Tesla employee reveals a recipe for success - "VW and Audi very complicated in comparison"
Created: 01/13/2022, 19:16
By: Patrick Freiwah
Electric car Tesla Model X: The US manufacturer uses different methods when it comes to vehicle repairs.
© John Marshall Mantel/Imago
It could be a key to success: Tesla seems to do some things differently than Volkswagen and Co. But this process does not only have advantages.
How is the quality?
Munich – A lot is different at Tesla, which also applies to repair work: While technical problems with conventional vehicles usually cost a lot of time and money, the maintenance department at the electric car pioneer is apparently more pragmatic.
A field report published in the
FAZ
describes the repair of a Tesla Model 3 as an example, which was “delivered not too long ago”.
On the website, the electric high-flyer states: "If your vehicle needs service, you can book a service appointment at any time via the Tesla app." Employees go straight home to fix the vehicle.
Tesla repair uncomplicated - and easier than at VW and Audi?
At the end of 2020 there were eleven Tesla workshops in Germany, and there are also collaborations with independent companies.
Also because the service network can still be expanded, Tesla models are also serviced on site.
While at VW, BMW and Co. customers usually go to a (contractual) workshop, at Tesla you can book an appointment via an app - and a service mechanic will announce you half an hour before arrival.
That sounds simple and happens reliably.
On site, the employee arrives in a Tesla with the rear seat removed and a manageable set of tools to get the defective vehicle back into shape.
In the case of the aforementioned Model 3, several repairs were made at the same time - and that in just one hour.
During this time, the Tesla mechanic replaced defective taillights, readjusted the trunk lid and two doors, repaired the front lid, replaced a door strip and cleaned the touched parts.
"Tesla is like Lego," the Tesla man is quoted as saying - two of the most important utensils are calipers and rubber mallets.
As the report explains, the employee used to work for Volkswagen and Audi.
According to him, their cars are “constructed in a very complicated way in comparison”.
That sounds like part of the recipe for success, why the US automaker has been swimming on a wave of success for some time - and why Tesla's stock market value is at surreal heights.
Tesla Service Outstanding - But Quality Issues
However, the courteous service does not hide the fact that there are obvious shortcomings in terms of quality in Tesla electric cars: After such a short time, the shortcomings of the Model 3 seem unthinkable for a new vehicle from VW, Mercedes or BMW.
Just like the competition, however, Tesla vehicles are not exactly cheap either to purchase or to maintain - even if models such as Model 3 (from 46,000 euros) or Model Y (almost 60,000 euros) are actually aimed at the middle class.
Nevertheless, Tesla was recently able to announce a new sales record.
In 2021, the US manufacturer sold almost a million electric cars worldwide:
Tesla service: Repair damage and maintenance expensive
The
FAZ
report mentions another example that sheds light on the financial downside: After a supposedly harmless bump with paintwork and tire damage, horrendous amounts are suddenly due. A car workshop estimated 15,000 euros for "damage that does not look dramatic". There are undoubtedly similar experiences with other car manufacturers and are a consequence of the demands in the premium sector.
In the case of expensive models, this is naturally also reflected in the insurance premiums, where Tesla models and also nominal rivals from German production are estimated higher.
But in contrast to the 3-series BMW or Mercedes C-Class, Tesla seems to have some catching up to do in terms of quality.
However, there is a prospect of improvement: According to reports, the Tesla models produced in China are of better quality than those manufactured in the USA.
Tesla is to achieve a further increase in quality with the new Tesla Gigafactory in Grünheide.
(PF)
