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Editorial: "Eight is Enough" May Be Too Much
June 20th, 2002

Editorial: Cedar Key Plantation: Albatross or Opportunity
June 16th, 2002

Editorial: Hello Cedar Key Plantation, Goodbye Clam Beds
June 14th, 2002

Editorial: All`s Quiet on the Water Front
June 8th, 2002

Editorial: A Cop in Trouble
June 6th, 2002

Editorial: Community Redevelopment Wish Lists
June 3rd, 2002

Editorial: Heath Davis and the Power of Politics
May 19th, 2002

Editorial: Do We Need Another Hero?
May 16th, 2002

Editorial: Support Groups
May 8th, 2002

Editorial: Clarification of Speak Out
May 7th, 2002

Editorial: Introducing Our Editor
April 22nd, 2002


Automotive Turning Point

Automotive Turning Point

Editorial

In late July, Tesla Motors announced a high-performance sports car powered by batteries alone. Not a hybrid, but a fully electric two-seater designed in collaboration with the legendary Lotus engineers. The Tesla website displays sleek styling and promises 0 to 60 mph in FOUR seconds. That catches the eye of car enthusiasts and natural born skeptics with a technical bent. It also gives a clue that the price will be high.

The Tesla website explains the designers' philosophy and business plan. The philosophy is that electric cars get us away from oil as a fuel for passenger cars. The business plan is extraordinary: Start with and expensive ($89,000) performance car, then market a high-end all-electric sedan and follow up with a mass produced $25,000 family sedan. (This is the reverse of Henry Ford's business plan whereby millions of Model T's paved the way for luxury car products.) Note that very expensive main-frame computers prepared the public for inexpensive personal computers.

Readers of the Tesla website have been voluminously responsive with blog comments. Skeptics warn of economic doom at the hands of Big Oil and Washington bureaucrats. Others suggest that if General Motors and Ford could not do it, "How can Tesla Motors succeed in producing an electric car?" (Think Apple Computer.)

May we suggest Cedar Key as a test market. Tesla plans to begin marketing in California, Chicago and Miami. On the other hand, Cedar Key has an electric vehicle tradition. We love the quick acceleration of our golf carts. Most of us would be quite happy with recharging batteries after 250 miles. And being able to do 120 mph on emergency trips to Gainesville has a certain appeal. CKPD might even try out (or need) a blue and white Tesla.

Even if a Tesla convertible doesn't make you salivate, if you are interested in history, you may be witnessing Tesla Motors making automotive history, a turning point in automotive design.

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