If you mean vehicle development, Tesla does that, continuously. A 2022 model 3 is a different car from a 2018 model 3, as much as a 2024 highland is. You don't need to touch the exterior to improve the car.
We consider cars more fashionable than shoes.
Other companies like BMW are doing very well with electric models because they are focused on delivering the same "BMW experience" in electric models.
As far as I can tell the 3 and the Y are decent vehicles but no longer illicit the kind of emotion that excites a purchase. I don't get the cybertruck at all in terms of product/market fit. Seems like an "Edsel moment" to me.
For most other EVs, it still feels like you're sitting in a car.
The main reason I'd consider something other than a Tesla today:
- What's the maximum range
- How much range do you get for the price
- What's the total cost (there are cheaper cars that look great)
Also, sitting in a Tesla on the road is a lot less special nowadays. It is the most common model. This used to be an argument I heard about why people would pick a Polestar over a Tesla: People would say "Hey, there's a car." and not "Hey, there's a Tesla." -- but nowadays, Teslas are as ubiquitous as cars, and all the new EVs have annoyingly bright beams.
In my opinion, it's the latter, after observing how my parents adapted to driving a Tesla. I was actually concerned it'd be a hard transition, but I only had a couple "support calls" related to the car.
Windshield wipers where “auto” actually works.
Not having the car system (music, AC, etc.) turn off because the driver left the car.
High road noise
Yes, it is stalkless. You get used to this in minutes, and, IME, stalks feel antiquated soon after that.
It drives really well and is a much smoother and quieter ride than our 2020 Model 3 LR without sacrificing performance.
I also drove the 2022 Model S refresh. This car was also very nice, but it feels heavy and, in my opinion, doesn't command the cost they're asking for it (especially when it was, like, $110k for the LR variant). Also, it's headlights are somehow worse than the Model 3.
Its not happening anytime soon, especially if tesla want to rely solely on visuals inputs without lidar.
Why must a manufacturer change a great design just to satisfy the subset of customers who have an irrational need for annual novelty?
Surely the sales figures for the 3 and Y speak for themselves.
Tesla is not stagnating. It continues to dominate.
Tesla isn't Porsche, their designs are getting stale.
When it comes to phones, buyers are smart enough to realise that it's what's inside that counts - the processor, screen tech, cameras etc. They understand that iterating these components is more important than iterating the superficial shell they're housed in.
Unfortunately the car market is irrational. Some customers want superficial new shells every year, in order to show off to others that they're wealthy enough to refresh their car.
These kind of customers may not appreciate that since 2012, Tesla has delivered several radical new Model S vehicles, albeit in the same skin. The Model S has been:
* transitioned from a single motor to triple motors (for extra performance and torque vectoring).
* increased its power from 363 hp to 1020 hp, with a breakthrough carbon-wrapped rotor allowing much higher RPM, and improved drivetrain efficiency.
* replaced its 60kWh battery pack with a 100kWh pack, improving range, longevity, power delivery and charging speed.
* made major iterations to the computer, with many new capabilities added in hardware and software.
* improved full self driving to the point where it can navigate city streets with barely any intervention.
* completely revamped the interior. Ventilated seats. Rear screen. Acoustic glass. Improved legroom and headroom. Heat pump for HVAC
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There are many benefits to customers in Tesla preserving the exterior shell of the vehicle - in particular it means servicing is easier and cheaper, as there is less variation in parts between model years. Accessories from earlier cars are compatible with later cars. There is less needless devaluation of older models.
Other car companies are evolving their tech and their designs, while Tesla is seemingly only doing half of that.
[1] Unless we want to count the iPhone SE, their cheapest budget-oriented phone, but that only proves my point further that new designs are valued more.
I do agree saturation of seeing Tesla everywhere is real, but you have to stay rational. And rational means mass production vs 10k Ioniqs or whatever.