Am I the only one that finds tesla selling this aftermarket unacceptable?
As a engineer, a lot of times we think of "cool things" way after the original product has been delivered. We're "good", but not "perfect". New ideas are always popping up here and there (I even dream in software code sometimes). Rather than waiting until "next years model" to implement/retrofit the vehicles, Tesla provides these as aftermarket modifications so the original owners have a chance to upgrade if they choose to do so. Yes, it can be a bit pricey if you get them all, but at least you have been given that option.
They way I consider Tesla's business model is a bit more towards a "base" with "pluggable modules". Look at all the "official" aftermarket mods for the Roadster on the Tesla store. Do you know of any other auto manufacturer that continues to refine vehicles after they have been delivered? I don't. With all the other ones I've dealt with, once they have your money they do not care about you any more. You actually really have to go to a third party if you want something aftermarket. Why not capture that business too? IMO, just add this to the list of awesome things that Tesla does that sets them apart from everyone else. They do listen and they do care about their customers, and yes, they do need to make money too. That's why they are expensive. If they weren't, it wouldn't be a profitable business for them. There always needs to be a business justification - no matter what that is (customer satisfaction, stickiness, margins...)...in the end in one way or another it always leads to one thing - profit. If its not for profit, than it's a non-profit organization doing charity work.
And last I checked, Tesla isn't doing charity work.
Also, you have to consider that these EVs may last a lot longer than normal "ICE" vehicles. The longest I've ever kept an ICE vehicle is 7 years. Usually after 3 or 4 years and right after warranty expires (usually around 60000 miles), things are breaking down here and there. Transmission failures, cylinder misfires, muffler deteriorates, various engine part failures, etc. Oh thats right, I forgot, Tesla doesn't have any of those parts. In theory, a Tesla vehicle may last a *VERY* long time, perhaps 2x-3x longer than ICE vehicles. ICE vehicles are built *
intentionally* with parts whose quality pretty much is only guaranteed up to the warranty of the vehicle. Once that is over, these parts fail. That is expected. And that is exactly what that ICE manufacturer wants. After enough of them fail and you're spending too much time and money fixing things over and over, people get frustrated and then its time to buy a new car. It's pathetic, but it is a valid business model and works for ICE vehicles. It would actually hurt their business if they build higher quality and longer lasting vehicles. They want you have to buy another car after every several years of ownership. Oh but wait, since nothing is failing on a Tesla because it doesn't have any of these parts, wheres the motivation to buy another Tesla? There isn't really any. You current Tesla is awesome enough that it's hard to justify spending another $70k on a car since nothing is wrong with your existing one. Because the quality of Tesla is so high, you might now only buy a new Tesla once every 10-15 years instead of once every 4-7 years. So how does Tesla keep your business and make profit when you don't need to buy another one as often as an ICE vehicle?. How? Easy. "Official aftermarket mods".
