2022 Tesla Model X Plaid on 2040-cars

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Tesla: Earnings still down, but rate of Model S production way up

According to its Third Quarter 2012 Shareholder Letter, Tesla "is now at over 200 cars per week or 10,000 cars per year, which is at the critical threshold needed for Tesla to generate positive operating cash flow."
That's an important milestone to be sure, but the news is actually even better; Tesla expects to ramp Model S production up to 400 cars per week (20,000 units/year) by December of 2012, and says it will deliver 2,500 to 3,000 units in the fourth quarter of 2012. That's lower than the previous target of 5,000 in 2012, but it's more an issue of delayed achievement rather than missing the mark altogether.
All of that production bodes well for the future, but as of today, the automaker has yet to earn real money. Revenue for the third quarter of 2012 was $50 million, equating to a net loss of about $110 million after expenses were tallied. The stock market likes the numbers, with TSLA shares rising 8.9 percent on Monday after the report was released.

First Apple Watch app for Tesla Model S is here, thanks to Eleks

Modern technology is the science fiction of three decades ago. For example, not very long from now you may be able to control many of your car's functions directly from a watch, specifically the Apple Watch. While the wearable smart device isn't even on sale yet, the software developers at Eleks Labs already have a demo version of the Tesla iPhone app running on the gadget (operating in an emulator in the video above), and the programmers believe even more features could be possible later. The Apple Watch version of the app shrinks and streamlines the standard software to fit on your wrist. It still offers much the same functionality, though. The main screen shows the state of charge, range, and whether the Model S is locked, but by scrolling through the pages, users can also do things like open the doors, reposition the moonroof, adjust the climate control while away from the vehicle and much more. It's looks quite handy. There is a big downside to all of the features on the watch's app at the moment, though. According to Eleks Labs, the software development kit for the Apple Watch currently only lets programmers use the device as a bridge for the user's iPhone. That means people must keep their phone on them at all times to get any functionality on their wrist. Some of the gadget's controls are also still being limited, like its Digital Crown scroll wheel. It's not all bad news, though. The developers think additional functionality could be unlocked closer to when the Apple Watch goes on sale. It's possible future apps for the device might not even need to use the phone. While the demo is just a third-party app for now, Eleks Labs hopes to make it official. "Our biggest interest is to cooperate with Tesla to create true omnichannel experience across the car, the app and the watch. We're sure that Tesla owners would benefit most from this option. So we'll try to get in touch with Tesla Motors and arrange this," said Markiyan Matsekh, Product Manager for Mobility and Wearables at Eleks Labs, to Autoblog. Related Video:

New Jersey votes against Tesla, stores may close April 1

Doesn't New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have enough people mad at him already? Apparently not, since more than a few folks who like Tesla Motors are ready to get riled up. The governor is already embattled via his office's alleged role in a scandal involving politically-motivated lane shut-downs to the George Washington Bridge. And with him now deciding to let the state's motor-vehicle commission rule on allowing for Tesla to own its dealers, Tesla has likely lost that battle and may have to shutter its two New Jersey factory-owned stores by April 1, Automotive News says. Earlier this week, Tesla accused the governor on going back on his word after the company said it believed that the ruling would go before state legislature. Of course, the governor's office disagreed with that characterization. Kevin Roberts, a spokesman for Gov. Christie, sent a statement to AutoblogGreen that said: Since Tesla first began operating in New Jersey one year ago, it was made clear that the company would need to engage the Legislature on a bill to establish their new direct-sales operations under New Jersey law. This administration does not find it appropriate to unilaterally change the way cars are sold in New Jersey without legislation and Tesla has been aware of this position since the beginning. Tesla strenuously disagrees with that characterization, and Diarmuid O'Connell, Tesla's vice president of business development, told Bloomberg that, "any suggestion that Tesla was told 'since the beginning' about any problem with its ability to be licensed there is false." Representatives for New Jersey auto dealers say the ruling merely upholds current regulations and forces everyone to operate under the same mandate. Tesla first received approval to operate in New Jersey in the fall of 2012. Tesla has won court decisions regarding dealer allowances in Massachusetts and New York, though most notably lost one in Texas (the company also can't sell cars direct to customers in Arizona). In the past, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said he'd take the matter to the federal government, and we wouldn't be surprised to hear that sort of rallying cry come up again soon.