Automotive Icon Bob Lutz Praises Tesla's Model 3 Fit And Finish

As anyone that follows the electric vehicle market should know, Bob Lutz and Tesla have not always been the closest of friends.

At first blush it seemed the goals of Lutz and Tesla CEO Elon Musk were in sync. While Lutz was at General Motors, he spearheaded and fought for the creation of the Chevrolet Volt. Near the end of his tenure, he told Newsweek  "I believe strongly that this country has to get off oil (...) The electrification of the automobile is inevitable."

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TomM - 6/17/2019 1:20:12 PM

+3 Boost

What interior?

Even a new Chevy Pick up has a better interior than a Model 3.
When you put nothing in it - it is hard to screw up - but apparently according to other reviewers they actually do have problems

Car4life1 - 6/17/2019 1:56:21 PM

+7 Boost

Oh Bob...you also thought Chrysler’s quality and reliability was 2nd to none...atleast he is consistent in his delusion.

Go lay down Bob, get some rest.

SanJoseDriver - 6/17/2019 2:20:33 PM

-5 Boost

That's very subjective. What isn't is how much more functionality you have in this type of interior with Tesla's UI/UX than any other car. Outside of the killer UI for navigation, Autopilot, and music... it has everything from a full web browser to a video game engine to comedic easter eggs, items you won't find anywhere else. Heck, even Cuphead, Fallout Shelter, and Dune Buggies are coming to the car.

PUGPROUD - 6/17/2019 1:41:09 PM

+8 Boost

Bob Lutz is great but also predicted Tesla would be bankrupt two years ago and thought the quality was below acceptable standards. I suspect there is an untold back story for him to totally reverse his opinion.

Truthy - 6/17/2019 4:16:44 PM

+2 Boost

He is an interesting guy, but he created the rough Viper at Chrysler and the really rough Saturn and Pontiac sports cars (so forgettable I've forgotten their names). Maybe he is not the best to judge fit and finish

MDarringer - 6/17/2019 4:58:25 PM

-4 Boost

The Solstice and Sky will be collectible. I'd love to drop an LS7 into one.

jerseycat1010 - 6/17/2019 2:16:42 PM

-1 Boost

Tesla has really worked hard on tightening their panel gaps, and they are beautiful!

vdiv - 6/17/2019 5:22:54 PM

0 Boost

The panel gaps are beautiful?! ;)

SanJoseDriver - 6/17/2019 2:17:14 PM

-2 Boost

Yup, the backstory is that he was wrong. He has always been one of Tesla's harshest critics. He would lose his credibility if he didn't state the obvious about the current quality of the car.

Panel gaps and paint issues are near non-existent on new cars, and fit & finish overall is very good.

Truthy - 6/18/2019 11:17:51 AM

+2 Boost

Don't over-react to his comments. He said the build quality looked good on the ONE example he saw. He is still adamant that Tesla's business practices will doom it. His timing may have been off, but their financials get worse every quarter.

rockreid - 6/17/2019 2:20:55 PM

-3 Boost

Lol you people are on crack. The Model 3 design simply out-Volvos Volvo.

The minimalist design, starting with the Swedes, modernized by Apple, and adopted by The Model 3 is not for everyone. But for those who like upscale minimalism with the Alcantara, broad sweep of wood, open cockpit design with panoramic ceiling, and faux-leather there is no better example than the Model 3.

vdiv - 6/17/2019 5:26:17 PM

+1 Boost

Did you say faux-upscale? ;)

There is subjectively a better example, I'd take a Model S.

SanJoseDriver - 6/17/2019 8:04:18 PM

-3 Boost

I have both, I like the interior design of the 3 more though I expect that will change with the new S refresh.

valhallakey - 6/18/2019 10:06:30 PM

+1 Boost

Good for ole Bob having an open mind.