Photo: Tesla Motors
If there's one thing you can say about Elon Musk, it's that he always plans one, two, and maybe even more steps ahead. For a company that solely produces two low-volume models and is only just getting ready to build its first real mass-market product, Tesla knows surprisingly well what the future has in store for it.
Namely, a minibus and a semi truck. Two weeks ago, nobody had any idea of these two vehicles, and now we already have a very clear idea of when we'll get to see more of them. And not only that, but it's also very, very soon. During the investor call Elon Musk made after the company's second-quarter earnings were released, the CEO said that we should expect the unveiling of the two models to happen within the next nine months: “We expect to unveil those for the middle of next year, maybe the next six to nine months type of thing."
A few days earlier, Musk confirmed that the minibus would be built on the Model X platform, a detail that can explain the relatively advanced state of the model. However, the semi truck would most definitely be built completely from the ground up, which makes the tight schedule that more impressive. It means that Tesla has been quietly working on the project for quite a while, which is a testament to the company's ability to keep a secret.
At least in theory, Tesla is currently trailing electric start-up Nikola that has reportedly gathered 7,000 registrations worth $2.3 billion during its first month of pre-sales for its Nikola One electric semi truck. However, given Tesla's in-the-field experience of building electric vehicles and the recently unveiled Gigafactory, it sure looks like Musk's company can more than make up for the lost ground.
Musk did make a reference about the so-called Model Y, calling it the "obvious priority" after the Model 3, but he didn't give any new information about the car. All he said was that it is another model he expects to "see demand in the 500,000 to 1,000,000-per-year level."Judging how popular crossovers are right now and how well the Model 3 was received, we see no reason to question that.
A few days earlier, Musk confirmed that the minibus would be built on the Model X platform, a detail that can explain the relatively advanced state of the model. However, the semi truck would most definitely be built completely from the ground up, which makes the tight schedule that more impressive. It means that Tesla has been quietly working on the project for quite a while, which is a testament to the company's ability to keep a secret.
At least in theory, Tesla is currently trailing electric start-up Nikola that has reportedly gathered 7,000 registrations worth $2.3 billion during its first month of pre-sales for its Nikola One electric semi truck. However, given Tesla's in-the-field experience of building electric vehicles and the recently unveiled Gigafactory, it sure looks like Musk's company can more than make up for the lost ground.
Musk did make a reference about the so-called Model Y, calling it the "obvious priority" after the Model 3, but he didn't give any new information about the car. All he said was that it is another model he expects to "see demand in the 500,000 to 1,000,000-per-year level."Judging how popular crossovers are right now and how well the Model 3 was received, we see no reason to question that.
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