Tesla
has yet to officially launch its latest EV, the Model S, and already
the upstart automaker is setting up some pretty lofty goals. In an
interview with CEO, Elon Musk, it was made clear that the company is
confident that it will achieve 20,000 total models sold in 2013. With
the Nissan Leaf eclipsing just 9,500 total sales in the U.S. in 2011,
those are some pretty stratospheric goals.
This is
especially difficult considering that Tesla is not expected to
infiltrate the European and Asian markets until mid-2013. We do see the
logic behind this though, as the base $57,400 price is relatively
affordable, considering what you get at that level. Also add in the fact
that the Model S is more stylish and ego-massaging than the very odd-looking and soft-feeling Leaf, and Tesla just may be able to hit those numbers.
Once Tesla debuts the Model X
SUV, the automaker anticipates a huge upswing in sales at the tune of
75 percent. Yup, Tesla anticipates 2014 sales to eclipse the 35,000 mark
thanks to its newest EV SUV, which means the Model X’s sales are
expected to hover around 15,000 for the year.
Overall,
these are very high goals to achieve for an automaker that really has
no reputation or customer base to attach its wagon to yet. However,
there are tons of enthusiasts out there that would love nothing more
than a 300-mile-per-charge supercar that hits 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and
still hauls the family around. So, if Tesla remains true to its promises
with the Model S, we could all see this new automaker well exceeding
its projected goals.
We’ll be closely monitoring the
sales of the Model S to see if the demand is there and if this upstart
can provide ample supply if the demand is high.
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