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Unfortunately the article is short on details -- I've gotten my Tesla repaired both at independent shops (broken rear triangle glass, which is a tesla part, not
by rconti 2y ago
Unfortunately the article is short on details -- I've gotten my Tesla repaired both at independent shops (broken rear triangle glass, which is a tesla part, not a repro), and at Tesla service centers. I've (online) heard horror stories of long parts waits, but it's not clear how or if those waits are different at a Tesla service center vs an indie shop (eg, is Tesla prioritizing their own SCs?). I assume the suit is alleging that independent shops have a harder time sourcing parts than service centers do? If so, it seems like a reasonable case.
Of course, they can't really allege a parts monopoly on its own, any more so than against any other manufacturer, since 99% of the time, repair parts for any car are sourced from the manufacturer via a dealer parts counter. Eventually OE and OEM parts are available through parts stores, but that's an opaque process to the end consumer.
It would also be interesting if the problem here is the lack of a franchise model- in theory I can get my Toyota repaired at one of several dealerships, so technically there's "competition" in the market, even though they all need to hold a franchise to use the name.
And, of course, there would presumably be an outcry if Toyota refused to play nice to indie shops as well.
- kgc 2y agoThere are Tesla authorized repair centers, so I don’t think franchising is the issue either.
- cannaceo 2y agoIndependent shops don't wory on Teslas. Any body damage leads to camera alignment stuff that shops don't want to touch.
- cfeduke 2y agoTesla uses independent body shops they certify, I know this because I've used one as a result of a deer accident. The service centers do not handle beyond some level of damage.
- rconti 2y agoWell that's obviously not true, I know people who have had their body damage fixed elsewhere. In fact, I doubt Tesla service centers do _any_ of their own bodywork, so it's entirely possible your comment is the exact opposite of true.