Tesla News June 2016
Tesla News: 2,000 Cars Produced By Tesla Weekly
In Tesla news this week an article in Electrek claims there are over 2,000 cars produced by Tesla weekly. This is a significant jump. Tesla had previously been producing 1,000 cars per week. It has been crucial that Tesla step up production ahead of the Model 3. News of the large increase is comforting to buyers who have put down their stake.
Elektrek cites Tesla’s “Weekend Social” events as the source of this news. Here’s some information on “Weekend Social”:
The company confirmed the news yesterday at its ‘Tesla Weekend Social’ events. For the past few months, the automaker has been organizing special events for Tesla owners to dive into specific subjects related to the company or its vehicles:
“This new event series was designed exclusively for owners. Over a light breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with Tesla product experts, learn more about latest product features and speak with fellow owner enthusiasts. We look forward to seeing you this month as we take a closer look at Summon.”
Tesla News: Tesla Addresses Suspension Rumors
From Tesla’s Blog:
A few things need to be cleared up about the supposed safety of Model S suspensions:
First, there is no safety defect with the suspensions in either the Model S or Model X. Since we own all of our service centers, we are aware of every incident that happens with our customer cars and we are aware of every part that gets replaced. Whenever there is even a potential issue with one of those parts, we investigate fully. This, combined with extensive durability testing, gives us high confidence in our suspensions. With respect to the car that is discussed in the blog post that led to yesterday’s news (more on the blog post below), the suspension ball joint experienced very abnormal rust. We haven’t seen this on any other car, suggesting a very unusual use case. The car had over 70,000 miles on it and its owner lives down such a long dirt road that it required two tow trucks to retrieve the car. (One to get the car to the highway and one to get it from the highway to the service center.) When we got the car, it was caked in dirt.
Second, NHTSA has not opened any investigation nor has it even started a “preliminary evaluation,” which is the lowest form of formal investigatory work that it does. On April 20th, as part of what it has told us it considers “routine screening,” NHTSA informally asked us to provide information about our suspensions. On April 30th, we provided all relevant information to NHTSA. NHTSA has since told us that we have cooperated fully and that no further information is needed. Neither before nor after this information was provided has NHTSA identified any safety issue with Tesla’s suspensions. This can be confirmed with NHTSA.
Third, Tesla has never and would never ask a customer to sign a document to prevent them from talking to NHTSA or any other government agency. That is preposterous.
Tesla News: Selling Teslas at Nordstrom
News is abuzz of plans to sell Teslas at Nordstrom. Yes, Nordstrom at The Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles will now have a ‘Tesla Section’. One could assume that this is only the beginning and Nordstroms across the country will soon be carrying the brand. This is good news for those that sit around waiting for their party to finish shopping (“I’ll be over in the Tesla section”).