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Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard
Tesla is not doing things like most other car makers. They use the actual year a car is manufactured - for its model year.
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That only works if you don’t redesign your vehicles. Image Toyota trying to sell the 2018 Toyota RAV4 next to the 2019 RAV4 and calling both a 2018. It would be mass confusion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard
They have improved / fixed things as needed; not waiting for the "next model year".
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I work for one of the oldest auto manufacturers in the world. I’ve been involved with 533 changes so far this year, none are tied to a model year change. (That is just parts I have responsibility for)
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard
It is unlikely that they will make wholesale changes - making a design change for the sake of change - is exactly what they WON'T do.
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Even if you never make a change, you still have to build replacement tooling. Tooling wears out and if a company is going to spend the capital to build a new tool it only makes sense to make changes while they are at it.
Then there is the basic fact that most people don’t want to buy a new car that looks just like their old car. They want something new that looks new. The 3 year refresh / 6 year redesign cycle is there for a reason. Visually changing the look of the vehicle every 3 years lines up with the traditional length of leases and loans.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard
I hope that other car makers will follow the principles that Tesla has. Aerodynamics should drive the design - not stylists.
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There a many ways to hit the same drag coefficient. The Prius and S-Class both have a drag coefficient of 0.24