'Tesla killers' are having a really hard time killing Tesla

[Zorro]

It’s a trope that’s been around roughly as long as Elon Musk has been in the car business: When a new electric vehicle is unveiled, it’s dubbed a potential “Tesla killer.”

But from the flaming out of Fisker to present day, Tesla has largely dominated the American electric-vehicle market. Musk has even managed to expand the company’s preeminence over the still small segment despite two new battery-powered luxury SUVs arriving in U.S. showrooms in the last 10 months: Jaguar’s I-Pace and Audi’s e-tron.

Their starts are the latest indications that legacy automakers aren’t assured instant success when they roll out new plug-in models. Tesla’s Model S and X have largely held their own against the two crossovers that offer shorter range and less plentiful public charging infrastructure. Jaguar and Audi also lack the cool factor Musk has cultivated for the Tesla brand by taking an aggressive approach to autonomy and using over-the-air software updates to add games and entertainment features.

“If a customer is choosing the I-Pace over the comparable Tesla, they are making the conscious decision: I don’t want the Tesla,” said Ed Kim, an analyst at the car-market research and consulting firm AutoPacific. “You really have to be someone who doesn’t like Tesla, who doesn’t want the Tesla product, in order to go for this.”

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-08-19/tesla-killers-tesla-electric-cars-jaguar-audi-elon-musk

[fescuerescue]

1. I certainly don't want to see Tesla "killed"

But it sure would be nice if Ford, GM, Chrysler and the rest could catch up.

As long as electric cars are dominated by one manufacturer, prices aren't likely to decline to middle class affordability.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

2. still waiting for the electric equivalent of the old Beetle

Not interested in how many cupholders or USB ports or screens the thing has -- a basic commuter with reasonable creature comforts is needed.