This does not make me optimistic for Tesla's future. Unless this is truly a temporary thing due to a supply shortage and they are planning to return to normal when they can.
Tesla's track record is poor. They cheaped out on a few dollars for an IR rain sensor like everyone else uses, and as a result the wipers on a Model 3 are psychotic. Combine that with their hatred for manual controls, and I had a terrible experience every winter when the rains really started.
Now they don't have radar, which everyone else does. AFAIK they still haven't got that reliable IR sensor. No CarPlay yet, which 99% of all other cars have. No 360 degree camera view. No ultrasonic parking sensors. Why again would I buy another Tesla? The competition has more features.
The cherry on top is Tesla's demonstrated willingness to screw over their customers well after the sale, and not even for the benefit of the company. Just because they hate their customers, I guess. That alone is a deal killer for me now.
I agree that Hyundai is killing it, and I will seriously consider the ioniq 6 when it is available.
However, I don't think you can discount Tesla here. They produce ~ 5x more model 3's than Hyundai can produce ioniq 5's. And the Tesla battery / motor specs are much better.
I don't see any real competition for Tesla at their price point, specs, and production capabilities. Which is frustrating, because I want an EV but I will not buy a Tesla.
Which price point? Lots of non-Tesla EVs selling for a wide range of price points right now.
Totally with you on the Ioniq 6 — very attractive, and will have better service options should something go wrong. Would also consider Polestar 2. Maybe the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Maybe.
The only thing matching the Model 3's drivetrain specs (350+ miles, sub 4s 0-60, AWD) is the lucid air, which is more expensive and not in production yet. The mercedes EQS matches the range, but is much slower (and more expensive). Everything else has both less range and is slower. The Teslas also have the best MPGe of all the EVs available.
It is hard to deny that Tesla is dominating the EV scene right now. They objectively have the best, most efficient EV platform and the best charging network.
Realistically, my plan is to wait a few years before I buy my EV. I think with supply chains cleared up, battery tech improving, and old auto manufacturers ramping up their EV capacity, the options will be much better in ~5 years. I really hope the Dodge Challenger EV is good.
The right answer to the problem of "Tesla not having enough sensors" is NOT to rush into the hands of a brand who can't make an engine that doesn't grenade itself.
Oh, your engine made it past 50K? Good thing you're cars are gonna get stolen since they were too cheap to include immobilizers!
Do you own Ioniq? I am looking at EVs now, and top of typical things like range, reliability, etc. that you need to worry about, I also don’t want a make that is moving into “heated-seat as a service” territory. So far I haven’t heard about such crap from Hyundai, but I don’t know anyone who owns newer model.
Tesla's track record is poor. They cheaped out on a few dollars for an IR rain sensor like everyone else uses, and as a result the wipers on a Model 3 are psychotic. Combine that with their hatred for manual controls, and I had a terrible experience every winter when the rains really started.
Now they don't have radar, which everyone else does. AFAIK they still haven't got that reliable IR sensor. No CarPlay yet, which 99% of all other cars have. No 360 degree camera view. No ultrasonic parking sensors. Why again would I buy another Tesla? The competition has more features.
The cherry on top is Tesla's demonstrated willingness to screw over their customers well after the sale, and not even for the benefit of the company. Just because they hate their customers, I guess. That alone is a deal killer for me now.