Right now, Tesla is on a roll. They are a real threat to the legacy auto makers.
Headlines that note the improvements from Tesla get little controversy, but a negative one gets lots of eyeballs.
Basic drumbeat is that Tesla makes some amazingly efficient and clean running cars. They perform well and provide a great driving experience, but lack the noises that ICE cars usually make. The tech is rapidly evolving, but still has some issues with edge cases.
Latest reporting seems to be based on the multiple forum posts of new owners complaining about fit/finish/paint issues. These seem to be a real irritant to buyers who desire a certain pride of ownership when making the leap of faith to choose Tesla. Their cars command a premium price over ICE cars and they want their cars to reflect that fact. A misaligned panel or blob of paint takes some of the joy away and they reasonably feel let down.
Imagine that Tesla is working like crazy to get these issues under control, but at the same time they are under tremendous pressure to constantly ramp up production volumes.
It is obvious to many, that the current stock price gives justification to Tesla's decision to supply more cars to the heavy demand they are seeing. That slowing down deliveries to attend to the small adjustments and polishing takes a back seat to achieving EOQ delivery numbers.
Some have surmised that part of the problem is due to their California production facility being located in California. The emissions restrictions and using an older, refurbished plant is not going to be able to match the quality output that a fresh sheet of paper facility could achieve.
Some say that they are dreamers. That management is tech based and inexperienced in the heavy ways of producing an industrial automobile. That their workforce is not cut out of the cloth that can show greatness in work ethic and make the efforts necessary to produce world class assembly. They surmise that instead of 100% focus on the details, that Tesla is instead working like crazy to get their cost down in a rentless persuit of reducing their production selling prices to enlarge their marketplace and maintain demand.
Imagine the truth is somewhere to be found in these issues, but Tesla has its eyes on the future and is hell bent for leather building fresh new plants all around the Globe. These plants will implement the many changes that have been gained from experience and struggle. That these new plants will produce a much greater level of fit and finish than the aging Fremont plant.
Meanwhile, picky buyers and lazy media will continue to churn out press that our beloved family dog has some fleas.