3 ms·

Can Tesla really produce cheap cars with decent quality? They already have huge problems with the not-so-cheap models. And the software that used to be secret

Can Tesla really produce cheap cars with decent quality? They already have huge problems with the not-so-cheap models. And the software that used to be secret sauce is now subject of multiple court cases after some crashes and multiple deaths.

erichocean 3y ago
https://electrek.co/2022/06/15/tesla-tops-list-most-satisfied-customers-entire-auto-industry/ https://electrek.co/2022/06/15/tesla-tops-list-most-satisfie... I guess the "huge problems" aren't particularly relevant to the people that matter: their customers.
- gamblor956 3y ago
  The electrek article is...simply wrong. For example, the Parkers average owner rating for the Model 3 is a dismal 3.5, and the Volvo XC40 is a 4.0. (Eletrek reported a 4.6 for the Model 3 from Parkers and a 3.9 for the Volvo from Parkers.) Similarly, the other average ratings are all inflated in the Eletrek article compared to what is actually presented on the various review sites (Parkers, Edmunds, etc.). If anything, the review sites clearly demonstrate that most Tesla owners are highly frustrated with their cars after the first few months of ownership and most regret their purchase.
- cs702 3y ago
  Also: https://www.statista.com/statistics/267830/brand-values-of-the-top-10-most-valuable-car-brands/ https://www.statista.com/statistics/267830/brand-values-of-t... But all rankings are imperfect. The best indication that consumers do like Tesla vehicles is that unit sales have been growing ~50%/year by taking market share away from legacy automakers. For example, the Model Y is now a top-selling vehicle in many markets worldwide: https://www.motortrader.com/motor-trader-news/automotive-news/tesla-model-y-biggest-selling-vehicle-europe-q1-21-04-2023 https://www.motortrader.com/motor-trader-news/automotive-new... https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/features/model-y-in-top-10-vehicles-sold https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/features/model-y-in-top-...
- guywithahat 3y ago
  Further the final assembly problems don't really exist like they did back in 2014, it's much more minor and on par with other manufacturers. For whatever reason though there's a small segment of people who cling to this idea they're low quality like their lives depend on it
panick21_ 3y ago
Quality problems are not because of money, and more money doesn't really solve quality problems. Making the car cheap depends on batteries, motors, electronics, wires, controllers and so on. Tesla tends to be quite good at that stuff. These things are where you make a car cheaper. Final assembly quality issues will not get worse because its a smaller cheaper car. And on cheaper cars you have way less competition in terms of quality anyway. If they can really bring out a car with the kind of price performance/range intersection that they are planning, and build millions, final assembly quality issue won't matter.

erichocean 3y ago

https://electrek.co/2022/06/15/tesla-tops-list-most-satisfied-customers-entire-auto-industry/ https://electrek.co/2022/06/15/tesla-tops-list-most-satisfie... I guess the "huge problems" aren't particularly relevant to the people that matter: their customers.

gamblor956 3y ago
The electrek article is...simply wrong. For example, the Parkers average owner rating for the Model 3 is a dismal 3.5, and the Volvo XC40 is a 4.0. (Eletrek reported a 4.6 for the Model 3 from Parkers and a 3.9 for the Volvo from Parkers.) Similarly, the other average ratings are all inflated in the Eletrek article compared to what is actually presented on the various review sites (Parkers, Edmunds, etc.). If anything, the review sites clearly demonstrate that most Tesla owners are highly frustrated with their cars after the first few months of ownership and most regret their purchase.
cs702 3y ago
Also: https://www.statista.com/statistics/267830/brand-values-of-the-top-10-most-valuable-car-brands/ https://www.statista.com/statistics/267830/brand-values-of-t... But all rankings are imperfect. The best indication that consumers do like Tesla vehicles is that unit sales have been growing ~50%/year by taking market share away from legacy automakers. For example, the Model Y is now a top-selling vehicle in many markets worldwide: https://www.motortrader.com/motor-trader-news/automotive-news/tesla-model-y-biggest-selling-vehicle-europe-q1-21-04-2023 https://www.motortrader.com/motor-trader-news/automotive-new... https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/features/model-y-in-top-10-vehicles-sold https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/features/model-y-in-top-...
guywithahat 3y ago
Further the final assembly problems don't really exist like they did back in 2014, it's much more minor and on par with other manufacturers. For whatever reason though there's a small segment of people who cling to this idea they're low quality like their lives depend on it

panick21_ 3y ago

Quality problems are not because of money, and more money doesn't really solve quality problems. Making the car cheap depends on batteries, motors, electronics, wires, controllers and so on. Tesla tends to be quite good at that stuff. These things are where you make a car cheaper. Final assembly quality issues will not get worse because its a smaller cheaper car. And on cheaper cars you have way less competition in terms of quality anyway. If they can really bring out a car with the kind of price performance/range intersection that they are planning, and build millions, final assembly quality issue won't matter.