I totally agree with Martin Eberhard's approach to entrepreneurship: without having a true passion for a certain cause one cannot really become a successful entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs, by definition, have to always challenge common beliefs, have to think outside the box while engaging their energy in finding resources to sustain their ideas. They basically have to launch themselves in a small ship usually against unfriendly waters. It is definitely a rigorous task.
So, if the difficulties of such a challenge are worth surpassing because of the supposed noble aftermath (I am referring now to Tesla’s attempt to create an environmentally friendly car) why do I get the feeling that the actual outcome (I am referring now to the Tesla Roadster) is a bit of a compromise?  I completely understand that in order to be able to create a low-cost car that would be massively used, a company has to secure its economic situation first, but what about the initial goal? By only targeting the rich and exclusivist class, Tesla’s image will naturally relate to it and furthermore, it will continue to emphasize the common man’s idea that electric cars are merely an inaccessible alternative.
Therefore, living in these environmental problematic times, I would suggest that Tesla should secure its future market by creating a model of an accessible car and informing the future possible customers about it while selling the Roadster which would definitely secure their financial status.

Last edited by agansca (2007-10-15 19:40:09)

I agree with everything that's been said about doing something because it's meaningful, not because it promises huge payouts later on. I think all of the most successful entrepreneurs seek to not just get rich, but to make the world a better place.
Unlike some of the earlier posts, I think it's very understandable why Tesla would target the high end of the market first. While it's great to dream of targeting the mass market immediately, Tesla's strategy is a much more proven way to build a long-term enterprise.  With game-changing technologies like the one Tesla is introducing, the early adopters are almost always in the high end of the market. The high end is usually where the envelope is being pushed, and thus the high end is where innovative technologies are usually adopted. For instance, computers were initially adopted by governments and large corporations, whose demand drove innovation to the point where computers became broadly accessible to the entire populations. The same can be said for technologies like the internet, electricity, even the original automobile.
Tesla's strategy is to start at the high end of the market, and develop the technology to a point where it's economical to bring it to the mass market. I think it is a sound strategy, and look forward to seeing Tesla cars on the road soon.

In a time when energy saving alternatives and global warming issues are at the forefront of the news, I think that Tesla's cars will really start to change the face of the auto industry. Customer's will begin to consider alternatives to the traditional gas car  when there is a car that is as reliable, powerful, energy-efficient, and sexy as gas cars. And I think that Tesla has nailed it. I'm really impressed that Martin Eberhard had the guts to enter the well-established auto industry and to execute his vision of a revolutionary car from conception.  Going forward, I'm very interested in seeing how Michael Marks will be able to start the production ramp and scaling their products. Great lecture.

Martin Eberhard's lesson about doing something meaningful is, in a way, easier said than done.  It shows alot about the risks involved with trying to revolutionize the sports car, and show people that oil consumption can be limited without sacrificing quality.  This lesson goes along with his other lessons about being bold and aggessive with your ideas.  If you believe your idea will work for the better of the environment etc., then you should pursue that idea even though it goes against conventional standards.  Martin has shown his boldness and passion for his work by creating these types of cars.

Doing something meaningful is the only way to really be successful as an entrepreneur. Products that don't impact people's life for the better are usually nothing more than cleverly marketed goods. Good products gain popularity and survive based on their merit. The world needed something like this to prove the viability of electric cars to be efficient and have world-class performance. If an efficient way to recycle the battery waste can be found, electric cars like Tesla's can make zero-pollution vehicles a reality. The special copper core technology that gives Tesla's electric motors an edge might also find applications in industrial transportation of cargo and manufacturing processes.

Doing something meaningful may not be the "profitable" decision, but I think what Martin stated is very true, that if one truly has a passion and the fervent hope to contribute, the venture will undoubtedly be more likely to succeed and make it. I think its like getting the fundamentals right and letting everything else fall into place.