Tigress CIO On Tesla: Range Is A Major Consideration For Customers

Speaking to Benzinga, Tigress Financial Partners Chief Investment Officer Ivan Feinseth discussed Thursday's upcoming Tesla Motors Inc TSLA press conference on "range anxiety."

Feinseth indicated that range anxiety had been one of the major impediments to Tesla, however, in many cases drivers don't actually travel extended one-way distances.

Because drivers often travel in areas close to home and work, there are often many places to charge, Feinseth noted, including at a home garage and at some of the corporate campuses in California.

Nevertheless, Feinseth pointed out that when deciding to purchase a Tesla versus other similarly priced vehicles, range is a major consideration.

Performance, features and the exclusivity of a Tesla were seen as the three motivating factors for purchasing a Tesla vehicle, according to Feinseth.

Feinseth felt the that ideal drivetrain was an electric car with an additional fuel-powered backup generator such as what it used in the General Motors Company GM Volt and ELR.

Related Link: Exclusive: Kelley Blue Book Analyst On Tesla's Range Anxiety

Looking ahead, Feinseth thought that Tesla's SUV would be the company's best seller, as buyers want utility and the ability to carry a family with AWD.

As far as the stock was concerned, it was "hard to value" at this time due to present revenue and earnings.

Feinseth thought that the products were of quality and "revolutionizing" and by the time other brands begin to seriously compete in the electric vehicle space, "Tesla will be an established brand" and it already had a strong foundation with a dealer network and strong presence.

In conclusion, Feinseth said that the "push-out of the SUV from the first quarter to the third quarter was a major negative" and was "the main reason" the stock was trading below $200.

Tesla recently traded at $195.80, up 3.77 percent.

Kevin Riley and Brianna Valleskey contributed to this report.