Along with Elon Musk's botched plan this summer to take Tesla private, the electric car maker now has dropped to near the bottom of Consumer Reports' influential reliability ratings. Other U.S. automakers also fared poorly, all scoring in the bottom half of the 29 brands assessed in the annual ranking, which the magazine released Wednesday. The Tesla Model S, which Consumer Reports' test drivers have praised for its performance, received a "below average" reliability rating. Its overall rating dropped it off the publication's "recommended" list. Model S owners reported suspension and other problems. Tesla ranked No. 27 in reliability, down six spots. That drop likely results from mechanical and software changes introduced in the last few model years, according to Jake Fisher, CR director of auto testing. "Just as we've seen with many other manufacturers, major changes and updates can cause reliability to slide," he said. "It can take a year or two for car makers to … [Read more...] about Most reliable cars: Tesla Model S plunges in Consumer Reports ranking
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Tesla Model 3 becomes a best-seller but still has problems
Despite Elon Musk's wrangling with the Securities and Exchange Commission, his Tesla Model 3 has become one of America's best-selling sedans. In September, Tesla delivered more Model 3s than all but four Japanese sedans -- Toyota Corolla and Camry and Honda Civic and Accord. Tesla overall also has been outselling some of its luxury rivals. In September, Tesla sold 69,925 vehicles in the U.S. while Mercedes-Benz reported 66,542 sales. But even as Tesla seems to have solved its previous production problems with the Model 3s, getting cars to customers who have already ordered them remains a challenge, according to CleanTechnica.com. Tesla has relatively few stores compared with the hundreds of dealerships for each major brand. So Model 3s often are parked at their destination city where they await delivery to customers. A Salt Lake City customer tweeted to Musk on Sept. 16 that her car was sitting in a rail yard there while her delivery date kept getting pushed back. Megan Gale … [Read more...] about Tesla Model 3 becomes a best-seller but still has problems
Tesla Model 3 rear bumpers falling off in heavy rain, say owners
Motoring by Press Association 14/08/2018, 12:03 pm FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter Bumpers are reported to be falling off Tesla Model 3s after heavy rain. That’s according to two owners in the USA, who say their all-electric vehicles’ rear bumpers were torn off after driving through standing water. The first owner, Rithesh Nair, tweeted a picture of his new Model 3 missing its rear bumper. He’d owned the vehicle for just half an hour when he ran into standing water on the road, tearing the plastic cover from the car’s rear. Nair’s caption read: “1/2 hr, bringing Model 3 home, run into heavy rain on the streets and bumper comes off.” He tagged both the Tesla brand and its chief executive, Elon Musk, in the tweet. … [Read more...] about Tesla Model 3 rear bumpers falling off in heavy rain, say owners
Tesla electric cars now on Lux highway patrol
The two Tesla electric vehicles bought by Luxembourg police force last year have started patrolling the grand duchy. The Tesla Model S cars “entered service on 26 April this year,” Vic Reuter, a police spokesman, told Delano on 23 July. “They are used by the traffic police, mainly for motorway patrols.” So far, battery recharging has not presented a problem. Laurent Lentz, deputy commander of Luxembourg’s highway police, was quoted by the Reuters news agency on 20 July as saying: “Our patrols are 200 kilometers per outing. We can easily see that the battery life as it is does not pose any problems.” The Teslas were purchased as part of a scheme to eventually move 10% of the state’s motor vehicle fleet to electric cars. The pair of police cars were originally meant to start patrolling on a test basis last autumn. That was delayed due to safety tests to certify their new flashing emergency lights. Earlier this year, Étienne … [Read more...] about Tesla electric cars now on Lux highway patrol
Tesla Model S 100D review: Only famous for its unpredictable boss or genuinely good to drive?
If the scent of lavender and the feel of Lycra on clammy flesh are your kind of thing, you won’t find anywhere better than cycling mecca La Coquillade. Set in the hills of the Petit Luberon, a rosé-growing idyll between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, this hotel has been created by a Tour de France team owner and attracts moneyed MAMILs with its scenic bicycle routes and experienced coaches. Correctly sizing up my level of fitness, I was invited to ride around the surrounding villages on an e-bike, meaning I could avoid my twin allergies of Lycra and physical exertion. The electric power was in keeping with my other mode of transportation for the week: A Tesla Model S 100D. I chose Provence as my destination to size-up the Model S’s charge range. The £90,000 100D has the longest range of any Tesla – up to 393 miles. Would a blast to the south of France induce range anxiety? Could it match the cross-country pace of gas-guzzling rivals from Mercedes-AMG and … [Read more...] about Tesla Model S 100D review: Only famous for its unpredictable boss or genuinely good to drive?