Chapter 214 A Hero of Civilization?
Chapter 214 A Hero of Civilization?
M Country, City of Angels, Tesla Design Center.
A press conference that has attracted much attention in both the automotive and technology industries was finally held here as scheduled. The scene was still Tesla’s usual dark style.
The venue was just a large conference room that could only accommodate about 500 people. Everyone was standing in the audience, squeezed in the front row, and even only half a meter away from the stage.
Everyone held up their mobile phones, waiting to see the tech giant who had just become the world’s richest man last year.
At the beginning of the press conference, there was a Tesla promotional video full of technology, showing their current products and production lines.
After the promotional video ended, Musk finally walked onto the stage slowly, greeted the audience, and then talked to everyone about Tesla’s experience in making electric cars like a casual chat.
In fact, the first electric car made by Tesla was the Roadster, a small convertible two-seater sports car. Only one was built, and it later became Musk’s private car and collection.
”The purpose of our making this car at the time was to break the stereotype that electric cars are ugly and slow, and to tell everyone that electric cars can also be fast and beautiful!”
”As it turns out, we did it.”
”From Model S to Model Y, and then to the later Model 3, our Tesla electric cars have been competing with the best fuel vehicles, and created global sales of 1.31 million vehicles last year.”
During Musk’s introduction, Teslas were driven onto the stage by employees one by one.
As the press conference progressed, he finally announced Tesla’s latest long-term strategy – MasterPlan3 “Secret Grand Plan Chapter 3″.
That is, the blueprint for the production model of automobiles, Cybertruck pickups, new car planning, super charging stations, capacity expansion and energy storage power stations.
In this pie-in-the-sky session, he brought out his Mars immigration plan and envisioned the scene of driving a Tesla on Mars.
Finally, it was the highlight of this press conference.
”Thanks to the joint efforts of our global battery suppliers LG and Songxia, our lithium battery technology has developed rapidly today.”
”The latest lithium battery with an energy density of 250Wh/kg can greatly reduce the size and weight of the battery pack while increasing the cruising range, freeing up more driving space and storage space for our electric vehicles.”
[1000KM cruising range]
As these big words appeared on the screen, there was a burst of screams and applause at the scene.
“Our new Tesla will increase the range of all models to 1,000 kilometers, and the long-range models can even reach 1,300 kilometers, which will completely solve the concerns of electric car consumers about the range.”
Musk used a lot of space to describe Tesla’s efforts to improve the range in terms of body design, energy efficiency, motor research and development, kinetic energy recovery system, etc. The improvement of battery technology has further magnified the role of these investments.
As for the price increase of 30,000 to 50,000 yuan for all models, he just briefly mentioned it.
However, it is easy for everyone to understand this.
Almost all electric vehicles have a high-range version, and the battery pack with a high range is larger and more expensive, which is also basic common sense.
It’s just that Tesla has forcibly raised the minimum range standard to 1,000 kilometers.
If users can’t accept it, they can also choose to buy an old Tesla.
But in fact, if you spend tens of thousands more, the battery life can be almost doubled. This is not a price increase at all, but a disguised price reduction! For potential customers of Tesla, this huge battery life upgrade immediately makes them more excited.
Overall, the press conference was relatively smooth, except for the final Q&A session, which made Musk a little unhappy…
Because during the entire Q&A session, media from both inside and outside the United States asked a total of 10 questions, 8 of which were related to China.
”According to data analysis, although Tesla left behind the pursuit of Chinese companies last year, it sold 1.31 million electric vehicles and ranked first with a market share of 16.4%, but its market share fell by 3.2 percentage points year-on-year.”
”China’s carsBYD, Shanghai Auto, Aion and other new energy vehicle brands have been frantically seizing the new energy vehicle market, especially in the Chinese electric vehicle market, which has brought severe challenges to Tesla. The Chinese market is the largest electric vehicle market in the world. How will Tesla plan to increase its market share in China in the future? ”
Faced with the reporter’s well-reasoned analysis and the act of pouring cold water on the spot, Musk would be happy.
Although he was unhappy, he still answered patiently with a blank expression: ”I just said that we will reduce the cost of electric vehicles and increase the affordability of products by improving the automobile production model.”
”At present, the localization rate of our Tesla Shanghai Super Factory has reached 95%, which has greatly reduced our automobile manufacturing costs. We will continue to strengthen the localization of the supply chain and improve the price competitiveness of our products. ”
As soon as Musk finished speaking, another reporter asked: “According to previous intelligence analysis, China seems to be vigorously promoting the battery replacement model for electric vehicles. Coupled with CATL’s major strategic adjustment from lithium to sodium, the intention is obviously to further reduce the cost of using new energy vehicles.”
”Mr. Musk, what do you think about this? If this model proves feasible in China, will Tesla launch a car product with separated battery in the future?”
Actually, Musk had thought that someone would ask this question before, so he had prepared the answer long ago.
He answered directly without hesitation: “First of all, what you call vigorously promoting the battery replacement model is actually just the personal behavior of a private enterprise in China, not an adjustment in China’s new energy development strategy. I think it is not an exaggeration to call it wishful thinking.”
”Secondly, in my opinion, the battery replacement model seems to be more like a curve development path to make up for the lack of technology through a business model. This is in serious disagreement with our Tesla’s concept of adhering to the scientific and technological development route. Therefore, we will not launch such a compromise product to the market and users! ”
There was a burst of applause at the scene.
Musk’s answer perfectly explains his crazy and arrogant character, and it is this character that makes him a crazy idealist.
If this kind of character is placed on ordinary people, it is just ungrateful, but on people like Musk who have real ability, it is an exceptional personality charm.
After the applause, a reporter from an island country suddenly asked another question: “The private enterprise in China that Mr. Musk just mentioned will also hold a press conference tomorrow, and its founder, Dr. Kang Chi, is also a legendary figure in China. Many people even compare him to the Chinese version of Mr. Musk. What do you think of Dr. Kang Chi?”
”In my opinion, he wants to be a national hero of China, and I want to be a hero of our civilization. ”
Faced with this slightly sharp question, Musk simply said a few words and resolved it directly.
Listen,
One is a national hero,
the other is a civilization hero,
who is higher and who is lower is self-evident.
Then the scene suddenly rang out the most exciting and enthusiastic applause since the start of the press conference…
(End of this chapter)