Tesla Model 3 Production Rises To 6,700 Cars A Week - What Could The Entire Industry Learn From This?

There is no doubt they are making progress in upping the volume. That would appear to indicate the body and paint shop issues are being resolved, and the rework and quality issues are being fixed. Note one of the things they are doing is restricting the colors and options. Honda taught the industry that lesson 40 years ago. The key the first gen Accord quality and cost was doing exactly that,something the USA car industry with its "you can have it anyway you want" wasn't doing. There were 38 Accord configurations available compared to over 1 million configurations possible with a Tbird. Tesla still has too get and stay at consistent production levels. The auto industry doesn't have end of quarter production surges. Tesla still has them as this quarter shows.

Has Electrek every said anything critical of Tesla? If not one has to question their objectivity.

They do report every known accident, defect, etc., but the subjective comments are rarely negative.

Yes they have, and got a lot of flack for it.

The recipe was simple:
- Design a car that appeals to the car enthusiasts: sporty, good handling, good looking, functional, ...
- Build it, they will come
- Give the customers the collective power to make change to the existing car/features via feedback and continual updates. This gives the car the staying power and mass appeal.

For those who have strong opinion against the Model 3, I suggest you take a free test drive in the AWD or the Performance Model. I can guarantee you'll walk away impressed.

Sorry - I don't consider the Model 3 to be anything more than a high priced ENTRY level sedan with a really poor interior. WHile the car is not badly styled - I do not consider it to be particualarly good looking either.

THey still have not actually built the $35,000 base model - waiting until after their Federal Tax Break is reduced which effects affordability. I would not do business with a company that has deliberately forced people who gave deposits in faith to wait while they skim the gravy off the top - that is NOT customer service to me.

And AS I have said in the past - an EV does not meet MY requirements. There remains almost NO infrastructure - virtually no local customer support without long distance tows - and the company and its CEO are under investigation for securities fraud - and subject to civil suit as well.

AS long as there is not a 10 minute charging solution that exists in as many outlets as there are gas stations - EVs will remain not a solution to how I use a car. So - you are correct - I will not walk away - I will not even waste MY time looking.

@TomM: I can understand your reason for not considering the Model 3. It's not for everyone - just as any car on this planet, it caters to a certain set of buyers whether it be a million people or only a handful. The Model 3 fits the first category.

However, you fault the Model 3 for not meeting YOUR needs. It doesn't have to. Just as the Maybach doesn't fit my needs does not mean I can freely criticize its shortcomings for ME. The opinion based on this ground becomes useless.

I know trying to convince some of you here is futile, but at the minimum I expect sincere and objective criticism rather than gross rejection based on personal bias.

Tesla fan conversion, one at a time: https://insideevs.com/popular-mechanics-tesla-model-3-performance/

TomM is correct in all that he wrote. Tesla should have delivered the cars in the order that the deposits were received, disregarding option configuration.

By not delivering the cars in the order that the deposits were received, Tesla demonstrated that customer service is not their #1 goal.

Why? Other automaker's don't prioritize moving their higher margin cars first? If that is the case they are leaving money on the table.

@SJD Because what Tesla did was DISHONEST.

Taking deposits is an implied contract that people with deposits will be first in line to receive the vehicle. What Tesla did was scam people into giving them money for operating expenses and then nearly doubling the price of the car and selling vehicles to people who were not on the reservations list.

The attitude of "let's sell higher margin cars first and to hell with the reservation holders" is reprehensible.

Dealers of other brands that accept reservation deposits deal with those reservation holders first.

But I'm not surprised by your amorality.

And yes I'm sure you'll have some amoral justification to spew, but you're just a hypocrite anyway.

The deposits are 100% refundable, anyone could have their money back at any time. Also, Tesla can't recognize the money as revenue until the vehicle is delivered. Don't be jealous just because the car company you work for can't create a vehicle with enough demand to have a waiting list 400,000 names long.

@SJD I figured you'd have some utterly moronic response to try to "bird walk" the discussion away from Tesla's unethical business practices, but like I predicted, you're a hypocrite.

"force deposits?" ... lol.. clueless. You can get your full Deposit back, a 2-3 month process and this process is clearly stated when signing up.. hardly "forcing" people with their deposits. Hyperbole tends to cut language like this argument down to nothing but a hack piece. My only question is WHEN Mercedes, Audi, and BMW all only make the premium level EVs available after taking deposits will these same Tesla-bashers also disparage the Germans? Somehow, I think they will be quiet.

@rockreid Because the German EVs will not be sold by price-fixing, cash-raping, customer-hating dealerships like Teslas are, a deposit say on an Etron will put you on a list to get an Etron and you will get your Etron. Pretty simple concept really.

Car salespeoples' jobs are to get as much cash out of the consumer's hands as possible, which includes trying to sell them garbage they don't need (the finance guys are guilty of this also). Logic dictates that someone not paid by commission will care more about making sure consumers get the car that best suits their needs without the nonsense.

This is why it's better to buy a Tesla. You get cash raped and think you're getting a steal of a price.

Let's not even talk about the hateful socialist and his disdain for making a profit in business.

Q = "What could 'The Entire Auto Industry' learn from Tesla producing 6,700 cars per week?"

MrE30 answer = If you put up a huge tent in your parking lots to deal with the re-work and worst production problems, and pay lots of worker overtime and perhaps violate labor laws, you can produce at 150% of capacity for a short time near the end of the calendar financial quarters to try and fool or mislead the investing public into thinking that things are "great" at your public company.

#Enron2.0
#SECisWatching
#GetSomeGoodLawyers

YES

Besides the 2 that were driven through a flood? No.

mre30: your comment is a blast... LMAO

rockreid: 2 - 3 months to get your deposit back ... really?... It didn't take that long for Tesla to take a customer's deposit....Oh I forgot ... Tesla needs that 2 - 3 months to float the Ponzi Scheme ....

MD: your explanation of a deposit for a car makes total sense ... but that causes Global Warming ... because the alt left fruitcakes said so

Oy vey, Santa Madre de Dios, protejanos de locura.

A superficial analysis. By designing their cars to be constructed by robots, Tesla created cars that are horribly expensive to repair. Insurance rates are reflecting that, with skyrocketting rates for Tesla owners.

I was quoted $1,400/year to insure with a $500 deductible. That's less than the Model S, doesn't sound unreasonable to me for a $65k car.

Ford produces about 635 Mustangs each day at the Flat Rock assembly plant. That is about 4,445 Mustangs a week. Tesla is allegedly making nearly 7,000 model 3's a week.
I wonder what kind of build 'quality' Tesla is putting into the Model 3 with such a very high production speed?

They were at 4,700 last week based on recent reports. Quality has been solid for people I spoke to that just received their car. No panel gaps, no quality issues. Will let you know about mine when I get it on Tuesday.

Customer Service from the delivery team needs some work though, communication has been sparse.

@SJD If there are no panel gaps, how do they open the doors. I would think that's an even greater quality lapse.

SJD: Did you pay MSRP or do you get an employee price? I am looking forward to your posting about your car. Congrats.

I'm wondering if it's true that if you sleep with Elon you get a discount.

Its called the "on your knees pricing" plan.

The real climax for EM comes later when you actually have your Model 3 and you are, by that point, literally and figurative 'bent-over' against your will.

#Enron2.0

Employees don't get discounts. Also, my car was flawless, no panel gaps and no defects minus one software issue.

It seems by the + and - votes on the posted comments that there are no grey areas when it comes to Tesla.
Fotto1 - Tesla is bleeding red, but they're still a new company. Established brands like GM, FCA and Ford still hovering at breakeven or maybe also in the red? Plus the rework done were listed as mostly minor issues. Don't encourage a flame war.
Note: I'm not a Tesla fan. I am a car guy. I enjoy technology, power, style and execution of the car.