Posted on 10/05/2014 7:40:43 PM PDT by goldstategop
According to Consumer Reports, Tesla Model S owners are highly satisfied. In fact, the 99 out of 100 owner-satisfaction score gathered from 600 owners is the highest the agency has seen in years. This is somewhat surprising in light of what seems to be a high level of maintenance and service appointments that Model S owners are experiencing. To be fair, much of the maintenance seems to be due to hyperactive proactivity and misdiagnosis as the company learns to properly diagnose problems unique to its electric cars. Still, as a young vehicle manufacturer, there is certainly room for quality control improvement.
So, why doesn't what seems to be a high maintenance profile for the Model S, as Tesla works out the kinks in its fast-growing production line, weigh on the owner-satisfaction score? Beyond ditching gas forever and the vehicle's beastly performance, the company's game-changing approach to vehicle maintenance that takes the headache away from service likely plays a key role.
The Tesla approach to service Our goal with service is to be sort of invisible, Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained during the company's second-quarter earnings call. "It's like elves," Musk went on. "Like you don't even see it. It happens so fast."
Tesla has gone as far as actually bringing in people from Formula One to help with training its vehicle technicians.
Tesla's service goes beyond the rapid repairs you would imagine from a service team trained by Forumula One technicians. The company has adopted a number of other customer-first approaches that are uncommon in the auto industry.
A Tesla Ranger Visit: A technician visits the owner to perform maintenance and warranty repairs. Over-the-air updates: Like iOS and Android updates, Tesla can update the Tesla software and improve the vehicle without bringing it into the shop. Fully loaded loaner cars: When there is any inconvenience to the owner, Tesla will loan out a fully loaded Model S Performance vehicle. Valet service: Tesla owners can get their vehicle picked and replaced with a fully loaded loaner car so they don't have to drive to the service center.
Even after all this, Tesla has vowed that the company will never turn vehicle service into a profit center. "I have made it a principle within Tesla that we should never attempt to make servicing a profit center," Musk has said in a blog post. "It does not seem right to me that companies try to make a profit off customers when their product breaks."
Of course, the price tag for the Model S merits premium service -- but the company is bold to set the bar so high initially.
Well, my Leaf EV gets over 80 miles per charge. I assume the Tesla gets notably more.
The guy also might have a charger at work, making the trip an easy one.
Does any company have over 25% "market share"?
That was 3 different companies but I meant electric vehicles
The range on electric cars has to improve dramatically if they'll ever replace traditional gasoline powered cars.
If that were to happen, the nation's electric grid will need some serious upgrading AND we'd no doubt have to build more power plants (that recharge power has to come from somewhere doesn't it?)
I think what we might see in the future are homes where there may be one electric car for "everyday" or short trips/short commutes, and another traditional gas/diesel powered vehicle for longer road trips.
Personally I drive 6 miles a day, so it doesn't really matter what I drive. Which probably explains why I'm still driving my 12 year old vehicle with under 80,000 miles on it. It's been on a few road trips, but it's primary purpose is to take me back and forth to the commuter train that takes me into the city. I could see either replacing it, or supplementing it with a smaller electric vehicle for the daily 6 mile commute to the train. Don't think that would be financially economical tho.
My son has one and loves it. Gotta say, I’m impressed with it and with the service.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.