could that rooftop real estate be better used for solar panels which could allow to charge while driving? It panels added another 20% range..
Sorry to disillusion you, but in the 3+ hours it would take to use all of a Tesla's juice driving continuously, you might add 0.5% more range, and that would only be if the 3 hours of driving were in the middle of the day and it is sunny. This is based upon a quick and dirty estimate of what one of my 30 rooftop panels produces. I doubt any car has more rooftop surface area than one home solar panel.
I think nearly everyone would admit in retrospect that the falcon wing doors were not a good idea. If there is eventually a Model Y (smaller SUV), I'll bet it does not have them.
As for glass, obviously Elon is enamored with it, because all 3 Tesla models have a lot of it. As far as glass road damage is concerned, that tends to be mostly front facing windshields. Model 3 and Model S have big windshields but not that different from many modern cars. The Model X windshield is enormous, extends over the driver's head, and of course if you get a typical truck gravel crack in front, you would have to replace the whole thing.
Model S glass moonroof cars like mine do have slots to install a roof rack. Most Model S owners would try to avoid a roof rack as it would cut range. Skis fit just fine inside inside Model S, and should fit in Model 3 as it has rear fold down seats.
I think, if they can avoid glitches and deliver on time and have a parts network in place, the Model 3 will be a huge success for them.
I agree these are the keys.
1) Minimize the quality control problems of the early Model S and X cars. From all I read they have gone for as much simplicity in design this time.
2) With that order of magnitude volume increase, Tesla needs more service centers even if reliability is up to typical modern standards. It is NOT obvious to me that they are building enough of those. From a conceptual standpoint, electric cars rate to require far less maintenance than gas cars due to so few moving parts. I have a feeling Tesla thinks they don't need as big a service network relative to number of cars on the road as gas car companies.
3) Some slippage in the ramp up production timetable will be tolerated IMHO if the quality control is good. The slower it is, the more people will give up and cancel orders. But I personally think the greater damage to Tesla's reputation would come from producing a bunch of bad quality cars that either can't be fixed at all or would totally overwhelm the thin service center network attempting to fix after delivery.
