Clean Technica Online News – Page 183 – I wish I had more to offer

Kazakhstan To Tesla: Welcome, Elon Musk & Tesla

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Published on November 16th, 2019 |

by Johnna Crider

Kazakhstan To Tesla: Welcome, Elon Musk & Tesla

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November 16th, 2019 by Johnna Crider

Kazakhstan now has its first Tesla Supercharger. This is evidence of yet another promise by Elon Musk that has been kept. During the Tesla Model Y event, while Elon Musk was talking, someone mentioned Kazakhstan in the audience and Elon said, “Actually, we have some great supporters in Kazakhstan.” Elon followed that up — after several loud cheers — with a promise: “We will build Superchargers in Kazakhstan! You heard it right here.”

This happens at around 24 minutes into the Model Y unveil video.

The person you heard in the audience was Anuarbek Imanbaev, and Elon kept his promise to Anurabek and the people of Kazakhstan.

When asked about Kazakhstan in June, Elon also said that Tesla would build Superchargers and service centers in Kazakhstan.

The first Superchargers in Kazakhstan are now operational in the Talan Towers located in Nursultan. The station has 6 Superchargers with a charging rate up to 120 kW, and WiFi is provided by the Ritz-Carlton Astana, along with restaurants and lodging.

According to a forum member of Tesla Motors Club, as translated from a news article that was originally in Russian: “Six Tesla Superchargers will be officially presented at Talan Towers: four in the parking lot near The Ritz-Carlton, Astana, two more in the underground parking at P1 level, which will provide convenient and easy access both in winter and in summer.”

Some people may be scratching their heads as to why Tesla is launching in Kazakhstan, but I think it all has to do with Elon listening to his customers. This is one of the many reasons both Elon Musk and Tesla are well loved. They listen, act, and make sure the needs of their customers are met.

Elon is very open to the ideas of both Tesla owners and fans, often collecting them from Twitter and turning them into new features, product improvements, etc. He is always looking for ways to enhance the experiences of his customers. I admit, riding along with a friend and watching her prank someone with Fart Mode was fun. Seeing the looks on my neighbor’s faces when Wade showed off the Summon feature was priceless. When Teslatino came through, one of my neighbors was completely stunned when he saw the frunk. There was no engine — shock.

A Tesla isn’t just a car, it’s interactive, and that’s what makes it so unique. This is just one of many ways that Tesla and Elon listen to customers. Despite what the critics claim (that Elon is a liar and a fraud), Elon has kept his promises many, many times. Kazakhstan is just one more promise that Elon Musk has kept.

If you want someone to like you, listen to them. If you want them to respect you, keep your promises to them. It’s amazing to see that an American company is being embraced by many around the world, but it is being embraced so widely for at least a few reasons.
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Johnna Crider Johnna Crider is a Baton Rouge artist, gem and mineral collector, and Tesla shareholder who believes in Elon Musk and Tesla. Elon Musk advised her in 2018 to “Believe in Good.”

Tesla is one of many good things to believe in. You can find Johnna on Twitter

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Byton’s Nanjing Manufacturing Bet Is On Quality, Control, Long-Term Execution

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Published on November 15th, 2019 |

by Nicolas Zart

Byton’s Nanjing Manufacturing Bet Is On Quality, Control, Long-Term Execution

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November 15th, 2019 by Nicolas Zart

Byton doesn’t do anything halfway. That much is obvious by now. The company never shied away from gigantic work and its gargantuan Nanjing production facility is a testament to its ambition. I met Mark Duchesne, who is the Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at Byton, at the Frankfurt Auto Show earlier this year. What he had to tell me was impressive.

Building Customized Manufacturing Plant For Total Control — The Right Manufacturing For Complete Quality Control
Duchesne told me about how his previous experience with Toyota and Tesla helped the task he faced 3 years ago. Taking on a project that size from minus ground zero – as Duchesne likes to say – to where it is now was no small feat. He told me Byton did the right thing compared to how others approached manufacturing plants in the past. In the end, Byton will make its vehicle more affordable from good planning to execution, including contract negotiations, Duchesne notes.

Byton Nanjing Facility, courtesy Byton.

I asked Duchesne if contracting manufacturers isn’t easier and cheaper. His answer was, yes, but there is much less quality control and more chance to lose the long-term goal. Byton made it clear it wanted to have complete control over the high level of quality it was aiming for. It could have chosen a prime location in the heart of Beijing or Shanghai but instead found Nanjing had more potential to build a full manufacturing plant from the ground up. This involved remediation, a ground leveling of up to 1.4 meters, which you can multiply by 800,000 square meters (861,112.83 sq-ft). The plant will have a capacity of 300,000 units annually. Although, for the first year, Byton expects between 100,000 and 150,000 units. This will grow until capacity is reached in another year or so. Overall, it is 8.6 million square feet.

It seems that Byton has truly laid the foundation for a financially sustainable future. The local Nanjing government worked closely with the startup. If it wasn’t the fastest way to do it, it was probably the best approach to controlling quality and costs. He says it was a way for Byton to get the maximum ROI for its investors — more so than if it had outsourced its production needs.

Duchesne made sure he had the right team that understands what to do, and that buys into the mission. This is something he learned at Tesla, that taking care of your employees, respecting and challenging them, is the most important part of the recipe.

Byton On Working With Chinese Workforce
Working in China has its advantages and challenges. Overall, Duchesne said it is different working with a Chinese workforce and that they rise to meet challenges in an impressive way. The Chinese workforce is very motivated to retire the negative “Chinese quality” stigma. He feels that having the best people from other industries and appointing them intelligently in the right places is what makes a successful recipe for a startup. He told me he has the most dedicated team he’s ever worked with. Byton is targeting European quality with an Asian workforce, and Duchesne feels confident his team will deliver that. And remember, your smartphone was built in China at a high quality!

Asked about the production delay of the M-Byte, Duchesne said it is millions of data points that need to come together coherently. Byton had nothing a few years ago and designed a car, with another concept on the way, the factory, hired a workforce it trained, build the factory, and is now putting everything together. The Nanjing manufacturing plant was designed with the final product in mind, something that doesn’t happen often lately. The manufacturing plant is highly flexible and, compared to other startups, Byton has 100% control over the product and the quality.

Byton Nanjing Facility, courtesy Byton.

The company didn’t feel comfortable rushing the M-Byte. That is not the Byton culture, according to Duchesne, who says: “Spending extra time making engineering, software, and assembly to meet the global quality without making rushing mistakes is the name of the game. Too many startups made that mistake of rushing to the market and are no longer around.”

I asked Duchesne how he handles the back and forth between design and manufacturing and how he manages expectations with the reality of production. He said that Benoit Jacob, who is the Vice President of Design, is one of the rare professionals who designs a car that is both stunning and manufacturable. That is one less step manufacturing needs to worry. David Twohig, Chief Technical Officer, whom we will interview next, knows how to balance it all and keep the company steady. What Duchesne brings from Toyota is the planning know-how. From Tesla, he learned that you need to do whatever it takes to make a startup survive. That means finding a way to build the car no matter what.

Byton Nanjing Facility, courtesy Byton.

Byton Builds Its Ideal Manufacturing Plant & Team
Byton culture has been established. Duchesne says he’s witnessed it from the beginning but wasn’t sure at first if it was real. I feel the same. I approached Byton cautiously at first. But its culture is very palpable. There is an indescribable enthusiasm that is tangible from design to manufacturing to the executive level. Waves might come and go, but the people make the culture, and that never changes. Culture comes from passion, and it seems that Byton has it in all the right places.

Byton at 2019 Frankfort Auto Show. Photo by Nicolas Zart, CleanTechnica.

Byton M-byte. Photo courtesy Byton.

Byton M-byte body in white factory photo. Photo courtesy Byton.

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About the Author

Nicolas Zart Nicolas was born and raised around classic cars of the 1920s, but it wasn't until he drove an AC Propulsion eBox and a Tesla Roadster that the light went on. Ever since he has produced green mobility content on various CleanTech outlets since 2007 and found his home on CleanTechnica.

His communication passion led to cover electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, renewable energy, test drives, podcasts, shoot pictures, and film for various international outlets in print and online. Nicolas offers an in-depth look at the e-mobility world through interviews and the many contacts he has forged in those industries.

His favorite taglines are: “There are more solutions than obstacles.” and “Yesterday's Future Now”

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Tesla Secures Manufacturing License For Gigafactory 3 — Let’s Roll!

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Published on November 14th, 2019 |

by Tim Dixon

Tesla Secures Manufacturing License For Gigafactory 3 — Let’s Roll!

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November 14th, 2019 by Tim Dixon

Tesla has been able to get its manufacturing license for Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai, China. With Tesla already demonstrating Chinese produced Model 3s to the Chinese press, this step is seen as the last official hurdle before Tesla officially begins production and starts the process of ramping up consumer cars “Made in China.”

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), announced the 325 batch of “Road Motor Vehicle Production Enterprises and Products Announcements” (Chinese: 道路机动车辆生产企业及产品公告). In this batch, it is announced that Tesla has been added to the list of companies allowed to produce new energy vehicles in China.

Media outlet SINA reports that MIIT has agreed to allow Tesla (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. to be a pure electric passenger car manufacturer. (Chinese:《公告》显示，工信部同意设立特斯拉（上海）有限公司作为纯电动乘用车生产企业。)

In batch 325, page 15, line item 105, you can find this:

同意在《公告》内设立纯电动乘用车生产企业,企业名称：特斯拉(上海)有限公司,企业注册地址：上海市浦东新区南汇新城镇同汇路168号D203A,企业生产地址：上海市浦东新区江山路5000号。

This line is another announcement of Tesla’s new designation, as well as a listing of its registered address.

The Tesla Gigafactory 3 has been preparing for production for months, with battery supply lined up, initial production of the complete product completed, the end of shipments of US-made base Model 3 to China, and now securing the official license to produce and sell electric cars.

The Tesla Gigafactory 3 is an impressive feat that was previously used by some financial players to attack Tesla, but is now a sign of Tesla’s ability to move fast and achieve results. How times have changed.

While getting official permits is an important step in producing the Chinese manufactured Model 3, the next stage will be just as important — Tesla will have to ramp up its production capacity in a new factory. This will test its new team’s ability to adapt and evolve its production capabilities. Tesla already has Model 3 assembly experience, though, so this hurdle is less of a problem. Of course, it also has experience producing the Model 3 in the United States.

Read CleanTechnica for more updates on Tesla Gigafactory 3 and the Chinese Model 3 as we get them.

For updates, follow me on Twitter or add me on LinkedIn.

Sources: MIIT, MIIT and SINA | Images courtesy Tesla
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Tim Dixon When not researching the Chinese electric car market, I am teaching in China. My interest in sustainable development started in University and it led me to work with Tesla Europe in the Supercharger team. I'm interested in science fiction, D&D, and travel. You can follow me on Twitter @TimDixon3.

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Tesla Critics Don’t Understand (Or Just Ignore) Tesla’s Mission

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Published on November 13th, 2019 |

by Zachary Shahan

Tesla Critics Don’t Understand (Or Just Ignore) Tesla’s Mission

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November 13th, 2019 by Zachary Shahan

I used to find the debate between Tesla critics (most notably short sellers) and Tesla fans as somewhat interesting but mostly straightforward. Tesla critics somehow thought that Tesla inherently couldn’t make profits on its products. Tesla fans thought and explained how Tesla could. Tesla critics thought Tesla couldn’t learn the art and skill of efficient, smooth mass production. Tesla fans noted many times that this isn’t rocket science (ahem). Tesla critics thought major automakers would come out with electric vehicles superior to what Tesla offered and would thus kill the company. Tesla fans highlighted Tesla’s leadership in batteries, software, self-driving tech, design, customer communications, and overall reputation.

However, there’s another straightforward matter (or not-so-straightforward matter if you aren’t used to thinking about it) that I think creates as much of a disconnect as anything else. Many Tesla actions make much more sense when you take this into account, while ignoring it can bring you to many false conclusions. That matter is Tesla’s mission.

Whereas most companies have a clear one-two objective — 1) sell a lot of XYZ, 2) make a lot of money — Tesla has a core, fundamental mission that precedes those and sometimes overrides them: accelerate the transition to sustainable energy.

Some people can write that off as a tagline, but it most definitely is not. Some can say that Tesla now has a simplistic fiduciary duty to its shareholders, but its shareholders have definitely had ample time and opportunity to learn about and digest Tesla’s core mission, so they cannot ignore or deny its primacy. No one should be invested in Tesla without understanding that the company’s #1 goal is to transition society to clean technologies as quickly as possible. Of course, that also means staying in business — speeding up the transition this month to only die next month makes no sense. But it’s important to recognize that there are times when the mission overrides other matters.

I think the place this is most directly evident is with risk. CEO Elon Musk seems to be a risk taker at heart. If he’s not taking risks, he probably feels like something is lacking. Tesla would not accelerate the transition without a hefty helping of risk. Indeed, it is the risk (and cost) of a quick transition that holds traditional automakers back. It is why they sometimes have half-hearted electric offerings, why they didn’t jump into building battery gigafactories when Tesla did, why some of them still stay completely out of the battery production realm, why it takes so long for them to roll out moderately priced long-range EVs — they need mass-market economies of scale for that, and they aren’t willing to bet on that level of consumer demand.

Here’s a list of developments that Tesla might have made for pure business/financial reasons, but which may also have come from a mission to accelerate the transition to clean technology as quickly as possible:

Rolling out the Tesla Model S without a longer development/testing timeframe.
Setting up a Supercharger network.
In-housing battery pack production.
Setting up a gigafactory in Nevada years ago.
Buying SolarCity.
Developing a semi truck.
Developing a pickup truck.
Setting up a gigafactory in China in 2019.
Setting down its flag in Berlin for a 3rd automotive gigafactory in 2019.

Again, yes, some (or all) of these developments have been strategic business decisions expected to bring a positive ROI in the net. However, the striking factor in many situations has been how quickly or how early Tesla has jumped into these developments, and at such a large scale. To critics or skeptics, it seems like wild, high-risk behavior that is not sensible and has too high a cost or too high a risk of failure. To supporters, the point is clear: Tesla is pursuing its mission. Many supporters also have a strong belief that taking those risks at this time will lead to ongoing financial rewards. You may have to suffer some costs and drawbacks when being a leader, but true leaders get the glory, and sometimes the money, for a reason — they are well ahead of others.

Yes, setting up a gigafactory came with a high risk, but there was no clear option for getting to mass-market EV production without doing so. The same for the vast Supercharger network. Yes, buying SolarCity created some costs and challenges at a relatively young stage of corporate life, but it also enables integration of sustainable transport and sustainable energy generation and storage as a long-term play that is constantly undergoing testing, evaluation, development, and improvement. In 10 years, who will have the advantage when it comes to an integrated sustainable lifestyle offering?

Yes, Tesla financials skated close to the edge for years, but that was never because the company couldn’t easily make a profit if it just decided to do so and slowed down. It skated close to the edge for a reason — the pace is the point. Speeding up the transition is the point. Growing as quickly as possible is the point. Taking difficult risks — because the times call for it — is the point.

When you consider Tesla’s mission, everything Tesla does makes sense. It is not about making a profitable product or two and hitting cruise control. It is about high-speed, palm-sweating Navigate on Autopilot driving you toward revolutionary Full Self Driving and a disruptive tech transition that helps society avoid much more dramatic climate disruption.

Elon Musk has decided it is time to go beyond “bet the company” efforts, but don’t expect for a moment that he’s going to stop taking risks and Tesla won’t continue to grow and develop as fast as tens of thousands of employees can push it to do so. This is not about a company’s MBA-inspired business plan and is not headed toward a planned exit point for the core founder/executive. This is about revolution, revolution for the greater good. Hold on tight.

If you’d like to buy a Tesla and get some free Supercharging miles, feel free to use our referral code: https://ts.la/zachary63404. Or not. You can also get a $100 discount on Tesla solar with that code.
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Zachary Shahan is tryin' to help society help itself one word at a time. He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director and chief editor. He's also the CEO of Important Media. Zach is recognized globally as an electric vehicle, solar energy, and energy storage expert. He has presented about cleantech at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Canada, and Curaçao.

Zach has long-term investments in Tesla [TSLA] — after years of covering solar and EVs, he simply has a lot of faith in this company and feels like it is a good cleantech company to invest in. But he offers no investment advice and does not recommend investing in Tesla or any other company.

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Tesla = 3rd Most Valuable Automaker In The World

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Published on November 13th, 2019 |

by Johnna Crider

Tesla = 3rd Most Valuable Automaker In The World

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November 13th, 2019 by Johnna Crider

With the companies recent stock price rise, Tesla [TSLA] has surpassed Daimler for the #3 spot on the list of most valuable automakers in the world. This is on the heels of news of Gigafactory 4’s location — Berlin. Many may see Tesla coming to Germany as a slap in the face of some of the legacy automakers, but I see it simply as Tesla establishing another foothold as it climbs its own personal mountain. That mountain is its goal of accelerating society’s transition to 100% sustainable energy.

Tesla took the spot from Daimler in the wee hours of the trading day in Germany — which makes the milestone especially interesting as Elon Musk stands in Berlin. At the time of this writing, Tesla is worth almost $64 billion, while Daimler is worth almost $63 billion. Of course, as the market dances around, the two companies could easily trade places and fight for the #3 spot, or Tesla could slowly (or quickly) climb to the #2 spot and take it from VW.

Eventually, as Tesla continues to progress, many shareholders expect it will take over the #1 spot from Toyota.

Photo by Chanan Bos, CleanTechnica

What Does This Mean For America?
When compared to other vehicles made at other companies, American autos are generally seen as not so great. Toyota is known as one of the safest and most reliable brands among my friends, and Mercedes is the equivalent of luxury. However, this is changing as Tesla continues to dominate the premium-class markets. We see this in somewhat symbolic fashion with Tesla taking Daimler’s spot at number 3.

This is a great thing for the US, as it shows that we are taking a spot at the table among leaders in the industry again. Tesla is seen as a threat to other automakers because of how high tech its cars are. Porsche’s response to Tesla is the Taycan, and although many do love it, not as many love its price tag.

The Porsche Taycan starts at $150,900 while the most powerful Turbo S is $185,000. Fully loaded, it’s $241,500. The Tesla Model S starts at under $100,000, and the Model S Plaid will be lower than Tesla’s competitors — the prices haven’t been announced yet — while offering greater performance. Also, the new 2020 Tesla Roadster will cost around $200,000 and the first few will be $250,000 (those will be the Founder’s Edition), while it will outcompete million-dollar supercar “rivals.”

For the everyday American who goes to work, comes home, and maybe goes out for entertainment a few times a month — they just want a car to get them from point A to point B. This is where the value of Tesla has already come into play as more and more people choose the Model 3 over any other car. Safety is a concern and we already know it’s received top scores in that department. Want fast? Tesla. Want the best autonomous driving tech? Tesla.

What this means for America is that Tesla is already being recognized as a leader in the auto industry and is revitalizing a portion of the manufacturing base. This is something we should be proud of. Tesla is our quarterback. It’s our Drew Brees. (Yes, I’m a Saints fan, WhoDat!) As the European car market and Germany’s auto industry transitions to e-mobility, Tesla will also have a positive force within its borders, boosting the economy and creating jobs. That’s something for all parties to be thankful for.
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Johnna Crider Johnna Crider is a Baton Rouge artist, gem and mineral collector, and Tesla shareholder who believes in Elon Musk and Tesla. Elon Musk advised her in 2018 to “Believe in Good.”

Tesla is one of many good things to believe in. You can find Johnna on Twitter

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It’s Official — Tesla Gigafactory 4 Will Be In (Or Near) Berlin

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Published on November 13th, 2019 |

by Steve Hanley

It’s Official — Tesla Gigafactory 4 Will Be In (Or Near) Berlin

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November 13th, 2019 by Steve Hanley

Who would have thought when Tesla started selling the Model S in 2012 that less than 8 years later it would have a shiny new factory in China and plans to bring EV manufacturing to Germany, the heart of automobile manufacturing in Europe? On November 12, CEO Elon Musk traveled to Berlin to announce that Gigafactory 4 would be located near the German capitol.

Musk was in Germany to accept a Golden Steering Wheel award from Auto Bild, a German publication that covers the auto industry. “Berlin is great,” Musk said after the award ceremony. “I love Berlin.” In its latest earnings letter, Tesla said the European Gigafactory would likely be operational by 2021, predicting it would be similar to the Shanghai facility, since both will be manufacturing the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV/crossover.

The new German factory could make Tesla one of the largest employers in Berlin. According to one of our resident Berliners, looking at the data here, it appears Tesla could easily be a top 6 employer in the city. That said, it wasn’t clear if it will be counted as in the city or will just be near Berlin.

Tesla has been hinting at a European factory for years and has gotten proposals from many cities on the Old Continent, from Spain to Poland. Berlin is a bit of a surprise because it is not a manufacturing center. It is, however, a technology hub, which means Tesla will be able to choose from some of German’s best computer engineers for Gigafactory 4.

Musk also mentioned at the Auto Bild event that Tesla will be opening an engineering and design studio in Berlin as well. Musk has often said he expects to build 10 to 12 gigafactories around the world in coming years. High-level engineering and design to optimize for that is needed, and Germany is a good place to tap into those fields.

Following the news that Volkswagen began series production of its ID.3 electric car in Zwickau last week and is converting other factories in Germany, the electric car revolution in Germany is clearly picking up much needed momentum. Now, the question is how the other major German automakers will respond. Mercedes is introducing some electric cars, but most are aimed at the upper end of the market. BMW is apparently content to introduce some hybrids while it tries to figure out what its long-term strategy will be.

Tesla is not waiting around. With its new Berlin factory, it will be in the thick of the electric car mix in Europe, forcing everyone else to play catch-up.
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Steve Hanley Steve writes about the interface between technology and sustainability from his home in Rhode Island and anywhere else the Singularity may lead him. His motto is, “Life is not measured by how many breaths we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away!” You can follow him on Google + and on Twitter.

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Tesla Model X Was Set On Fire In Germany (But Don’t Jump To Conclusions)

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Published on November 11th, 2019 |

by Johnna Crider

Tesla Model X Was Set On Fire In Germany (But Don’t Jump To Conclusions)

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November 11th, 2019 by Johnna Crider

A Tesla Model X was set on fire in Germany last week.

Imagine driving out of town — or in the case of this Tesla owner, out of the country — for business, and while you’re out of your hometown, someone sets fire to your vehicle just outside your rented home while you are sleeping. Not only did you just lose your car, but you have to plan a way to get home as well.

This is exactly what happened to the owner of a Tesla Model X whose car was set on fire in Germany last week. The Model X was charging overnight at a station a few meters away from the owner’s rented apartment. Well, technically, Den Dal’s fiancee is the owner of the Model X. He used her car since it’s a lot cheaper than gasoline or diesel cars on long-distance trips.

Imagine, your car or your partner’s car being set on fire as you sleep nearby. The fact that we have people out there cruel and bold enough to commit such a heinous crime just shows how heartless some people can be.

Police confirmed that this was a criminally created fire. There’s been a lot of speculation about whether or not this was to start rumors about battery fires, but others in the area have mentioned that there have been vandals and delinquents starting fires in the same area. The Model X was just one of a few fires.

Dal said the Model X was 14 months old. This means his family doesn’t get full purchase price coverage and they will lose the Dutch tax benefits if they purchase another one.

Usually, when a bad thing is done to people, many randomly accuse others while not knowing the facts. Some put the blame on immigrants, others far-right Nazis, while others speculate about TSLAQ. The truth is, at this moment, we don’t know who set these fires or why.

Other interesting matters come up with someone buying a new Tesla after an incident like this. Den Dal told me that he thinks it is fair that if someone pays for Full Self Driving (FSD) in advance and their car is destroyed, then that FSD should be transferable. (He had Enhanced Autopilot, not FSD.) In his case, he does also have hope that his insurance will cover everything.

“We love the car. But not sure if we can afford a new one due to changed tax laws. So it depends on the insurance company. Also not sure if it is a total loss,” he tells me.

One thing we should all keep in mind with this, whether we are curious about connections to TSLAQ or targeted Tesla vandalism, is that this is a family that lost their car and are dealing with a lot. I truly hope that the insurance company does the right thing, and I also hope that Elon Musk considers the option to make services such as FSD transferable for those whose cars are destroyed and may have to buy a new one. Elon has been known to listen to the needs of his customers — it’s one thing that makes him a great leader.
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Johnna Crider Johnna Crider is a Baton Rouge artist, gem and mineral collector, and Tesla shareholder who believes in Elon Musk and Tesla. Elon Musk advised her in 2018 to “Believe in Good.”

Tesla is one of many good things to believe in. You can find Johnna on Twitter

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3 Banks Funding Fossil Fuels The Most Keep Telling You To Sell Tesla Stock [TSLA]

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Published on November 12th, 2019 |

by Zachary Shahan

3 Banks Funding Fossil Fuels The Most Keep Telling You To Sell Tesla Stock [TSLA]

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November 12th, 2019 by Zachary Shahan

A few weeks ago, thanks to a friendly Tesla fan on Twitter, The Guardian, and Rainforest Action Network, I shared the news that the top 3 banks funding fossil fuel development also — through a different arm — are providing bearish forecasts for Tesla [TSLA] and recommending traders sell the stock rather than buy it. The update this week: despite a surprise profit in quarter 3 and much of the market swinging in the other direction, the Tesla analysts at these top 3 fossil fuel funders are holding steady on their bearish stance and recommendation to sell. [Full disclosure: I’m long Tesla.]

I don’t think there’s much more to say about that right now. As I’ve said before, there’s no indication that there are illegal or immoral doors and windows between the arms of these giant financing companies that are 1) financing fossil fuel development to such an enormous tune and 2) telling you to sell Tesla stock.

Nonetheless, I’m curious if there are certain facets of company culture that are so pessimistic and dirty, if there happen to be some hidden corruption at these banks (gasp), and how it is that some people can willingly choose short-term money over the long-term health and livability of planet Earth. Is humanity so bad at long-term thinking and action?

Also, note that the Tesla analysts for these top financial firms all show losses on their recommendations for Tesla stock. Recommendations from JP Morgan’s Ryan Brinkman have a -14.6% return, Citigroup’s Itay Michaeli is worse at -19%, and John Murphy of Merrill Lynch is a tad better at -12.7%.

Tesla Buy/Sell Graph for Ryan Brinkman of JP Morgan, via Tip Ranks

Tesla Buy/Sell Graph for Itay Michaeli of Citigroup, via Tip Ranks

Tesla Buy/Sell Graph for John Murphy of Merrill Lynch, via Tip Ranks

Any other thoughts on this topic? All just bad luck at these three banks? Or is there a corporate culture matter at play? Or are you ready to jump to conclusions and say that there’s more than simple correlation here? (My pick is #2, but I’m open to other arguments.)
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Rolling Coal Is A Stupid Stunt — And Dangerous

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Published on November 11th, 2019 |

by Johnna Crider

Rolling Coal Is A Stupid Stunt — And Dangerous

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November 11th, 2019 by Johnna Crider

Doing stupid stunts while driving can endanger not only yourself but others around you. I am talking about the wanna-be bad boy (or girl, even) who was driving the pickup truck in a video posted by Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley.

The driver of this truck was driving very aggressively and intentionally coal rolling the owner of a Tesla while on a highway traveling at high speeds. The owner of the Tesla tries to get away, but the truck driver just cuts in front of the Tesla to do it again.

The Tesla’s cameras captured video of the incident, but you can’t really get the plate numbers from that.

In the video, the truck cuts in front of the Tesla and rolls the coal. What this term means is that the driver of the truck intentionally makes the smoke belch from the exhaust into the “face” of the driver behind him. This is considered not only an insult but can also be seen as a direct attack upon the driver behind them.

This is dangerous. As you can see in the video, for a moment, the smoke actually fills up the view and you can’t see anything. Do I need to emphasize how dangerous this could be, especially driving on a highway? Choosing to intentionally do stupid things like this could get you or others killed.

To those who feel the need to coal roll or show off your hatred for a total stranger, perhaps you should think twice. Ask yourself if it’s legal or at least ethical? What’s the point you’re trying to make here? Do you hate Tesla? Why do you hate Tesla? What did this Tesla driver to you to warrant your attack on them? Yes, visually impairing someone while they are driving is an attack. Driving recklessly and spewing smoke in the faces of others intentionally so they can not see is akin to someone attacking you on the streets. How would you feel if you caused an accident that actually took the lives of innocent people?

In an article published by Bicycling, a cyclist shares his experience of someone coal rolling him. “You pretty much get a blast of heat and a blast of black smoke in your face. Unfortunately, you just have to ride through it. It’s frustrating,” Conti told Bicycling.

To be honest, I have been coal rolled on also. I just didn’t know what it was at the time. I don’t think the attack was aimed at me, because the vehicles were honking at one another. I don’t have a car, so I walk, take the bus, or take Uber. Sometimes, these trucks will drive by and the next thing I know I am surrounded in this stuff. I have asthma, so I literally have to hold my breath and not breathe as I walk through it.
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Johnna Crider Johnna Crider is a Baton Rouge artist, gem and mineral collector, and Tesla shareholder who believes in Elon Musk and Tesla. Elon Musk advised her in 2018 to “Believe in Good.”

Tesla is one of many good things to believe in. You can find Johnna on Twitter

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Ford Mustang GT Burned By Tesla Model 3 SR+ (Video)

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Published on November 12th, 2019 |

by Cynthia Shahan

Ford Mustang GT Burned By Tesla Model 3 SR+ (Video)

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November 12th, 2019 by Cynthia Shahan

Image courtesy Tesla.

Due to instant torque, the ease of moving in front of another driver for a needed lane change is one of the strengths of an electric car. I’ve left many gas cars far behind simply to ensure I move over to the next lane safely ahead of a stream of traffic.

Others take it a step further. A street challenge between cars is an example of that. In the following clip, a Ford Mustang GT owner challenged a Tesla Model 3 owner to a straight-line run. Looking at the specs, comparisons, one could easily think GT Mustang would be the winner. Looking at the paper specs does not tell the story here, though. Via X Auto, here’s a specs comparison:

Perhaps the most surprising thing when watching the video is that it’s a Model 3 Standard Range Plus (the base version on Tesla’s website), not the Model 3 Performance. X Auto model comparisons lead one to believe the Mustang GT would be the easy winner. The specs of the Mustang GT show a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h) compared to Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus’s 140 mph (225 km/h). More importantly, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus shows a 0–60 mph time of 5.3 secs compared to the Mustang GT’s 4.2 secs (according to a Motor Trend test).

No doubt, the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus triumphs against the Ford Mustang GT Coupe due to its instant torque. Other model details may be at play, too — we don’t have enough information to know.

The starting price (MSRP) of the Model 3 Standard Range Plus ($ 39,490) is nearly the same as the Ford Mustang GT Coupe’s ($40,450). Both are rear-wheel drive cars.

Iqtidar Ali rightly notes, “the other major difference? CO2 Emissions! The Mustang GT emits an estimated 9.8 tons of CO2 / year per car, that’s freaking horrible.”

Yes, as Iqtidarpoints out in his article, there are many ways people come to choose Tesla. The races can be a factor in bringing Tesla awareness to those who are gearheads and not environmentalists. Others may be researching the USA’s safest car, the car with the best autonomous driving tech, or the car with the most Easter eggs. Choosing electric vehicles due to their indisputable driving performance and pleasure is certainly a top reason for Tesla’s market success, though.

Featured image: Tesla Model 3 by JRR | CleanTechnica

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Cynthia Shahan Cynthia Shahan started writing by doing research as a social cultural and sometimes medical anthropology thinker. She studied and practiced both Waldorf education, and Montessori education. Eventually becoming an organic farmer, licensed AP, and mother of four unconditionally loving spirits, teachers, and environmentally conscious beings born with spiritual insights and ethics beyond this world. (She was able to advance more in this way led by her children.)

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