Tesla recalls Roadsters
But it's not their fault
Leccy Tech Each and every all-electric dreamcar-speedster Tesla Roadster built before April 22, 2009 needs to have its innards examined.
In the finest bit of spinmeistering that The Reg has seen in many a moon, Telsa Motors issued a recall notice Thursday entitled "Tesla To Do House Calls." The house calls in question are visits by Tesla techs to the 345 owners of the aforementioned Roadsters to check whether their "rear, inner hub flange bolts" are properly torqued.
That'd be bolts in the cars, not the owners.
According to Tesla, the problem was discovered after a "root-cause analysis" showed that the "uncharacteristic handling" reported by one owner was caused by improper torquing of those pesky bolts by Lotus, the Roadster's contract manufacturer. Thus alerted, Lotus is also checking some of its Elise and Exige models.
As with most such recalls, the service will be performed at no cost to the owner. Unlike most such recalls, the service will begin with "house call" to he owner's home or office, where a Tesla tech will determine whether the Roadster needs to be taken into the shop for repairs that "will include a complimentary, full-vehicle inspection and software upgrade."
To say that Tesla has driven a rocky road would be an understatement. In the company's short life it has endured production delays, reorgs, layoffs, lawsuits, and funding follies.
But it has its friends, as well - notably California's unlikely governator Arnold Schwarzenegger and, most recently, Damlier AG, which just this month acquired 10 per cent of the company for a "double-digit million Euro sum."
We're fans of Tesla here at The Reg, as well, looking forward to its Sport and saving 4,990,000 of our pennies for a Model S. ®
COMMENTS
Recalls
I've been involved in the automotive replacement parts industry for a number of years. Here's my take on this:
The part in question was supplied by several different manufacturers, or was made with several different lot numbers, one of which has the problem. A technician can look at the lot number on the part by simply walking next to the car and using a mirror and/or a flashlight. That will tell him whether the part is one of the bad ones. He cannot, however, pull off the wheel assembly and replace it outside of the shop, where he has his tools and equipment.
As for as dealer replacing anything else while they work on the recall-related problem:
Some things are determined to be a warranty replacement, but are not worth having a recall. (eg cup holder falls off) Most dealers will check to see if they can find any other items to replace under warranty while the car is there, because a) It's more labor/profit for them, the factory pays for the work, not the dealer, and b) It's better to fix it now and have a more satisfied customer, isn't it? Who in the world would complain that the dealer fixed TOO MUCH stuff for free?
Re: American money. Is anybody out there going to contend that if I save 50 pennies, I don't have 50 cents? Really? I could also choose to save ten dimes, two quarters, or ten nickles, or any other combination of coins. Quit arguing about this. It's like running in the Special Olympics.
Why?
Lexus issued a recall last year for faulty welding causing the fuel line to leak. In the engine bay.
Renault also issued one for bonnets flying up due to poor locking and BMW have historically had a problem with 3 Series firing airbags for no reason. Why do I mention this? All motor manufacturers issue product recalls, and it's irritating to see Tesla seemingly singled out for this news story without showing some balance.
The childish comments about Lotus being an acronym are similarly irritating - obviously the fat bloke in the pub gobbing off has far too many friends. I will point out to Arnold Layne however that his failed water pump during 10 years of Lotus motoring was not made by Rover, but a component supplier so do try to be a bit more accurate please. A pity they went backwards from the K to the heavier Toyota and Vauxhall lumps incidentally, but then again Lotus were never an engine company.
@Jake the no nothing moron
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/circulatingCoins/index.cfm?action=CircPenny
The us mint website calls it a penny. They must be ignorant of their own creation, just like the rest of the 'mericans.
"The bust of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor D. Brenner, has been on the penny since 1909 which was the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth."
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