elon has put together a good team in all aspects of the car business.

Sorry, that's Bob Lutz, former vice chairman of General Motors.

And here's the link to the video:
http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11984

Thanks for posting that...they mention it would take decades to transition to EV, but in our household, after delivery of Model S next year and Model X in 2013, we will be there in 2 years! Go Electric!!

Volker.Berlin This is by far the most significant interview Elon has participated in, his performance was flawless. Thanks for the link!

Adding the Car and Driver link: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-tesla-model-s-first-ride-reviews

P.S. Volker.Berlin is awesome, a couple of those I haven't seen yet, thanks!

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_19308694?source=rss

Two interesting things I noticed:

The large screen automatically dims while the car is in motion to cut down on distraction.

Picture 14 of 18 makes the white paint look like a light blue.

"Picture 14 of 18 makes the white paint look like a light blue."

Pretty clear that that's reflected color; slides 2 and 13 show pure white.

Your spending at least $50k for a car, you can spend another $1k to move a 240V plug for ya! just saying... :)

Re: 1K rewiring

You might as well get it over with now. It won't be long before new construction housing will have high power outlets in every garage. Houses without will be seen as "old". EVs are coming, and the only thing that will negate this need is road system replete with inductive charging while driving.

Good demo of the touchscreen and iPhone app:
http://techcrunch.com/2011/11/14/tesla-flat-pack/

That video is the first time I've heard them mention 4G.

From what she said on the video it looks like heated, but not air cooled, seats will be in the car.

Also, at 1:46, we find out that there's something called "frictional energy". Another first for Tesla! Hopefully the engineers will coach her to use different wording to describe the regen.

Once in a while a post pops up that makes vague reference to some "original announcements" by Tesla. I made an effort and collected a couple of news articles that appeared when the Model S was first revealed in March 2009. Please add to that list if I missed some article that adds relevant information. That should give us a solid base to compare how Tesla delivers to what was originally advertised.

autoblog (Mar 26th 2009): "Tesla Model S: $50,000 EV sedan seats seven, 300-mile range, 0-60 in 5.5s"
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/26/tesla-model-s-50-000-ev-sedan-seats-s...

The Car Connection (March 26, 2009): "Tesla Model S: $49,900, 7(ish) seats, 0-60 in 5.6, 300-mile range"
http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1019688_tesla-model-s-49900-7ish-se...

Motor Trend (March 26 2009): "Tesla Model S Revealed: Sedan to Hit 60 in Under 6 Sec, Seat 7, Go 300 Miles"
http://wot.motortrend.com/tesla-model-s-revealed-sedan-to-hit-60-in-unde...

Business Insider (March 26, 2009): "Tesla Finally Unveiling Subsidized Model S"
http://articles.businessinsider.com/2009-03-26/green_sheet/30084040_1_mo...

Jalopnik (Mar 26th, 2009): "Tesla Model S Sedan Concept: $49,900 Seven-Seater Electric To Hit Streets In 2011"
http://jalopnik.com/5185844/tesla-model-s-sedan-concept-49900-seven+seat...

gizmag (April 3, 2009): "Closer look: the Tesla Model S"
http://www.gizmag.com/tesla-model-s/11386/

engadget (February 12th 2009 11:16AM): "First Tesla Model S teaser shot silently sneaks onto the scene"
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/12/first-tesla-model-s-teaser-shot-silen...

engadget (March 24th 2009 8:02AM): "Tesla Model S priced just under $50K, rest of car still shrouded in mystery"
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/24/tesla-model-s-priced-just-under-50k-r...

engadget (March 26th 2009 1:25PM): "Tesla Model S official shots unofficially unveiled"
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/tesla-model-s-official-shots-unoffici...

engadget (March 26th 2009 5:51PM): "Tesla Model S now official"
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/tesla-model-s-now-official-caught-in-...

engadget (March 27th 2009 2:28PM): "Tesla CEO says Model S isn't really expensive, when you think about it"
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/tesla-ceo-says-model-s-isnt-really-ex...

technology review (03/27/2009): "Tesla Unveils a Long-Awaited Electric Sedan"
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/23241/

evo (27th March 2009): "Tesla Model S electric saloon"
http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/234825/tesla_model_s_electric_saloon.html

the guardian (27 March 2009): "Tesla unveils the electric 'family car of the future'"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/27/tesla-electric-cars-mo...

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/business&id=8441528

$45,000?

And the Tesla rep they interviewed doesn't sound too knowledgeable: "But don't compare this loan to the infamous loan to Solyndra just up I-880, at least just don't do it around Sal Lopez.

"I think the difference is that they do have some orders already in. I think they have their production already full for a year or so which means the clients have already ordered that car, whatever model that may be. But they already have sold it, it's only a matter of building it and demand," said Lopez."

How many months old is that report? What lousy reportage. ABC has fallen on hard times, obviously.

not exactly in the news, but :

http://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-s/2013/?sub=sedan

Article in a norwegian car magazine after Oct. 1st event. (It's in norwegian)

http://www.bilnorge.no/artikkel.php?aid=38384

toto;
The Edmunds page links to a full review:
http://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-s/2013/?sub=sedan#fullreview

They miss noting the Sport S accel figures, so perhaps this was written before Elon dropped that tidbit!

Kallisman;
Here's the Google translated version of the page:
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&i...

As a bonus, all the page links are labelled in English, including one to something about the 'Alpha':

@Brian H:
Not too bad translation by google. Still some things make more sense in the original. I figured the ppl in here probably know how to use google translate, but the link makes it easier:)

The 'Alpha' on the pic is of course an Alfa Romeo 4C. Will come to America with a 4 cylinder 1.8 liter 300hp engine in 2013 according to the article. Beautiful car, but not electric.