[bro1999]

Video of a "customer" taking delivery of their Model 3 in Texas was uploaded on Youtube, but was yanked rather quickly. The same video popped up on Youtube a little later, as someone else uploaded it, but it too was taken down. This IEVs article details what was discussed in the video, and mentions both videos being taken down, likely because Tesla forced the people that uploaded them to delete them for violating their bogus NDA on Model 3s currently being "delivered". http://insideevs.com/first-tesla-model-3-delivery-texas/.

Completely ridiculous that a car delivered almost 2 months ago is being shrouded in secrecy via NDAs! This ain't revealing some secret squirrel trade secrets, it's basic functions of how the (very unfinished) UI works. WTF!

Here's a rundown for those that can't watch the video (or Tesla forces the video to be deleted AGAIN):
- early on, Tesla rep mentions there may still be a "12 volt" issue, so keep the car charged (wtf? Tesla is delivering 3s with potential 12 volt battery issues still outstanding??)
- Revealed that the 3 being delivered only has Slacker radio/streaming radio. No AM/FM radio, though it may come in an "update" later
- no streaming music through bluetooth connection, though phone functions will work (again, update should be coming)
- no equalizer settings for music (update later blah blah blah)
- No way to turn the windshield wipers "ON" without using the center display (there is a way to do a 1-time wipe/spray+wipe with the left stalk though). And no intermittent setting or auto-wiper function enabled yet (again, "update" may be coming)
- no in-car WIFI

Thank God for OTA updates, or else Tesla would have never been able to deliver the obviously yet-to-be-finished Model 3 by that self-imposed July deadline! No wonder they have an NDA out and declined allowing the 3 to be considered for NACOTY. "Production ready" car alright.

Link to the video: https://streamable.com/384r7

 

[BAZINGA]

So the "owner" isn't really the owner then. So they should not be called delivers or privately owned. They are still test mules being driven by Tesla employees. Another case of EM meeting a deadline by creative means.

 

[Billtphotoman]

That Tesla store is 4 miles from my house so I will be on the lookout for a Model 3. I can see why Tesla pulled it but I suspect it will keep resurfacing.

 

[PrivatePilot]

Slow clap, Tesla.

The Tesla fanboy's will be appologists and say that it's all overblown, even though to me, as an EV owner looking in, some of that seems inexcusable. The anti-EV crowd, once they get word of it, will use it as more ammunition against EV's. The indifferent general public will have a lesser view of Tesla as a company that delivers a poor/half baked product.

Tesla should have just waited a little longer to get things right instead of rushing to production. If the software is coming off the line half baked, one might be left wondering what's happening with the hardware.

 

[bro1999]

So the "owner" isn't really the owner then. So they should not be called delivers or privately owned. They are still test mules being driven by Tesla employees. Another case of EM meeting a deadline by creative means.

This first wave of Model 3s are basically what GM was having driven around by employees early last year with pre-production Bolts. Only difference is Tesla is trying to claim these beta/pre-production units are production vehicles in order to satisfy stock holders and keep that TSLA valuation up. Pretty deplorable antics.

 

[ianjay]

The user interface is like flying a small plane! God, what is Tesla thinking? Have they forgotten about actually driving down the road instead of playing a video game or flight simulator? At 30 mph you're covering 33 feet per second - hmm, let's see I want to set my wiper speed and turn on the rear defroster - oh damn, just ran over a raccoon - gee, or was it a small child?
The car certainly seems safe to demonstrate in the showroom, but I sure don't know what is going to happen after they leave the lot. In places where texting or using your cell phone can get you a distracted driving charge*, this takes it to a whole new level.


* which I wholeheartedly agree with

 

[bro1999]

The user interface is like flying a small plane! God, what is Tesla thinking? Have they forgotten about actually driving down the road instead of playing a video game or flight simulator? At 30 mph you're covering 33 feet per second - hmm, let's see I want to set my wiper speed and turn on the rear defroster - oh damn, just ran over a raccoon - gee, or was it a small child?
The car certainly seems safe to demonstrate in the showroom, but I sure don't know what is going to happen after they leave the lot. In places where texting or using your cell phone can get you a distracted driving charge*, this takes it to a whole new level.


* which I wholeheartedly agree with

Well, with automatic emergency braking at least some raccoons/little kids will be spared from distracted 3 owners trying to turn on their wipers or trying to pull up the music screen, which took 4-5 taps in the video. .....Wait, even AEB on current Teslas being delivered isn't enabled. Nevermind.
https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/tesla-turns-off-aeb-in-some-models/

 

[viking79]

I have been saying since the first units shipped that the car is not really in production. The Tesla fanbois didn't appreciate me much and they constantly call me a troll. It appears the hardware is mostly finished, but not the software. The OC Detailer overview of it mentioned that the bluetooth phone entry wasn't working yet either (at least he implied it saying it would be available later). I wouldn't be surprised if these early cars have to go back in for rework. I think this charade was for his bond offering to go smoothly, which it did.

If we look at GM Bolt EV timeline, they gave early production models to employees and test fleets for good reason, they can't just skip those steps, and they aren't, they are just making employees buy the cars instead.

 

[Steverino]

They don't need test mules. From computer design right into production.

Production cars that aren't.

 

[Mister Dave]

It appears the hardware is mostly finished, but not the software.

IIRC that happened with model X gull wing doors on cars that were shipped to customers. I was shocked to see Musk admit that in a stockholders meeting. So what else is new?

 

[hvacman]

Q4 2017 starts in 6 days. Could someone remind me of how many Model 3 units were projected to be "delivered" by December 31st?

 

[Upper5Percent]

Q4 2017 starts in 6 days. Could someone remind me of how many Model 3 units were projected to be "delivered" by December 31st?

Following a "handover party" for the first 30 "buyers", Tesla says production for the $35,000-and-up vehicle will reach 100 vehicles per month by August (didn't happen), "above" 1,500 per month by September(does NOT appear to be happening), and then a hefty 20,000 per month by December.(seems to be indeterminate as to how many per month for Oct and Nov...)

 

[Mister Dave]

LOL - The Dreadnought assembly line has become sentient and is fighting back. Looks like Musk was right to be afraid of AI.

That was a joke - just in case anyone here is bereft of a sense of humor and couldn't detect it.

 

[RoRo]

The UI and ergonomics on the TM3 are even WORSE than I expected.

No physical buttons, knobs or sliders for the HVAC? Are you kidding me? Good luck using those with gloves.
No manual connection to the HVAC vents to direct air? Huh? That is by design. Ridiculous.

Now, this is due to the early "release".
The freaking windshield washers aren't hooked up to the stalk yet? COME ON!
No radio. No satellite. No Bluetooth.

This is entire thing is a joke.

I expect to see more than half of the reservations on this car disappear as people learn more about them.

 

[bro1999]

The Model 3's UI is getting absolutely skewered in the comments section of this Jalopnik article:
https://jalopnik.com/here-s-our-first-good-look-at-how-the-tesla-model-3s-to-1818719595

 

[11715]

The Model 3's UI is getting absolutely skewered in the comments section of this Jalopnik article:
https://jalopnik.com/here-s-our-first-good-look-at-how-the-tesla-model-3s-to-1818719595

All of this negative news on Tesla. Christmas came early for you.

 

[hvacman]

Following a "handover party" for the first 30 "buyers", Tesla says production for the $35,000-and-up vehicle will reach 100 vehicles per month by August (didn't happen), "above" 1,500 per month by September(does NOT appear to be happening), and then a hefty 20,000 per month by December.(seems to be indeterminate as to how many per month for Oct and Nov...)

Does Tesla stage their units for shipping in an outdoor lot at the Fremont plant? That is SOP at most automotive plants, as when a mass-production line is cranking, there isn't anywhere near enough room indoors to inventory the units prior to shipment. It should be pretty easy for anyone in the Fremont area to check on and even get spy-shots. Being that the M3 rollout is one of the biggest news items in the automotive world, the fact we aren't yet seeing spyshots of 100's of M3's lined up in the back lot ready for shipment speaks volumes.

 

[DonC]

Personally I don't see Tesla missing the deadlines for the Model 3 as being much of a deal. A month or even a year shouldn't fundamentally change anything. To me the biggest issue will be when Tesla actually starts selling the Model 3 in volume. At that point everyone expects to see black rather than red ink, but I can't see that happening.

Only difference is Tesla is trying to claim these beta/pre-production units are production vehicles in order to satisfy stock holders and keep that TSLA valuation up. Pretty deplorable antics.

I wouldn't say it's deplorable. Investors are big boys and girls. If they keep believing the BS I don't see why Tesla would stop dishing it out. Who knows. Perhaps Tesla will defy the math and make it work. Or, more likely, California will bail them out.

 

[CCIE]

Personally I don't see Tesla missing the deadlines for the Model 3 as being much of a deal. A month or even a year shouldn't fundamentally change anything. To me the biggest issue will be when Tesla actually starts selling the Model 3 in volume. At that point everyone expects to see black rather than red ink, but I can't see that happening.

Missing by a few months shouldn't be a big deal, and should really be expected based on Tesla's track record. Anything beyond that and their stock price will crater, which they can't afford to let happen. So, I think they'll be delivering some buggy cars at first.


As for profitability, they need to sell M3s with a lot of high-profit options installed. So, people will be required to add some options for quite some time. This will either be openly required in the configurator, or their delivery date will be far in the future if they attempt to buy a stripped car. They created a $35k version of the car since it sounds good, but they have no intention of selling more than a token number of that stripped version.

 

[sosmerc]

As we can all witness, Tesla is not your grandfather's car company. It remains to be seen how things are going to work out, but something tells me that in the end Tesla will remain the leader when it coImes to moving transportation away from dependence on fossil fuel. I sincerely hope the Model 3 launch goes smoothly and the early production kinks get worked out before the vast majority of new owners get their vehicles. For the most part current Tesla owners seem to be pleased with their cars and feel they were worth the wait and the cost.