Formation of Tesla Advanced Automation Germany
Not only has Tesla created the greatest external challenge to the German auto industry that I can think of. They also have the nerve to attack them in their own backyard where they can take advantage of German suppliers etc. What will be next? A Gigafactory in Europe?<p>This is great news for people who like tech but must be worrying for the German automakers who have yet to come up with a trustworthy answer to Tesla.<p>I believe one of VW, Mercedes Benz and BMW will bankrupt in 5-10 years. None of them have taken EV serious yet and I fear it&#x27;s soon too late. The EVs that they have come up with as answers to Tesla are almost cartoonish like vehicles. Take a look at this Mercedes EQ: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.autoblog.com&#x2F;2016&#x2F;09&#x2F;29&#x2F;mercedes-benz-generation-eq-concept-paris-official&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.autoblog.com&#x2F;2016&#x2F;09&#x2F;29&#x2F;mercedes-benz-generation-...</a><p>Or this VW I.D.:
<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;techcrunch.com&#x2F;2016&#x2F;09&#x2F;28&#x2F;meet-the-i-d-volkswagens-first-purely-electric-car-on-track-for-2020&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;techcrunch.com&#x2F;2016&#x2F;09&#x2F;28&#x2F;meet-the-i-d-volkswagens-f...</a>
Same blue lights. I bet they will come with a space suit and a laser gun as well.<p>Both are still concept cars but they represent what they expect their EVs should look like. Mind you that this is something they plan to market in 2020 so it will probably be 2021 or later. And their planned 2020 EVs are inferior to Tesla model S, X and 3 in 2016&#x2F;2017 in many ways, not just design wise. It is as though they think only hipsters will drive EVs in any foreseeable future.<p>So when in 2021 they realise that they underestimated that ordinary people want an EV that looks no more spacey than a combustion engine car, but comes with wireless upgrades, long range batteries, large trunk, fast acceleration, high safety rating etc., they will have to wait another 3-4 years until they have a real answer ready. By then, model 3 has been on the market for close to a decade and even better Tesla models with better range, faster charging etc. have been introduced. And the Tesla cars will have been trained with tens of billions of miles of self driving by then. How are the Germans going to catch up?