There are a lot of eyes on Tesla and their earnings report tomorrow, because they already released their delivery numbers, and they're essentially flat over the previous year. Despite the gloom you read about in the press, EV sales haven't flat-lined or reversed. Recent data says sales were up 15% last quarter over last year, and 7% for the year, making 8% of new sales electric. Tesla is still selling more than anyone else, but according to that article, they sold fewer this year. If the market is up 7% and you sell less, that's not a good look. So what's the problem with Tesla?
A lot of eyes are on Elon Musk, obviously, because he's gone from Tony Stark to Lex Luthor, and we all know the DC Universe sucks. It's upsetting to see an industrious, genius immigrant literally invent new markets, then lose his shit and do one stupid thing after another, and align himself with felons and fascists. I'm sure that's not helping Tesla, especially with his focus split all over the place, because his strong association with the brand isn't great when his brand is batshit. To me, it's not logical to "boycott" Tesla because of Musk, when 120,000 other people work for the company. I'm sure most of those people are just making a living. I think there are two other things going on.
The first is that there are simply more choices than there were a year ago. EV's are finally out of niche status, especially for people who generally don't buy used cars. The Hyundai group has said flat out that they're not selling at a loss, that this isn't some experiment or gradual ramp (I'm looking at you, GM). And while the Korean brands are positioned to occupy the low end, the Germans are making some beautiful cars at the high end. And in China, apparently Tesla has fallen out of favor and has insane competition with BYD. For years, Tesla was the only viable game in town. Those days are long gone.
My problem is more about the quality issues. Don't get me wrong, we've had four of these cars and, mechanically and from a safety standpoint, these cars have been flawless. Even the Model 3 that eventually got creamed by a Disney maintenance guy was in great shape after six years, with very little battery degradation, still-new brakes, just cabin filter replacements and a new set of shoes. But the fit and finish has been suboptimal. The Model S was OK, but given the cost and the slower rate of production, I think it was easier to get it right. The now-totaled Model 3 had a weirdly aligned trunk and sloppy panel alignment overall. My 3-year-old Model Y was atrocious from the start. I drove it home with a rattle that I still can't find, and it has since developed at least two more. The front quarter panel, the first thing I'd see entering the garage, has a crease that continues to the door, and they weren't even close to lining up (I had them fix that). Panel alignment is beyond sloppy on that one. Diana's Y, going on a year, has been much better, with no rattles, and you have to look a little harder for panel stuff. But with 1 in 10 cars in our area Teslas, I see the poorly aligned trunks everywhere.
Maybe the quality issues aren't that big of a deal, given the mechanical soundness, but you don't have to accept that. Even the lower end Hyundais appear perfect when you look close. And also, everyone else isn't doing stupid control things like ditching the stalks on the steering column and using shitty capacitive buttons for turn signals. No one wants that.
The bottom line is that they went from making electric space cars that seemed like a miracle of engineering and science, to boring products that are sloppily assembled. What a bummer.
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