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Change from alcantara to cloth on PUP???
- Thread starter 03DSG
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- Model 3 Tesla Inc.
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They obviously want to use same headliner all trim lines. There looking to improve margins. Alcantara was elon's preference but only if they could meet margins. They are still losing money need to make cuts that don't affect performance. I'm o.k. with this, for now. When they are profitable not o.k.
I've followed most of this discussion and am struck that no one seems concerned that apparently after just 2000 vehicles a supplier "stopped talking to us" per a Tesla employee. When you commit suppliers to meeting a projected run rate and then drastically change/reduce that rate a couple of times you have created huge issues with hundreds of suppliers. They have ramped up and capitalized expenditures based on Elons projections. Some will be able to deal with that, many will not and will have ample reason to end their relationship and focus on their larger, legacy customers. The headliner material is a commodity item and easy to switch out, not the case with custom parts. Although even this switch can cause customer complaints. This is not a good indication about how the other "thousand" suppliers have dealt with planning errors. Delays of 3 to 6 months cause serious costs in automobile manufacturing. This "Alcantara" issue could be the "canary in the coal mine" with regard to problems caused by the delayed product ramp. Personally I'll be surprised if this is not the only hiccup. my 2 cents
I guess I should of put this way. Did any of these happen with less the 2000 cars being made
how about if they call the standard stereo premium and discontinue the premium stereo but still charge you $5000 for PUP will you still be ok with it
omgwtfbyobbq
Active Member
That's based on the stain and fabric. Most spills/stains on synthetic fabric should come up with water, but if oil is spilled then ethanol/etc should work, but always remember to test the solvent in an out of the way area first to make sure the fabric handles it OK.
Good point but this is par for the course as far as tesla is concerned. Standard headliner for all model 3's simplifies production 5000 vehicles a week is a priority. Those who finalized order before this change should get at the very least an apology and a valid explanation.
I've followed most of this discussion and am struck that no one seems concerned that apparently after just 2000 vehicles a supplier "stopped talking to us" per a Tesla employee. When you commit suppliers to meeting a projected run rate and then drastically change/reduce that rate a couple of times you have created huge issues with hundreds of suppliers. They have ramped up and capitalized expenditures based on Elons projections. Some will be able to deal with that, many will not and will have ample reason to end their relationship and focus on their larger, legacy customers. The headliner material is a commodity item and easy to switch out, not the case with custom parts. Although even this switch can cause customer complaints. This is not a good indication about how the other "thousand" suppliers have dealt with planning errors. Delays of 3 to 6 months cause serious costs in automobile manufacturing. This "Alcantara" issue could be the "canary in the coal mine" with regard to problems caused by the delayed product ramp. Personally I'll be surprised if this is not the only hiccup. my 2 cents
Great comment IMHO. I have made similar comments, as has Anxiety Ranger and a few others. I agree totally with your sentiment that this could be the "Canary in the coal mine". I think it's puzzling that most people seem to be ignoring the statement that the supplier quit talking to Tesla. I strongly believe that the reason for this change is that Tesla's relationship with the supplier was frayed beyond repair due to their extremely poorly executed and communicated ramp of the model 3 production.
Yes. The rear USB ports were removed after reservations but before any deliveries were made. The Aero wheels were removed as an option very early in the S production run. Would you like to move the goalposts again?
Garlan Garner
Banned
I've followed most of this discussion and am struck that no one seems concerned that apparently after just 2000 vehicles a supplier "stopped talking to us" per a Tesla employee. When you commit suppliers to meeting a projected run rate and then drastically change/reduce that rate a couple of times you have created huge issues with hundreds of suppliers. They have ramped up and capitalized expenditures based on Elons projections. Some will be able to deal with that, many will not and will have ample reason to end their relationship and focus on their larger, legacy customers. The headliner material is a commodity item and easy to switch out, not the case with custom parts. Although even this switch can cause customer complaints. This is not a good indication about how the other "thousand" suppliers have dealt with planning errors. Delays of 3 to 6 months cause serious costs in automobile manufacturing. This "Alcantara" issue could be the "canary in the coal mine" with regard to problems caused by the delayed product ramp. Personally I'll be surprised if this is not the only hiccup. my 2 cents
Thanks for the post. I'm not aware that a supplier stopped providing a product.
So far as I have heard......Tesla says that the change in the headliner was their plan. I'm not sure how long it has been their plan, however that's what they said. Not only was the replacement of the headliner a plan for the Model 3....it was for the S and X as well - according to Tesla.
A closer look at the Tesla Model 3’s controversial new headliner <----This article might have been fueled from this TMC thread. Who knows?
If you have a link or something to the employee that spoke about this it would be great.
Garlan Garner
Banned
RobStark
Well-Known Member
This has been the case for over a decade.
All I read from the trade journals like Automotive News and Ward's Auto is that suppliers very much want to work with Tesla. It is prestigious to do so, they like publicizing they are a Tesla supplier, and they see growth of 50% plus in volume for many years.
They have severed relationship with Mobil Eye, strained relationship with seat supplier Futuris before they were bought out by Adient, the original Falcon Wing door supplier(forget their name), and now the faux suede supplier. That we have heard of.
From reddit
. The following was posted today (10 Jan) on TMC here.
Well I've had my S for over 2yrs now. I was picking it up from service. But better late than never, right? Anyway, I talked to a couple of people regarding the Alcantara issue. One person explained to me that they had a supplier that stopped talking to them (Tesla) after about 2,000 vehicles.
Did TESLA actually sever the relationship with Mibil Eye? Seems I read differently over a year ago. That loss of Mobil Eye has been a very, very difficult problem to date...
Thank you very much
FURY
Garlan Garner
Banned
Arrrgghh... ok. I read it. <--- I say this with great hesitation.
A delivery employee wouldn't know such things....let alone pass that kind of info on to customers.
Do you have the reddit link?
Garlan Garner
Banned
Elon stated himself that Tesla severed that relationship.
Elon Musk Says Mobileye Forced Tesla Vision "Across the Rubicon" | Inverse
I can see where they might want to keep a softer material like the alcantara for the mirror covering so as not to scratch the glass of the mirror.
omgwtfbyobbq
Active Member
If anyone wants to do something about this, SA Automotive, Tesla's headliner supplier, is looking for an intern.
https://careerpipeline.blogs.unr.edu/files/2018/01/2018-01-10-Assistant-Intern-SA-Automotive-ME.pdf
Edit - Apparently the Alcantara supply drying up has been a thing since at least the middle of last year.
Tesla Model 3 Alcantara controversy explained • r/teslamotors
https://careerpipeline.blogs.unr.edu/files/2018/01/2018-01-10-Assistant-Intern-SA-Automotive-ME.pdf
Edit - Apparently the Alcantara supply drying up has been a thing since at least the middle of last year.
Tesla Model 3 Alcantara controversy explained • r/teslamotors
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Late last year, the CTO of Mobileye, which supplied a crucial component in Tesla’s Autopilot self-driving technology, said that the two companies had parted ways in part because Telsa was “pushing the envelope” in terms of safety."
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