Chariots On Fire

Wow! I thought we were done with all these stories -- but, not so fast!

Now Tesla's are bursting into flames.

Yahoo!News is reporting:

Tape of a Tesla on fire is giving new meaning to the term "hot wheels." The video was shot on Tuesday after a Model S sedan went up in flames. The driver was traveling down a highway in Washington State when he hit some metal debris. Fortunately he pulled over and got out of the vehicle safely. Soon the luxury electric ride was a fireball.

As the video went wild on YouTube, Tesla's stock began tanking. It dropped more than 6% on Wednesday and moved lower again on Thursday.

In an e-mail sent to The New York Times, Tesla spokeswoman Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean wrote that the fire was caused by the “direct impact of a large metallic object to one of the 16 modules within the Model S battery pack.”

The e-mail went on to say, “Because each module within the battery pack is, by design, isolated by fire barriers to limit any potential damage, the fire in the battery pack was contained to a small section in the front of the vehicle.”

Sounds like everything was under control. Right? But the video appears to show anything but containment of the flames. Perhaps that's why investors began selling Tesla stock.

Fire containment:

Fire containment, according to Tesla spokesperson
Yes, indeed, it does appear that the fire was confined to one of 16 modules. Once the firemen put out the fire, the driver got back in and drove home. The remaining 15 modules had adequate power remaining. The driver will probably have his 6-y/o son replace the burned battery, Lego-like.

It should be noted that when a conventional automobile runs over a nail, a flat tire often ensues, but seldom a fire. At least in my experience.

Analysts have been predicting a pull-back in the price of Tesla shares. Analysts are getting better and better every day.

Flashback, someone noted:

"The Tesla Model S was deemed the safest automobile ever by the National Highway Traffic Safety Board, that's no exaggeration and I'm no spokesman; in the simulated collision tests the Model S charted the best outcome of any other car especially those with a combustion engine."