I didn't realize there were states not allowing service centers, I thought it was just the store where they sell cars that states are objecting to (I realize that frequently they put in a store and service center in the same location). But they should be allowed to build as many service center only locations as they want wherever they want, right?
They should, but that would be
'too much like right', it seems. The Great State of Michigan has chosen to
'protect their citizens' by insisting that no automotive manufacturer may have their own Service facility... Unless it is to repair their own vehicles, take care of fleet vehicles owned by government agencies, or service cars purchased by nonprofit organizations.
There are those who are insistent that Tesla Motors should allow third parties to be trained to service their cars. They claim that Tesla is being
'too protective' or
'stingy' or even
'secretive' with the details about the cars. But the 26,400 Model S that were Delivered to US Customers during 2015 comes to maybe 1/663rd of all new vehicles sold here. The expense of training and diagnostic equipment to independent shops just to service the one car is likely prohibitive, and that doesn't even include inventory for replacement parts. Plus, Tesla would want the service to be run to
NOT make a profit, but just
'keep the lights on'... So why would those independent shops want to bother with it, when there are probably 28 brand new Ford F-Series owners for every Model S buyer on the street? And, knowing that the Tesla Service Center would cost less, why would a Customer go to Midas or Pep Boys instead to have their annual service done?
Some even claim that they have
'always' worked on their own cars and see no reason why they shouldn't do the same with their Tesla. So they want the Service Manuals released to the public. Here the thing is, though... Tesla knows that not everyone that would work on their own car would do a good job. They also know that a good portion of them would make mistakes while trying to
'tweak' something, but wouldn't document or own up to the change when something went wrong. These cars are not 1920s era vehicles being hotrodded to impress the chicks at cruise night on the boulevard. And Tesla is in no particular hurry for them to become such highly customized spectacles. People waited a good couple or three decades before they started to drop blown Chevy engines into Ford Model T chassis. It would be nice if aftermarket tuners could give Tesla Motors at least half as much time and respect the technology as is for a while.
Tesla Motors -- Annual Report
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
Item 1A -- Risk Factors
If our vehicle owners customize our vehicles or change the charging infrastructure with aftermarket products, the vehicle may not operate properly, which could harm our business.
Automobile enthusiasts may seek to “hack” our vehicles to modify its performance which could compromise vehicle safety systems. Also, we are aware of customers who have customized their vehicles with after-market parts that may compromise driver safety. For example, some customers have installed seats that elevate the driver such that airbag and other safety systems could be compromised. Other customers have changed wheels and tires, while others have installed large speaker systems that may impact the electrical systems of the vehicle. We have not tested, nor do we endorse, such changes or products. In addition, customer use of improper external cabling or unsafe charging outlets can expose our customers to injury from high voltage electricity. Such unauthorized modifications could reduce the safety of our vehicles and any injuries resulting from such modifications could result in adverse publicity which would negatively affect our brand and harm our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.
