While the relationship between Tesla and Mercedes-Benz is close and directed towards broadening cooperation (and giving the Americans indicator stalks, buttons), the Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of electric vehicles is not in the friends list of too many others…
In the case of BMW, for instance, Tesla CEO and co-founder, Elon Musk, recently made some comments as to the merits of the i3 EV, saying that it could have been improved in any number of ways – i.e. it was not on par with their larger offering.
Now, though, the Bavarians have taken a swing of their own, through the president of their North American operation, Ludwig Willisch. His side of the story is that the i3 is better than the Model S; he explained why in an interview with BusinessInsider.
His arguments are that the offering from BMW is built out of higher-tech materials that are light, strong and partly recycled/recyclable (a lower overall carbon footprint), while still offering the trademark BMW (rear-) drive experience. He adds that the price should be factored in too – i3 starts at just over $35,000 with the $7,500 federal tax credit deducted.
However, the two cars simply can’t be compared as they differ in many key areas. I think neither is better than the other because, aside from the fact that they run on electricity, there is nothing to connect them – it’s like comparing two conventional cars from vastly different size classes, and saying the less luxurious, less expensive and cheaper car is better because it’s… less expensive.
But what do you say; is it a fair comparison between the two? If so, does the i3 come out ahead of the Tesla based on Willisch’s arguments?
By Andrei Nedelea
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