A new J.D. Power & Associates report titled Tesla: Beyond the Hype” takes a critical and influential look at the brand’s history of quality control and reliability issues. The report warns that if the Tesla brand does not up its quality with the upcoming Model 3 “everyman car,” the consequences will likely end in disaster for the automaker.
“Tesla owners see themselves as pioneers who enjoy being early adopters of new technology. Spending $100,000 or more on a vehicle that has so many problems usually would have a dramatically negative effect on sales and brand perception. Right now, though, Tesla seems immune from such disenchanted customers. When consumers buy a mass-market car priced around $35,000 that will be their primary mode of transportation [the Model 3], the degree of expectation will increase immensely. We’ve seen that with other well-liked brands, whether or not it involves an electric vehicle.” —Kathleen Rizk, director, global automotive consulting at J.D. Power
Elon’s folly: bringing out a sedan when tastes are leaning toward xovers/small SUV’s/hatchbacks. Shoulda done the Model Y first, duh. Then there’s the issue of making the early adopters the beta testers – ouch! Then there’s that fishy looking plastic nose and lack of a heads-up speedo, and if that big screen goes blank……. just imagine a what a massive recall will do to the company.
Upscales are laying down 50+ large for the 5.1 seconds 0-60 dash, which is formidable, but the commoners will be forced to wait until 2020 for theirs. Panache will only take you so far if the company that has yet to make a profit goes belly up – it’s not Apple, Google, or Facebook, yet, and competitors are coming fast and furiously. In the meantime, I’m happily chugging along in my oh-so-reliable Volt (no range anxiety), waiting for my frosty green Kona EV small SUV to come along……