Thread

Tesla takes on $30B in credit as it approaches unprofitability

161 points · 221 comments · ciconia

rgmerk · 1790747861 · focus · HN ↗
Look, I get that Elon wants to chase AI, but why not do relatively simple, low-cost things like build a proper 7-seat SUV that uses the Cybertruck platform - or even a properly stretched Model Y platform (rather than the six-seater L)? Or how about a delivery van on a stretched Y platform?
Tesla's product line is narrow and aging rapidly.
1. tehlike · 1790748152 · focus · HN ↗
  I would also like a 7 seater, but that might be uniquely american concept.
  1. eddythompson80 · 1790748776 · focus · HN ↗
    Not really. Peugeot has been making 7 seaters for over half a century now.
  2. Svip · 1790749038 · focus · HN ↗
    In Europe, they are usually known as MPVs or "people carriers"; Renault has made their Espace since 1984 (though, it looks like they abandoned that format in 2012); there was also the Renault Grand Scénic, which ended in 2022. So not a uniquely American concept, but it seems like the market in Europe for them is thinning significantly. A shame though, I really like the look of that Espace mk1.
    zh3 · 1790749795 · focus · HN ↗
    Also the Citroen Grand C4 [1], which is a 7-seater where the back row fold down to get a completely flat foor - great family car. It's been replaced by the Space Tourer now I believe, which goes up to a 9-seater.
    [1] <a href="https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/used/citroen/grand-c4-picasso" rel="nofollow">https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/used/citroen/grand-c4-pica...
    ygra · 1790749997 · focus · HN ↗
    It's not really a vehicle that many people need. Our VW Caddy seats 7 with the third row of seats, but that was installed for a week before we took it out and it's been in the garage since then. I've had the car full of stuff more often than I had it full of people. And even then it's mostly air in a car that's shaped like a brick wall that's been driven around most of the time. I can drive it at around 6.5 l/100 km of gas, but 7.1 is more typical. So a more sensible choice would have been a smaller and more efficient car.
    drcongo · 1790755095 · focus · HN ↗
    Full size MPVs are status symbols in Japan and China, they're making a little bit of a comeback in Europe at the moment with various copies of the Toyota Alphard like the Lexus LM and about 50 different Chinese clones arriving soon like the Denza D9, Xpeng X9, Zeekr 009 etc. I have an imported Vellfire, so I'm quite exited for all the clones coming.
  3. Hamuko · 1790750892 · focus · HN ↗
    Any more than the four-door full-size pickup truck that is the Cybertruck?
  4. IsTom · 1790753133 · focus · HN ↗
    I've seen taxi drivers use them in Europe multiple times basically every time you want to transport more people. Beats using 2 cars.
  5. fjlunky · 1790753701 · focus · HN ↗
    I feel like the opposite is true, Americans seem oddly opposed to vans, minivans, and people movers. Toyota alone make something like 20 different models with three rows of seats as standard, and school event parking where I am is packed with 7 seaters. Wasn’t Tesla Model X a 7 seater?

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