Tesla Motors says it’s delivered 500 Roadsters to date. Rather than keeping overheads low and consolidating its position in the EV sports car market, Tesla is busy expanding its dealer network and talking up the Model S. One wonders how Martin Eberhard, Tesla’s ousted founder feels about the company’s current direction. Probably pretty good; like Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Eberhard is one of those big picture guys. But there’s one thing for sure: there’s no love lost between Marty and Elon. In fact, Eberhard is suing Musk for defamation. Have a look at the the court filing pdf here. This is one of those original sources that’s actually well worth reading—if you’re a fan of ego wars. And who isn’t? Humor much? Oh yeah.
In the spirit of such revolutionary innovation, Eberhard’s vision for Tesla Motors was to create a high performance vehicle that would achieve the longest driving range of any other production electric vehicle by at least a factor of two . . . The “Tesla Roadster” (“Roadster”) is the embodiment of Eberhard’s vision—with an unsurpassable driving range of 250 miles per charge—other electric cars range at 50 miles per charge
Note: not “unsurpassed.” “Unsurpassable.” If that’s not an ego out of control, wait for Musk’s response. Hopefully, he’ll write something as devoid of legalese—and as suffused with hubris—as this document.
Anyway, TTAC’s relentless focus on Tesla’s bogus range claims is vindicated. We know of no Tesla Roadster that gets anywhere near 250 miles per charge. Oh wait; longest driving range “of any other production electric vehicle.” Gotcha.
There’s lots more, but there’s a Honduran with my name on it (cigar). Suffice it to say (for now), it’s an Eberhard’s eye view of Tesla’s entire history and Elon’s evil plan to steal the very idea of the company. And credit for the world’s fastest laptop battery. I mean batteries. I hope to God this isn’t settled out of court and, if it isn’t, that I can be there when this goes down. I really do.
Meanwhile, enjoy!
[thanks to Tesla Deathwatcher for the link]
I like Eberhard, and having seen Tesla and followed them in the early stages, I believe his story. That said, why does he continue this?
If he ‘resigned’ and Elon made statements that he was fired ‘for cause’ then that’s going to cost some money…
Regarding who is the founder of the company no one cares – especially a judge.
I’m waiting for the movie.
Throw these two in the octagon, put it on PPV and let’s get it over with.
There have been instances where a Tesla roadster has driven 240 miles on a charge. Anyways, I thought that TTAC was supposed to verify the range with Jason Calacanis’ roadster, what ever happened with that?
After reading the first 5 pages of the filing, I agree with Farago, this is going to be good. They should televise it. I would definately Pay-per-view it.
“I’m waiting for the movie.”
Was that a Tucker reference?
The way I read this:
Martin thinks posting a blog titled “stealth bloodbath” didn’t defame Tesla in any way and should be viewed as reason to terminate his severance agreement.
I don’t know any of the internal details, but as far as a lawsuit goes, I’d be surprised if this makes it farther than “summary dismissal”
dan.
Who edited that document?! It reads like a screenplay from Beverly Hills 90210.
The inclusion of Eberhard’s W-2 is a nice touch.
Solution: Tell Musk to publicly declare that Eberhard founded the company, supply Eberhard the severence pay, and then call it a draw.
How do you “consolidate” your position in a market you have no competition in?
Eberhard found himself some good lawyers. That document wasn’t found by an investigative reporter. Making a court document public is no defamation. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it works: In a court document, you can allege justabout anything “upon information and belief” Usually, these things get settled before they go to court and become public. If I’d be in Musk’s shoes, I’d have settled long ago.
Goodness. Does vaporware have scraps worth fighting over?
@bluecon: purpose of racist comment was ???
So, when I don’t differentiate between people with different skin color (since I and all biologists don’t think that there is more than one human race) that makes me a racist just because with my view there would never be diversity due to the lack of different “races”?
I think the whole system of keeping track of “race” and enforcing “diversity” is born in the mindset of racists (people who see black people to be from a different race than whites).
Everywhere in the US you need to write down your skin color “race”. And that in the name of non-racism? The last time that was being kept track off in Europe was in Germany 1933-1945.
There are only two groups of people, assholes, and non-assholes. They happen to appear in any of the skin colors. I guess that is diversity too :-)
Who knew so much drama could come from putting some batteries in an Elise?
@bluecom: Got it.
Best,
Dave
@Stein X Leikanger:
I wouldn’t call it vaporware. Tesla has sold 500 Roadsters to date, with some good reviews. I’d take a Model S someday if I had $60k laying around.
By comparison, the Volt really is vaporware.
WARNING: If the “racist” discussion continues, the thread will be closed.
@gslippy
I’ll stand by my vaporware comment. Many/most of the Teslas delivered are not to spec, have reduced battery capacity, will need replacement batteries sooner than originally specified, don’t have the range originally stated. Etc.
The whole Tesla mess is a big shame, but it could have been avoided, if the company had performed cursory reality checks re. what it wanted to deliver.
As stated above – who knew so much drama could come from putting batteries in an Elise.
Vaporware. There’s no technology being developed here.
I applaud Eberhard’s timing…having waited for subsequent rounds of funding (including the Daimler investment) to go after Musk and the company. HA Payback is a bitch!
@Stein X Leikanger:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=vaporware
I’ll agree to disagree based upon this definition. :)
Electric cars have been around forever. What makes the Tesla unique is its attractive package, reasonably long range (triple digits), high performance, and similar pricing for similar performance in a gasoline-powered car. Getting a set of batteries to do that is not easy, hence the technology development –> power distribution, motor efficiency, charging technology, weight distribution, safety, and thermal considerations are all formidable obstacles for electric car development.
Definitions aside, I don’t think electric cars are our transportation salvation – too little power density, and no portability.
But on the original point, I’m not so sure Mr. Eberhard has a claim. Defaming someone means that someone else knows and cares. I’m not sure anyone does. But if he’s owed money, he should get that.
If the “racist” discussion continues, the thread will be closed.
I thought the Tesla would made a good car for a racist. Provided the race isn’t more than a few tens of miles long. Or significantly uphill.
Thread closed.