General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumssafety issues with tesla-- interesting thread on twitter from guy who worked in quality control
for a company who made parts for tesla
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
here's the thread on threadreader:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1527437050101874712.html
NBachers
(17,135 posts)MichMan
(11,960 posts)orleans
(34,072 posts)MichMan
(11,960 posts)that makes it my fault?
Sounds like the supplier couldn't meet contractual agreements on quality and delivery and shipped non conforming product per their management. Tesla certainly didnt instruct them to do so. I worked 35 years for automotive suppliers.
I thought this part in particular was telling...
"Quality parts were being made, enough to keep Tesla lines running. When we ran behind, Tesla forced us to expedite shipments, huge expense to a small company!"
Supplier couldn't fulfill their production requirements and the poster makes it seem like Tesla was being unreasonable wanting parts expedited to keep their assembly plant running.
That's what happens when you can't meet orders and risk shutting down an assembly plant employing thousands. Seen it happen before with employers of mine. One even had helicopters landing in a field next to the plant every now and then. Cheaper than getting a big bill for assembly plant downtime.
kcr
(15,318 posts)if you keep using the parts. And I don't think Tesla pressuring them to expedite is the defense you think it is.
MichMan
(11,960 posts)If it isn't readily apparent by merely glancing at it by the operator on the line? Auto manufacturers do not have an army of receiving inspectors closely examining every single part to see if it meets requirements. They receive the components, move them to the line, and install them on the cars. Suppliers are expected to provide conforming product. Period. If they don't, they will be forced to hire a third party company to inspect the parts and pay those costs which gets very ugly.
The contracts between manufacturers and suppliers dictates price, specifications, quality, volume and delivery requirements. An auto manufacturer generally will place orders 10-12 weeks in advance for "x" number of pieces. The supplier accepts the contract through negotiation. Suppliers are eager to win business, so there are likely several bidders. It can be a very tough cutthroat cyclical business with low profit margins and hi pressure environment.
IF the supplier is behind due to machine downtime, excess scrap, staffing shortages, or a myriad of other issues, they are the ones expected to pay extra for expedited shipping. Not their customer, they just want good parts on time, like they ordered per the contract. Not days early or days late, but when they need them.
If they were to shut down Tesla's assembly line by missing a shipment, the costs would be millions and Tesla could charge that back to the supplier. Expediting parts under those circumstances isn't even a tough decision to make for a supplier. Seriously, do you expect Tesla to shut their line down and lay off thousands of workers because a supplier misses shipment by not expediting?
I spent 30 plus years working for several suppliers in a quality role, so I have extensive knowledge of this scenario. Just curious if you work in the automotive manufacturing industry ?
jmowreader
(50,562 posts)You are telling me that the control arms on a 6000-pound car are being made out of cast aluminum and not hydroformed stainless steel?
sir pball
(4,758 posts)IIRC Chevy uses alu arms in the Z71 off-road package, if they can handle a 5,000-lb pickup bouncing down a trail they're fine for a Tesla on a paved road.
Of course, that's contingent on them being manufactured correctly, which after seeing the finish in that picture, I have doubts about.
sir pball
(4,758 posts)Seriously, the physical cars are such garbage (and apparently completely unfit for the speeds they can achieve), I'm genuinely surprised they're still selling much at all. I'd spend my money on a VW ID.4, or if I had the 6 figures for a supersedan, a Porsche Taycan. They know how to make a 200mph car, thankyouverymuch.