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by Hellion 1307 days ago
Teslas are fine(ish) cars, but they seem resistant to forming deals to provide skateboards to niche applications, like Chinese companies are doing. There’s big money there!
4 comments

Why would they do that when they can't even meet Tesla demand?
While more complex unibody construction is generally better than frame on chassis. There is a reason most cars and SUVs are unibody and those won't change. Thus skateboard isn't a useful idea.

Trucks often are frame on chassis though, so if all you are going after is the truck market then skateboard makes sense. A worthwhile market for sure, but not as big as you think it is

Why would they reduce their margin when that was the hard part?
You want Tesla to sell skateboards? I don't get it.
In case the jargon isn't transparent, in automotive a 'skateboard' is roughly a flat frame with batteries, motor, motor controller, and suspension onto which you can bolt the rest. A vehicle platform, really.
"body on frame, but with a marketing twist so that keyboard commandos don't crap on it by making comparisons to antiquated vehicles"
Thanks for that. The jargon wasn't transparent at all. Makes perfect sense once it's pointed out though.
OP is referring to the battery, power electronics and drivetrain. If you picture lifting the body off - sorta looks like a skateboard. (although cars like Tesla are highly integrated - there's probably still good money to be made in selling the "dev kit")
I assume it’s the name for just a battery + chassis + electric drivetrain. Let’s customers put whatever “shell” they need over it.