Comment by anony999 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by anony999 | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

>> People already see some value in Teslas self-driving technology. And that value will continue to go up for a long time. Up to the point where you tell your car "Hey, go get me a pizza".

You are aware that real self driving(L5) is not possible without some AI breakthroughs, right? All the promises you see from Elon are just pure BS. Your tesla has issues seeing a big truck straight in front of the driver lane so you can forget the "Hey, go get me a pizza" command.

I can't really see many reasons to buy a Tesla except its propulsion technology (i.e. big batteries). I doubt that's enough to compare it with the iPhone which was really more about software than hardware. Tesla software/user experience is not significantly better than a dumb car with carplay or just an ipad fixed on board. The only way for Tesla to win more market share is for the competition to ignore/defy the wanna be EV consumers.

> Tesla software/user experience is not significantly better than a dumb car with carplay or just an ipad fixed on boar

That's only part of it. It also includes the prestige and social cache. Once upon a time, apple was the same. Me, i don't care, but all the fancy ppl around me, the multi generational wealthy and boomers, can't get enough Teslas. That desire for luxury may wax like apple... or the coming recession may sponch it.

> Tesla software/user experience is not significantly better than a dumb car with carplay or just an ipad fixed on boar

I'd say it's much worse. Putting all the controls including a/c on the tablet is an extremely bad idea.

"Prestige" in regards to Tesla appears to be regional at best. Nobody I know (including myself) even considers Tesla at its price range due to competition (Mercedes, Audi, Porsche) completely outclassing it in terms of design and features, which is an important factor here in Europe. Tesla largely appears to be a footnote when it comes to EV choices in this part of the world.

Tesla still has an "early adopter" and tech aura(IMHO). I wouldn't say it's seen as luxury in Europe. I believe they sell well in Europe because they have the best batteries/range and little competition. I believe once (if) Mercedes and the other brands ramp up production on their electric cars Tesla will have a very hard time competing. They have to deliver either better tech or better value(price). They cannot compete on "luxury" or brand. Tesla itself markets as a tech company (to investors and everyone else). It sells the first move advantage(i.e. battery tech, economy of scale)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com