[melvinram]

Imagine telling someone in 2003 that this was going to happen. It would have been seen as a joke (as some are seeing it today) or something that absolutely wouldn't happen.

If this is not a joke, this seems like the best indicator that Tesla is meeting it's mission to "accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy."

Tip of the hat to Elon.

[croes]

It's more like Volkswagen's attempt to get rid of the bad PR from the emission cheat scandal. Without that electronic cars wouldn't be on VW's agenda.

[shrimpx]

I don't believe that at all. These giant companies are not just in the business of fending off bad PR, they're looking to make a lot of money for their investors, for decades to come.

[balozi]

Reminds me of the Netflix / Qwikster fiasco. They can still transform without changing their name. Less effort and resource on PR, more effort on the sustainability part.

[6gvONxR4sf7o]

Isn't it more likely that it's just electric's time? Like when you see a bunch of people inventing similar things, not because they're copying the first person, but the rest of the context is such that the invention is finally important and achievable? Maybe I'm just being contrarian, but I feel like this "first mover was a visionary compared to the second or third" thing is like the Great Person theory of history and overdone.

And people will twist it either way. A second mover doesn't appear soon, so the first is way ahead, or a second mover does appear, so it must be because of the first's influence.

[jonplackett]

Just checking the calendar. Nope not April 1st yet!

[barbazoo]

It is a premature April fools joke.