Since its founding in 2003, Tesla has consistently grown as an EV manufacturer and industry innovator. However, not everything Tesla does is right.
The big topic right now in the automotive industry is the electric vehicle, and you can’t really talk about electric vehicles without bringing Tesla up, at least once.
Since its founding in 2003, Tesla has consistently grown as an EV manufacturer and industry innovator. The 2008 Tesla Roadster proved to the world that the electric vehicle is a fact rather than a concept, after years of automakers treating electric vehicles like some science experience in their free time. The Tesla took the road with an above average performance and a reliable driving range, and it set the scene for the fascinating enigma that is Tesla.
But like any automaker, not every single move Tesla takes is necessarily the right one, and it seems that the time has come for Tesla to address some of its most staggering shortcomings. Here are the 15 things Tesla is doing wrong, and 5 they’re doing very right.
#20
Tesla Designs Are Too Out Of The Box
You’ve probably seen the Cybertruck, and while we may never know which side you’re on when it comes to it, we can agree that its design is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Today’s most iconic lineups started from an unorthodox design, but it seems that Tesla is taking it too far that it has the opposite effect.
#19
Those Pesky Running Costs
There are a lot of running costs associated with owning a Tesla that discourage potential buyers, including the Tesla recommended annual inspection for your car, which could cost upwards of $680, and battery replacements, which are often priced in 4 digit figures. Car parts may also constitute an extra bill.
#18
Where Are The Dealers?
One thing Tesla has neglected to focus on is expanding their dealership network beyond the current high-income areas they are targeting. You may easily be put in a situation where your Tesla breaks down and you need to tow it a large distance to the dealership, which is another added cost.
#17
Customer [Service] Is Always Right
No matter what business you’re in, the first thing you learn is the importance of having high quality customer service. With the growth of the company, Tesla should have accordingly enlarged its call center, and made access to its dealerships easier for customers. Tesla needs to invest more into this issue.
#16
Buying Parts Is Only Through Tesla
Tesla owners can only buy parts for their car through Tesla. At first, it was exclusively through Tesla dealerships, but recently, Tesla launched an online store for parts, a move which was regarded positively by fans. Still, parts should be made more accessible if Tesla wants to give its owners more practicality.
#15
Every Automaker Needs A Cheap Model
In order to gain more customer traction, every major automaker likes to keep a relatively affordable model on their lineup, but Tesla doesn’t have an affordable model yet. A much smaller car than what it offers now with average capabilities and a cheap price would significantly expand Tesla’s customer base.
#14
The Cybertruck
Yes, it’s great to have radical, out of the box designs, but it’s not always the best thing. Reactions to the Cybertruck reveal has shown us that the market is not ready for such a futuristic car just yet. The Cybertruck was going for revolutionary, but landed on confusing and unattractive.
#13
No Certified Tesla Mechanics
It’s definitely the right time for Tesla to start a certification program for mechanics looking to specialize in Tesla cars. This is a very practical point of owning a car, and many prospective buyers might be discouraged by the idea of having to go back to the dealership every now and then.
#12
Pricing Is The Key To Mainstreaming Electric Cars
Tesla is aiming to revolutionize how the world looks at electric cars, but they won’t be able to do that if their entire range is way above average prices. Sure, it makes sense to pay more for a Tesla, but not all people will do so. Electric cars need to be affordable in order to become mainstream.
#11
Lack Of Customization
Every major automaker releases a new model with a wide array of features that buyers can pick and choose from based on what suits their needs and their budgets. Tesla almost doesn’t do that at all, and the limited choices can be very discouraging to prospective owners, therefore harming sales.
#10
Constant Delays Of Production
Even if you aren’t keeping up with the latest industry news, you’ve probably heard of how Tesla is always delaying production and release of its new cars. The latest situation where this has happened was with the new Tesla Roadster, which was scheduled for 2020, but no updates have shown up so far.
#9
Lack Of Charging Stations
This is a problem that all EV automakers face, not just Tesla. The lack of charging stations significantly discourages prospective buyers and just makes life harder for owners. It’s also very expensive to install a charging station at your home, and it’s about time that Tesla finds a solution that works.
#8
Trailblazing, Quite Literally
Dating back to 2013, Business Insider was able to trace numerous fire incidents involving Tesla Model S and Model X EVs. Recent incidents showed an older Model S spontaneously combusting while it was parked. Tesla hasn’t released information on why this happens, and it’s still a big question mark surrounding the brand.
#7
Self-Driving Is Not To Be Trusted Yet
The Tesla Model S was one of the first street-legal cars to embrace the novel self-driving technology. Several videos have recently gone viral showing Tesla owners asleep behind the wheel as the Model S drove itself on the freeway. One can only imagine the implications this can have for them and other drivers on the road.
#6
Does Anyone Really Want Gull-Wing Doors?
Gull-wing doors, or as Tesla calls them, Falcon wing doors, have long been a thing of the past, and they seem like an unnecessary feature in today’s day and age. Not only that, but they have been known to cause more problems than they should. It doesn’t make sense for Tesla to keep this feature.
#5
Doing Right: Elon Musk Is Unlike Any CEO
A significant part of Tesla’s fame is owed to its enigmatic CEO, Elon Musk. Although he is often in the habit of overpromising and underdelivering, Musk’s openness and his diverse ventures, including SpaceX, has made him a point of interest for the general public where they want to hear what he has to say.
#4
Doing Right: The Chinese Market
Chinese government is advocating for more electric cars, unlike the U.S., which makes China a very attractive market for Tesla. Instead of moving in with joint ventures for Tesla manufacturing in China such as GM and Ford, Tesla is aiming to establish its own factory where they can do things their way.
#3
Doing Right: Fashion Drives Interest
In many ways, owning a Tesla EV has become a status symbol. Tesla understood very early on that its cars needed to look good, not just be functional and fast. The Roadster, for example, owes at least some of its popularity to its insanely cool looks, and the same can be said about the Model X.
#2
Doing Right: You Can’t Spell Tesla Without Team
Although Elon Musk is the most well known, there is an impressive group of people working with him, and he has succeeded in inspiring them. Gilbert Passin, Tesla’s formal Vice President of Manufacturing, has said: “Elon is a very inspiring person, he will put you to the limit. He will not settle for mediocre results.”
#1
Doing Right: A Stock Market Success
For a long time now, Tesla has been a big player in the stock market. Most recently, in February 2020, it was reported that the company’s market value was at more than $130 billion, becoming the second most valuable manufacturer in the world after Toyota. Tesla’s shares also recently took surge, reaching a record $786.