Month: September 2014

Categories
I'm Getting A Tesla Internet Marketers

Latest Fantastic Tesla Plan – Internet Marketing All-Stars Make It Happen

Since I first drove a Tesla Model S back in June, it’s been really difficult to think about anything else.  I’m ‘driven’ to get one.  I HAVE to have it.
Some time back, I realized that Internet Marketers can make things happen.  They can help people create businesses and products that will change people’s lives.  Internet Marketers have ways to reach a lot of people, as in A LOT.  Combine the power of blogging, podcasting, YouTube videos, webinars, books, speaking, events and networking and the reach of the top internet marketers is truly amazing.  Many have worldwide audiences.
What’s more is that they have a huge amount of knowledge and experience – and many of them are willing to share it.  My thought is that those who do should be rewarded for it.
I’m going to be sending the following letter out to a hand picked list of Internet Marketers who I think should be included?  What do you think?  Do you know of any Internet Marketing All-Stars who should be included?
Dear Internet Marketing Rockstar:
Your time is valuable so I will keep this as brief as possible This letter comes with an opportunity to reach a lot of people not in your current sphere of influence, make some money – and have a Tesla Model S delivered to your home for you to drive for a week FREE.
I know you as an Internet Marketing Rockstar who has a good reach and a lot of great knowledge to share.  I want you to be part of my upcoming book tentatively entitled ‘The Rockstars of Internet Marketing’.  This book will include chapters by 15-20 of the world’s most knowledgeable internet marketers sharing their story and their biggest secrets on how anyone can create an income online.
If you choose to participate by contributing your story and a chapter of your best top level ideas on your chosen subject of expertise, you will be encouraged to include your bio, and links to your sites and programs which will lead to more sales and money in your pocket.  You will able be able to join the special authors affiliate program for the book, where contributing writers will earn 60% of all their affiliate sales.
This book will initially be sold as an ebook, but will also be printed as a softcover book as well.  As a special gift to you as a contributing author, I will send you 10 copies of the printed book for free to do with whatever you like – use them as business cards, sell them, whatever you choose!
As soon as you reach affiliate sales of 500 units, you will be put on the schedule to have a Tesla Model S delivered to you anywhere in the US for you to drive for a week at no cost.  If you have not yet driven a Tesla, it will be an experience you will not forget.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you want to be included in ‘The Rockstars of Internet Marketing’.  We have a submission target date of November 1, so that the book can be completed and on the market by Thanksgiving.
I would really be thrilled to be able to include you in this book – and look forward to personally delivering you a Tesla Model S for a week!
Joe Tesla Kennedy
424-234-8590
JoeTesla@ImGettingATesla.com
Joe@AwesomeLifestyleDesign.com

If you can suggest any of your cohorts, cronies or business partners who are internet marketing rockstars and should be included in this book, I’d love to hear about them.
BTW – You probably don’t know me, but I’m sure you’ve figured out that I am compiling this book to get a Tesla Model S and I want to share this experience with you and the world.

If you have 39 seconds to watch a video showing why I have to have it.
Categories
I'm Getting A Tesla Steve Lough

Two Screams to 60mph – A Tesla Roadster Test Drive

Today I went to the Drive Electric Week event at XXX Rootbeer in Issaquah, Washington.  It was a great event, with lots of different electric vehicles – including a few Tesla Roadsters – and Model S.  While there I met Steven Lough, President Emeritus of the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association.  Steven told me about this video of him test driving a Tesla Roadster in a parking lot here in Bellevue (it looks like the old K-Mart lot which is now home to LA Fitness and Walmart).  Fun video, I haven’t yet had the pleasure of driving a Tesla Roadster, but the video reminds me of Kids Having Fun in a Tesla.

Categories
I'm Getting A Tesla Model Software Tesla

Tesla Motors Announces Software v6.0 for the Model S

In a blog post on the official Tesla blog at TeslaMotors.com, Tesla has announced the release of their Software v6.0 for the Model S.  Some model S owners have already reported receiving the software update.
The Software v6.0 update introduces traffic-based navigation and commute advice, provides an in-car view of daily schedules, enables location-based air suspension settings, and allows owners to name their Model S and start it remotely using their mobile phone.
The new features included in v6.0 are:
Traffic-Based Navigation (BETA)
The Model S navigation system will be a lot smarter. Navigation will now provide route suggestions based on real-time traffic and calculate estimated travel times accordingly. It will also update dynamically as traffic conditions change throughout your trip. This feature will also take into account traffic data shared by other Tesla vehicles on the road.
Commute Advice
Navigation isn’t particularly useful when commuting between home and work because most of us usually know the way. But if traffic has an effect on a typical route, it’s helpful to know in advance. Now, Model S will monitor traffic before you even start your weekday commute and alert you with a pop-up message on the 17-inch touchscreen when a faster route is available.
Calendar (BETA)
Model S will synch with your smartphone to bring you a large in-car view of your daily schedule. If you’ve already set locations for particular events, you don’t have to worry about re-entering the details into your car’s navigation system. Instead, you can just tap on the event in your calendar to bring up route directions.
Remote Start
You will have the ability to start your Model S using only your smartphone. This function, which is particularly useful if you forget your key fob, will be accessible through the Tesla mobile app and requires you to input your password for each use.
Location-Based Air Suspension
If you regularly drive on roads or driveways that require higher than normal clearance, your Model S will remember where you previously selected high ride heights and automatically adjust the air suspension at those locations. This feature will be especially handy for people who have steep driveways. (Model S must be equipped with air suspension for this function to work.)
Name Your Car
You can now make your Model S nickname official. The car’s name will appear in the Tesla mobile app and in the About Your Tesla section on the touchscreen.  I’m still not sure what I will call my Model S when I get it, but am thinking ‘Manifestation’ or simply “Joe Tesla”.
Power Management Options
A new power management option will put Model S into energy saving mode at night to help maximize available energy. There’ll also be an option that allows the Tesla mobile app to always connect immediately to the car, while still saving power.
This software update represents Tesla’s commitment to improving Model S for customers even long after it has left the assembly line. With each update, Model S becomes more attuned and responsive to its owner’s needs without requiring excessive user input. Tesla Motors will continuously fine-tune the software and work on new features in response to customer feedback.
Categories
I'm Getting A Tesla Tesla Geneva

Tesla Motors Opens First Showroom and Service Center in Geneva

Tesla Motors has opened their third service center and showroom in Switzerland, with their new design center in Geneva.  Tesla improves their dedication to the Swiss market, where they had previously opened showrooms in Zurich and Basel.
According to an article at PureGreenCars.com the new Tesla facility is a full showroom connected to the service center with the Tesla Design Studio, where customers can configure their Model S. The 1,300 square meter facility is located in the Satigny Business Park in West Geneva, which is close to the airport, the A1 highway and the French border, convenient to customers in Greater Geneva, Western Switzerland, and France.
The service center in Geneva once again underlines Tesla’s commitment to the Swiss market. In addition to the new facility in Geneva, Tesla’s customer coverage includes regions such as Zurich, Basel, Bern, Zug, Eastern Switzerland, and, soon, the Ticino.
“Until now, our customers in West Switzerland had to go to Zurich or Basel to enjoy our store and service concept. This over recent years required a lot of dedication and understanding,” said Jochen Rudat, Country Director Tesla Switzerland. “We want to thank our customers and fans in Switzerland and reward this dedication with its own service center and showroom in Geneva.”
Categories
I'm Getting A Tesla Massachusetts Tesla Dealership

Tesla Wins Legal Battle in Massachusetts, Will Continue to Sell Independently

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court said Monday that Tesla Motors Inc. can continue selling its electric vehicles directly to consumers out of its showroom at the Natick Mall, next to stores that sell clothing, jewelry, and perfume.
The ruling caps a nearly two-year legal battle between the California automaker and the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association, which contended that Tesla’s storefront showroom violated a state law that bars manufacturers from owning and operating dealerships.
But the high court said the law applies only to carmakers that already sell through independent franchise dealerships.
The statute protects independent dealers that buy their inventory from manufacturers and mark up prices to make a profit; they could be harmed by competition from manufacturer-owned dealerships selling the same makes, which presumably could offer lower prices by cutting out the middleman.
Because Tesla is a new entrant in the Massachusetts auto market, there are no franchisees that could be harmed by direct sales. Therefore, the court said, the dealers association, which represents more than 400 businesses, had no standing in the case.
Read the entire article at BostonGlobe.com.
Categories
I'm Getting A Tesla Tesla Motors Content Links

List of Tesla Motors Related Content from SpeakEV.com

This is a great list of content related to Tesla Motors that was shared by Teo on the SpeakEV.com forum and I thought that I should share it here too.  I will be making individual posts about some of this content as I get to review it.
Tesla Related Documentaries
  1. Elon Musk: Bloomberg Risk Takers (2011, 52m, Moreflicks**)
    Available on Netflix US and Netflix Canada. Netflix UK Workaround* below
    SEARCH LINK (select 52 minutes long video)
  2. National Geographic Megafactories: Tesla (45m) Great documentary. Very good production quality.
    SEARCH LINK (select 44,45 or 46 minutes long video)
  3. Revenge of the Electric Car (2011, 1h 29m, Moreflicks**)
    Available on Netflix US, Canada, Norway. Netflix UK Workaround* below.
    SEARCH LINK (select 89 minutes long video)
Tesla Model S Videos
  1. Official Tesla Model S walkthrough video, 27m, LINK
  2. Official Tesla Model S touch screen video, 31m, LINK
  3. Mike Anthony interviews four Model S owners, LINK
  4. Bjørn Nyland videos LINK
  5. CNET videos LINK
Tesla Annual Shareholder Meeting Videos:
Tesla Conference Calls (audio recordings)
It will ask you for login details. You can enter any bogus information you want like John Smith info@example.com
Elon Musk Videos (sorted by date)
  1. Elon Musk, Model X Reveal, 9 Feb 2012, LINK
  2. Fireside Chat With Elon Musk, Pando Monthly, 12 Jul 2012, 1h 3m, LINK
  3. 2013 MotorTrend Car Of The Year, 12 Nov 2012, 20m, LINK
  4. Elon Musk, TED Talks, Feb 2013, 21m, LINK1, LINK2
  5. Elon Musk and Dr Steven Chu, 2013 ARPA-E Summit, 26 Feb 2013, 34m, LINK
  6. A Conversation with Elon Musk, Khan Academy, 17 Apr 2013, 48m, LINK
  7. Interview with Elon and Kimbal Musk, Milken Institute, 29 Apr 2013, 50m, LINK
  8. 2013 Teslive Event, 15 Jul 2013, 59m, LINK
  9. Elon Musk Dutch TV Interview, 20 Aug 2013, 26m, SEARCH LINK (select 26 minutes long video)
  10. Elon Musk Interview, Stanford GSB 2013, 2 Oct 2013, 53m, LINK
  11. Elon Musk NYTimes DealBook Interview, 12 Nov 2013, 24m, LINK
  12. Elon Musk Interview, LA World Affairs Council, 18 Nov 2013, 46m LINK
  13. Elon Musk Interview, Dell World 2013, 12 Dec 2013, 45m, LINK
  14. Elon Musk, Townhall meeting in Amsterdam, 2 Feb 2014, 56m, LINK
  15. Elon Musk, California Public Utilities Commission, 27 Feb 2014, 1h 53m, LINK
  16. Elon Musk, TV Interview in China, 22 Apr 2014, 23m, SEARCH LINK (select 23 minutes long video)
  17. Elon Musk, 2014 Export-Import Bank Conference, 25 Apr 2014, 28m, LINK
  18. CNBC’s number 1 disruptor Elon Musk, 17 Jun 2014, 21m, LINK
  19. Gigafactory Announcement, 4 Sep 2014, 25m, LINK
  20. Elon Musk, Japan Deliveries, 8 Sep 2014, 31m, LINK

Batteries
  1. About Tesla, Nissan, Volt batteries by Professor Jeff Dahn, 1h 13m, LINK
JB Straubel Videos (Tesla’s Chief Technology Officer)
  1. Roadster interview, LINK
  2. Electric cars presentation, LINK
  3. 2014 Energy Storage Symposium Keynote, LINK
  4. 2013 GCEP Symposium, LINK
  5. 2013 Energy@Stanford, LINK
Other Tesla Videos (sorted by date)
  1. Model S first deliveries, 22 Jun 2012, LINK
  2. Stanford Seminar by Dave Duff from Telsa Motors, 13 Nov 2012, 1h 17m, LINK
  3. Franz von Holzhausen (Tesla Motors Chief Designer), Interview, 15 Nov 2013, LINK
  4. Marc Tarpenning (Tesla Motors co-founder), Tesla Motors History, 5 Mar 2014, 1h 43m, LINK
  5. Bloomberg News, Tesla v. Dealerships, 17 Apr 2014, 48m, LINK
  6. Data management at Tesla factory using Tableau software, 2 Jun 2014, 51m, LINK

Content Indirectly Related To Tesla
  1. Radio Program About NUMMI Factory (61 minutes)
    This is a sad story about Toyota and GM’s Nummi Factory. Today that building is Tesla’s Fremont Factory where they build the cars. Tesla bought it from Toyota. It had a capacity of 500.000 cars per year. Elon Musk said in the future Tesla will restore the factory to its former capacity.
    In September 2014 during his Japan trip Elon said they have a lot of things to learn from Toyota. This radio program provides some background on why Elon said that. It gives a glance into a fascinating piece of history where two companies with very different cultures, Toyota and GM collided with each other. Maybe it also gives us some clues where Tesla could go and what kind of company they could become.
    Click on the small arrow under the picture. There is a 23 second radio advert before it starts.
    http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/403/NUMMI
  2. Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006, 92m, Documentary, Moreflicks**)
    Elon Musk talked about this documentary many times (link). He said when GM made the EV1 he thought they would continue with EV2, EV3. But when they crushed the EV1 that’s when he knew electric cars wouldn’t succeed without a new car company. In other interviews Elon said his motivation is to take a sad thing and change it into a positive. This documentary gives us an idea on the background why Tesla Motors was started.
    SEARCH LINK (select 92 minutes long video)
*Workaround to watch Netflix US from the UK:
  1. Sign up to Netflix UK on www.netflix.com
  2. In Google Chrome, download the extension ZenMate from here:https://chrome.google.com/webstore/search/zenmate
  3. When you install ZenMate it asks you for your email. This is not important. If you want you can enter a bogus email and make up a password. You won’t need these later.
  4. In Chrome on top right click on the green ZenMate icon and make sure location is US and it says ON.
  5. Go to netflix.com and sign in with your Netflix UK login details.
**Moreflicks: This website shows in what countries the film is available on Netflix or iTunes. When you open the Moreflix page, click on the Netflix or iTunes icon to see the country list.
Note to readers: Anybody can copy this list and create their own version on another website.
Categories
I'm Getting A Tesla Tesla Commercial Tesla Owners Rock

Nice Tesla ‘Commercial’ Video from a Model S Owner

Love to see Tesla being shared with children and the world.  Check out this short video from a Tesla Motors Model S owner:

Tesla Spec from Rob Perez on Vimeo.

Categories
Employment at Tesla Motors I'm Getting A Tesla

Still Waiting for a Call from Tesla Motors

Photo of Jacqueline Kennedy in a Tesla Model S. I sent a framed large photo of this to Elon Musk and never heard a word.
Almost a month ago I applied for a couple of positions working for Tesla Motors, hoping to work at either their Bellevue Square or Seattle stores, helping people learn about the great company, introducing them to their cars and ultimately getting them their own Model S car – as well as the future Model X crossover and the Model 3 (which is the upcoming Tesla which will be priced around $35k).
Since then, I have applied for several other positions with Tesla Motors, including sales in Vancouver and Hawaii and working for their online team in Palo Alto.  I prefer to be working in the Northwest to stay in the Bellevue / Seattle area to stay close to my daughter (who introduced me to Tesla when she was just 9 years old), but as I’ve told Elon Musk, I will do anything and start anywhere to be able to work for Tesla Motors.
A couple of weeks ago, I framed a large print of a picture of Jacqueline Kennedy sitting in a Tesla Model S while in the showroom in the Bellevue Square Tesla store and sent it to Elon as a gift, along with my resume and a letter of interest in working for Tesla Motors.  Every time my phone rings, I am hoping it is someone from Tesla Motors willing to give me an interview.  I’m very much looking forward to working for Tesla Motors, representing this great company and helping them advance their mission to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport by bringing compelling mass market electric cars to market as soon as possible.
Categories
Gigafactory I'm Getting A Tesla Nevada Tesla Motors

Tesla Motors, EV Industry to Benefit from $1.3 Billion Tax Incentive Package Signed into Law by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval

This is going to be HUGE for the state of Nevada, Tesla Motors and the entire electric vehicle industry.  It will surely help Tesla Motors and Elon Musk continue to change the world and help make our planet more sustainable.
Congratulations to the state of Nevada, Tesla Motors and kudos to Governor Sandoval for having the foresight to make such a wise and savvy decision.
This is a great step toward Tesla making a great electric vehicle in the $35k price range – which will greatly help many more people be able to afford cars that are more environmentally friendly – and fun to drive.
Calling it one of the most important pieces of legislation in Nevada history, Gov. Brian Sandoval signed into law an unprecedented package of incentives to seal a deal to bring Tesla Motors’ $5 billion battery factory to the Silver State.
The “gigafactory” is expected to bring more than 20,000 jobs and $100 billion to Nevada’s economy over the next 20 years. It will be the biggest lithium battery factory in the world and is critical to the electric car-maker’s plans to begin mass marketing a more affordable line of the vehicles within three years.
One lawmaker said it was the most important development in Nevada since the construction of the Hoover Dam southeast of Las Vegas during the Great Depression
“It doesn’t get any bigger than this,” Sandoval said as he put his signature to four bills late Thursday night, shortly after the state Legislature unanimously approved the package that includes tax credits and other incentives worth up to $1.3 billion.
“This is some of the most important legislation that’s hit this state in perhaps our history,” the Republican governor said. “We have changed the trajectory of this state, perhaps forever.”
Flanked by legislative leaders and dozens of lawmakers, Sandoval presented a Nevada license plate with “TESLA” to Diarmuid O’Connell, Tesla’s vice president for business development who helped pick the site at an industrial park along Interstate 80 about 15 miles east of Sparks.
“We are really excited to get going on this project,” O’Connell said, which will bring prices down for batteries to power its upcoming line of cars with a price tag less than $40,000. “It means so much for our mission, which is to catalyze sustainable transportation by creating a mass market for electric vehicles.”
Under the biggest piece of the package providing up to $1.1 billion in tax abatements, California-based Tesla would pay no property taxes or payroll taxes for up to 10 years and no local sales or use taxes for up to 20 years. Another $195 million in tax credits were also approved.
Tesla will have to give some or all of the money back if it fails to spend $3.5 billion in the state within 10 years. The agreement also mandates half the jobs go to Nevada residents, at both the factory expected to employ 6,000-plus and among the 3,000 projected construction jobs.
“This really is the definition of the rising tide lifting all boats,” said Steve Hill, director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “It wasn’t that long ago we were suffering through one of the worst recessions in Nevada history with 14.5 percent unemployment.”
Sandoval also signed three other bills that made up the package, one discounting electricity for Tesla and another ending a $25 million annual subsidy — $125 million over five years — for insurance companies to help pay for Tesla’s tax credits.
The final one makes it clear it is legal for Tesla to sell the cars it manufactures at dealerships it owns in Nevada. That had been a sticking point in Texas, which along with California, Arizona and New Mexico had competed with Nevada for the plant.
All four bills passed on votes of 21-0 in the Senate and 39-0 in the Assembly.
Some of the public comment questioned why such a big company needs such a big handout from taxpayers.
“I think it is kind of ironic that a renewable energy, a green energy car company we are courting to come to our state, that one of the things we are giving them is free energy,” said Angie Sullivan, a Las Vegas schoolteacher.
“Nobody pays my electric bill,” she said. “I think they are taking advantage of my state when we have limited funds.”
Earlier Thursday, several Senate Democrats objected to Sandoval’s plan to cut all but $10 million from an $80 million program the last Legislature approved providing tax credits to the motion picture industry. That $70 million combined with the $125 million from the home insurance office credit would offset a total of $195 million in Tesla tax credits.
“I think it sets a dangerous precedent when we passed the program in the Legislature and then in just seven months, we just wipe it out,” said Sen. Pat Spearman, D-North Las Vegas. “What if another shiny object comes along?”
But in the end, no one voted against the measure.
From The Detroit News:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140912/AUTO01/309120044#ixzz3D697F9e0
Categories
Elon Musk I'm Getting A Tesla Nevada Good on Business Tesla Gigafactory

Tesla Motors Picks Nevada for New Battery GigaFactory

Governor Brian Sandoval and Elon Musk, Chairman and CEO of Tesla Motors, announced today that Nevada has been selected as the official site for the Tesla Gigafactory.
“This is great news for Nevada. Tesla will build the world’s largest and most advanced battery factory in Nevada which means nearly one hundred billion dollars in economic impact to the Silver State over the next twenty years. I am grateful that Elon Musk and Tesla saw the promise in Nevada. These 21st century pioneers, fueled with innovation and desire, are emboldened by the promise of Nevada to change the world. Nevada is ready to lead,” stated Governor Brian Sandoval.
“I would like to recognize the leadership of Governor Sandoval and the Nevada Legislature for partnering with Tesla to bring the Gigafactory to the state. The Gigafactory is an important step in advancing the cause of sustainable transportation and will enable the mass production of compelling electric vehicles for decades to come. Together with Panasonic and other partners, we look forward to realizing the full potential of this project,” said Elon Musk, Chairman and CEO of Tesla Motors.
“On behalf of the State of Nevada, I would like to acknowledge this monumental day and provide my initial support. This is a significant opportunity to make a major stride to improve our statewide economy. I look forward to receiving the necessary information so the Legislature can meet and take necessary action to support this major industry coming to Nevada,“ stated Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick.