Auto Consultant Tears Down Tesla Model 3 and Compares it to a 'Kia in the '90s'
http://www.thedrive.com/news/18218/auto-consultant-tears-down-tesla-model-3-and-compares-it-to-a-kia-in-the-90sFEBRUARY 3, 2018
Tesla has been knocked for its build quality issues in the past with the Model S and Model X. Owners have complained about poor body panel fitment, orange peel paint, and other mechanical concerns that put one of its vehicles on the list Consumer Report's least reliable cars in 2017. When it then placed a prediction on the Model 3, the automaker felt that there wasn't enough information on the Model 3 for the concern to be valid. Now, Michigan-based automotive reverse engineering firm Munro & Associates has begun to tear down one of Tesla's brand new cars and have some concerns of their own over quality....
...Munro's first concerns were over safety. Tesla has released guides for emergency responders to understand just how to handle its cars in an accident, however, he still seems to have an issue with the complexity required for the safety of the emergency crews, as well as vehicle occupants. When seconds count and crews don't have a safety guide on hand, they may be hesitant to just cut into the car with a fear of electrocuting themselves. Should the main power require a disconnect, the process to actually get to the battery may be too complex. If the crew can't open the hood because of something in the car or lack of main power, it must be known that they need to first "jump" the car with a 12-volt source due to lack of a mechanical release....
...More interior concerns fall back on how Tesla appears to have just stuck additional material in the doors to prevent noises when opening and closing. Munro describes the placement as an "afterthought" as it is simply glued in place. Despite this, you can still hear glass rattle when shutting the door.
Body gaps can be seen "for miles," Munro disappointingly boasts, stating that the Model 3 simply falls under the same issues that we've seen with the Model S. Looking at the rear tail lights show inconsistencies with panel gap as well, one light having a gap tight enough to barely fit a fingernail in, while the other can accept an entire finger. The tolerances for the cars were shocking for the firm to witness, especially for a car manufacturer that is used to producing luxury cars. "I don't understand how it got to this point," he chuckles, "I mean, these are flaws we would see on a Kia in the '90s"...
