Eleon · mask CEO appears at the release event of Tesla 'Model S' in Japan

Tesla Motors, a Silicon Valley Electric Vehicle (EV car) maker, today, from September 8, 2014, finally the luxury sedan type "Model S"Japan Delivery started. To the Japanese car delivery commemoration ceremony of Tesla Model S, PayPal co-founder · space companySpaceXFounder of Tesla Motors CEOEarlon maskMr. came to Japan to celebrate the delivery of the model S and talked about the future of Tesla including Japan.

Tesla Motors
http://www.teslamotors.com/jp/models


◆2014/09/08 15:00
Tesla Model S arrived at Roppongi Hills at the venue for delivery car event.


To the Museum Observation Deck.


The receptionist came into sight.


Many reporters when going to the 52nd floor venue with an elevator. You can see the height of attention of Model S and Mask CEO.


Although the weather is unfortunately cloudy, it is quite a spectacular view.


◆2014/09/08 16:00
·presentation
By the time, CEO Eylon Mask arrived at the venue.


Model S will run on public roads in Japan from this evening. And, you can use the quick charger named Super Charger to be released for the first time in Japan tonight for everyone who owns Model S. A supercharger in Japan is free.


The supercharger uses electric power to obtain electric power. We believe that the supercharger 's power grid can greatly contribute to the construction of Japan' s power grid infrastructure. We plan to introduce more photovoltaic power generation systems in the future.


I will talk about model S. Model S achieves unprecedented long-distance traveling with an EV car of 500 km.


All the batteries installed in Model S are made in Japan. Model S sold all over the world such as the USA and China All batteries are made by Panasonic. In other words, "the heart of Japan" is installed in Model S.


·Question-and-answer session
Q:
Why was the delivery to Japan delayed?

Mask CEO:
First of all, it is a big reason to correspond to the right steering wheel. Another one is Japanese compatible. I can not pass it in English as it is. We finally can deliver it after the two work has been completed. It means that it took time to maintain the basic infrastructure exactly.

Q:
From now on how do you think about the importance of Japanese market · Japanese technology for Tesla development?

Mask CEO:
The most important thing in EV cars is batteries. Panasonic is one of the most important partners including not only the battery installed in the EV car but also the construction of Gigafactory (Note: Tesla's battery manufacturing factory) construction. And I hope that Japan will be the third biggest market in the world after America and China.


Q:
It was a long way to entering the Japanese market. There was also a Lehman shock. What was the biggest thing so far?

Mask CEO:
I was trying to compile large finance around 2008. However, at that time, GM and even Chrysler dropped the line. Even more, it was very difficult to collect investment in EV cars. I also cast many of my personal property to Tesla. As a result of finally being offered funds to Daimler Panasonic Toyota, I came here.

Q:
Japan has a view that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are next generation EV cars.

Mask CEO:
In my opinion, hydrogen fuel cells are not the way to go. A lot of energy is required to make hydrogen itself, there are problems of hydrogen storage and transportation. My opinion is that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are difficult. Of course, technical trials have big significance.


Q:
About important partner Panasonic. Do you keep up with Tesla's business speed?

Mask CEO:
Panasonic is a wonderful company. Yamada vice president is also a big fan of Tesla (laugh) Panasonic has dated Tesla above normal speed. I think that they are giving good influence to each other.


Q:
About automatic driving car?

Mask CEO:
Previously, "It is necessary for 10 years for automatic operation to come into practical use", but the speed of technology evolution has been acceleratingly increased here. I am thinking that it will reach practical level after 5 or 6 years if it keeps it like this.

Q:
What is the relationship with Toyota?

Mask CEO:
Toyota is a wonderful partner. Moreover, it is also a major shareholder of Tesla. Once the program (battery supply program to RAV 4) is over, it is no wonder if you are doing a larger scale of efforts a couple of years later. I do not have any concrete plan yet.


Q:
What do you think about patent strategy? (Note: Tesla releases more than 200 patents related to EV cars held in June 2014 and has become open source)

Mask CEO:
It may be said that it was "a ridiculous decision" in future generations. However, in order to develop and spread the EV car, I believe it is important to open it freely and use it. Of course, it is important to run at the cutting edge in technology, and of course Tesla will continue to run at the forefront of EV car development in future.

Q:
I heard that I went to a ramen shop last night. How was the taste?

Mask CEO:
I went to Ramen Jiro Shinjuku store. It was delicious with big boiled rice. With a friend and walking in and saying "It looks delicious". I also bought a ticket at a vending machine. I also drank Asahi beer. It was very enjoyable.


◆Delivery event
Mask CEO's presentation is over and the car delivery event starts. Today after this car delivery event, Tesla Model S will finally start running on the Japanese road.


Model S. unveiled. Model S was prepared for a long time at Roppongi Hills 52th floor.


It is Vice President Yoshihiko Yamada of Panasonic which is the owner of No.1 car that receives the key from Mask CEO. I bought it at my own expense.


The owner who reserved for the first time kept waiting for three years, and it seems that the excitement appears.


At the end photographed in Kinen. Delivery event finished in a peaceful atmosphere.


After the delivery car event, I was able to see the prepared model S carefully.


Trunk room is fairly wide.


A memorial date is put in it.


white collar


The tire is 19 inches


Storage space under hood. Model S carries the motor on the rear.


A mechanism that the doorknob jumps out when a person holding the key reaches out. It is stored for running air resistance reduction while driving.


Sheet of leather is considered considering holdability.


17 inch display in center part.


All the control of the interior and the vehicle is done by this touch panel.


Speedometer is also displayed.


Rear seats can be defeated by split type.


There is air conditioner for rear seats.


It is exactly like a "premium sedan".


◆Supercharger
Move to Grand Hyatt Tokyo parking lot. There are over 10 models S sliding.


Behind this dark blue model S ... ....


Tesla's quick charger "super charger" was installed.


The character of "TESLA".


Mask CEO demonstrated fast charge.


Just fill the tip of the nozzle of the supercharger when opening the power supply port which is not the filler neck. Mask CEO to appeal "It's just this" and simplicity.


And this doyy face.


Charging is completed in about 20 minutes if you use a super charger. It plans to be deployed nationwide to compensate for the short cruising distance which is the weakest point of the EV car. The owner of Model S can use it for free.


In the future, a supercharger network will be built nationwide.