Tesla Model S A “Top 10 American Car Of All Time,” Terrorizes Oil Industry

In the latest of a very long line of accolades and distinctions that the Tesla Model S has carved out for itself during the last few years, the highly regarded electric vehicle (EV) was recently named by Motor Trend as one of the “10 Greatest American Cars of All Time.”

That’s certainly not subtle praise is it? And look at the cars it sits next to on the list. And remember — this is Motor Trend!

Perhaps the Tesla Model S isn’t “simply” one of the top 10 American cars of all time, though, but rather simply one of the top 10 cars of all time? Certainly a debatable position to my mind (the P85D is the version I have in mind, of course).

In addition to the recent article from Motor Trend, the Model S also had the rather curious distinction of being featured on the cover of a prominent oil industry magazine — Alberta Oil, The Business of Energy. Interestingly the text on the cover reads: “Hell On Wheels. A super-charged sports car powered by solar. Does Elon Musk’s Tesla Model S signal the beginning of the end for oil?”

Interesting way to get someone’s attention, especially with regard to the solar comment. The rather interesting article can be found here. (Tip of the hat to Lanny on the Tesla Motors Club forum.)

To end things on a strong note, here’s an excerpt from the Motor Trend article (which, again, can be found here):

The mere fact the Tesla Model S exists at all is a testament to innovation and entrepreneurship, the very qualities that made the American automobile industry the largest, richest, and most powerful in the world. We’ve not yet become a nation of bankers or burger-flippers. America can still make things. Great things. But what marks the Tesla Model S as one of the all-time great American cars is that it has single-handedly changed the tenor of the conversation about electric vehicles. The Model S made electric cars cool for auto enthusiasts. How? It’s good-looking and fast. In fact, with 0-60 mph taking just 3.2 seconds, it is the quickest American sedan ever built.

Even if one were to somehow have a not very good opinion of the Model S and Tesla, you’d still have to admit that Elon Musk certainly seems to know how to build a brand and play the PR game. But the car obviously has a lot of merits that have impressed auto journalists around the world. And speaking of geography, it’s sort of humorous in this context that Elon Musk is from South Africa, isn’t it?