Tesla Model X Reliability Greatly Improved, Model 3 Plan On Track, & Supercharger Network Growing
In addition to the information on production, revenue, deliveries, Tesla gigafactories, and profitability, the newly released Tesla Q3 2016 shareholder letter also provides some interesting information on Model 3 production plan status, Model X reliability improvements, the ongoing Supercharger station buildout, and the opening of new stores and service centers.
Perhaps most notable is that the “amount of issues that we have addressed with (the) Model X have fallen by 92% in the last 12 months, a reflection of the improvements we have made in Model X due to our ability and commitment to react quickly to issues.”
That’s a significant improvement. Considering that reliability has been the main stick in the mud for the Model X — with Consumer Reports giving the model pretty low marks in that regard — the improvements are very notable. Other than some reports of reliability problems — which aren’t surprising considering how much new tech is in the model — the Model X has gotten very good reviews to date.
The shareholder letter also provided an update on Model 3 production plan status. Here’s more on that: “For Model 3, we have completed production line layouts and will soon begin installation of new body welding and final assembly lines. We have established a world class team of suppliers for Model 3 production equipment and components and critical long lead time equipment and components have been sourced. We are now testing vehicle systems such as chassis, the high voltage drive system, and low voltage subsystems such as vehicle controllers, HVAC, infotainment, and lighting. As refinement of the Model 3 continues, we remain on plan for our timing, volume, vehicle capability, pricing, and margin targets.”
On a more mundane level, Tesla’s Supercharger network continues to grow — at the end of Quarter 3 2016 the network had reached a count of 715 locations worldwide, and 4,461 individual charging Superchargers. Notably, roughly 97% of the population of the continental US now lives within 150 miles of a Supercharger. In Western Europe, the figure is now 86%. The company claims that high-population regions of China, Australia, and Japan, will soon play host to similar levels of Supercharger station coverage.
Tesla’s Destination Charger network continues to grow rapidly as well, now comprising 3,222 chargers and 5,547 connection points worldwide as of the end of Quarter 3 2016, according to the letter.
Stores and service centers are becoming more common as well, with the company opening 17 new ones during the quarter. The company’s global, combined store + service center network now numbers 250.
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