Tesla Offers New Options, Price Increases

 Tesla has had a string of actions in the past few days (and ever since fall, really) aimed at increasing revenue and generate a profit according to the goals set out for 2009 by CEO Elon Musk.  These changes come along with the introduction of a new, higher priced Roadster Sport model as well.

One of those new options is an upgraded interior option, called the Executive Leather Interior and pictured above. In addition to this, they are also working on another interior option for the future, a clear carbon fiber and leather combination. The new packages are set to be available in May, with the Executive Leather Interior going for $6,000 and the Premium Carbon Fiber and Leather interior fetching $9,000.

Also new to the exterior is a Solar Guard Windshield, some new colors and option packages. One of them is the Clear Carbon Fiber Accent Group along with a Clear Carbon Fiber Hardtop, $5,000 and $9,000 packages respectively. As these options are available to those on the existing Roadster waiting list, Tesla is clearly hoping that some of their well-heeled customers will take the bait here, in what amounts to huge profit margins on options like these.

The biggest news in the changes really centers on a $12k option to pre-pay for a replacement battery pack. With the news of this options lies two new pieces of information; Tesla expects the battery pack to last for about 7 years and the current replacement cost is $30k (Wow! Talk about a lot of money!). The primary focus now for Tesla is to generate revenue until Roadster sales can be ramped up later in the year and second, until the company can get secure U.S government loan guarantees for the Model S sedan's development.