Ordered a new Tesla recently? You NEED to read this!!

Ordered a new Tesla recently? You NEED to read this!!

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soupdragon1

Original Poster:

4,622 posts

104 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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I don't want to be alarmist, but I'm alarmed at how Tesla operate in general from something I discovered today. If you've recently ordered a Tesla and are pending deliver, you should spend some time going through it with a fine tooth comb looking for faults.

In summary - what appears to be happening with Ex China Teslas

They are leaving the factory unfinished. Adecco (employment agency) are looking for workers at Zeebrugge port in Belgium to finish off the build. These agency workers will get 1 x days training, after which they are called 'Tesla mechanics' (I mean, seriously!?)

They will then finish your car.

They are starting work shortly (add has been up for a couple of weeks now) and will work for a few weeks while a huge batch of Q1 European Tesla orders from China arrive on 5 boats. I have it on good authority from a very reliable source that there are 5 boats destined for Europe, so quite a large number of cars.

If you've recently ordered a Tesla and are expecting delivery - there is a chance that your car is being finished by an unemployed agency worker who will have been given 1 days training which apparently, makes them a 'Tesla mechanic'

Not to be elitist or anything - I'm sure they will train them well, and some of them might actually have experience....but just be aware and when you take delivery - go over it with a fine toothcomb. Last thing you want is to take delivery and then find a lot of other buyers find themselves fighting over service appointments to get any issues fixed, taking your brand new car off the road.

soupdragon1

Original Poster:

4,622 posts

104 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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dxg

8,777 posts

267 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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It's not unheard of.

I remember that, for the Mk1 Fabia VRS SE, of which I ordered one, UK cars were having their standard interiors ripped out and the UK-specific leather interior being installed - in public view, on the dockside straight after they arrived here!!

rix

2,846 posts

197 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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Why do you think the role is fault finding etc?

anonymous-user

61 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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Sounds more like a supply chain issue than anything else. Job description looks pretty standard for short term agency type work.

The only thing unusual about this is they’re using agency workers at the port than a local facility which is why I’m thinking supply chain.

off_again

13,043 posts

241 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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dxg said:
It's not unheard of.

I remember that, for the Mk1 Fabia VRS SE, of which I ordered one, UK cars were having their standard interiors ripped out and the UK-specific leather interior being installed - in public view, on the dockside straight after they arrived here!!
Yeah, heard of this before. And quite a lot of cars here in the US (not Tesla) are shipped partially complete ready for the dealer to complete the options. Not talking add-on accessories either, some models have the same thing applied - so interiors replaced, suspension upgraded etc. Factory order, replaced / upgraded prior to arrival for the hand-over.

And I am not having a go the OP, but why not wait until you see some cars come through the process? They could be bad, but they could also be perfectly fine. And of course, you have the opportunity to reject the car if it doesnt meet expectations. All OEM's screw up occasionally, and as a consumer, you have rights here.

barryrs

4,553 posts

230 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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This used to be commonplace at Avonmouth docks with new Alfas if I remember correctly.

FeelingLucky

1,116 posts

171 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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soupdragon1 said:
I don't want to be alarmist
rolleyes

Buzz84

1,165 posts

156 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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Sometimes it's about import taxes and things like that.

I recall that when MG started up again under their current owners they advertised them as made in Britain and built a production line in the UK.

In reality they built them in China, shipped them over mostly complete and on this line they added the finishing touches, these touches made up enough work to qualify as made in Britain and meant they didn't have to pay import duties.

essayer

9,623 posts

201 months

Monday 31st January 2022
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If the instructions to remove/reinstall trim and refit components, follow checklists etc I can’t see it being particularly skilled work
If it’s that or hold at the factory and get more delay, what would you prefer?

soupdragon1

Original Poster:

4,622 posts

104 months

Monday 31st January 2022
quotequote all
off_again said:
Yeah, heard of this before. And quite a lot of cars here in the US (not Tesla) are shipped partially complete ready for the dealer to complete the options. Not talking add-on accessories either, some models have the same thing applied - so interiors replaced, suspension upgraded etc. Factory order, replaced / upgraded prior to arrival for the hand-over.

And I am not having a go the OP, but why not wait until you see some cars come through the process? They could be bad, but they could also be perfectly fine. And of course, you have the opportunity to reject the car if it doesnt meet expectations. All OEM's screw up occasionally, and as a consumer, you have rights here.
100%

As per thread title, its an advance watch out for those who have a car coming. If it turns out to be nothing/par for the course then happy days - nothing to worry about. Maybe it alarmed me more than it alarms others.

soupdragon1

Original Poster:

4,622 posts

104 months

Monday 31st January 2022
quotequote all
essayer said:
If the instructions to remove/reinstall trim and refit components, follow checklists etc I can’t see it being particularly skilled work
If it’s that or hold at the factory and get more delay, what would you prefer?
Is that a question foe me?

I haven't ordered one.

Durzel

12,459 posts

175 months

Tuesday 1st February 2022
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Given that the cars don't have engines there really isn't much to them mechanically, not in the "finishing" level of things anyway.

I took out the centre console from my car to retrofit something, and it was super easy, basically 6 bolts holding it in. I'm not a mechanic and couldn't even confidently do an oil or brake pad change. From speaking to mobile service guys that have come out to fix some PDI issues he said that they were made in such a way as to be really easy to take apart and put back together.

Heres Johnny

7,469 posts

131 months

Tuesday 1st February 2022
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It's probably the USB ports that they've been shipping cars without. If its anything more than that it does start to become a little worrying but I dount it, or at least no different to the standard they're built to in the first place.

I think I'd be more worried about the environment in which they're working. If its a car parked on a dock side with no protection, no easy hand washing and other facilities, maybe even poor lighting then its easy to see how it can go wrong.

delta0

2,392 posts

113 months

Tuesday 1st February 2022
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Can also be due to needing a certain percentage of the vehicle needing to be made in Europe. That includes assembly.

h0b0

8,178 posts

203 months

Tuesday 1st February 2022
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I am starting to panic...


I do not even have a Tesla on order

Heres Johnny

7,469 posts

131 months

Tuesday 1st February 2022
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delta0 said:
Can also be due to needing a certain percentage of the vehicle needing to be made in Europe. That includes assembly.
It’s not that. They stopped doing that when they stopped model s & x deliveries and have never done it for the 3 or y. The motors and battery need to be shipped separately and assembly would take more than a dick side, 1 day of training operation.

delta0

2,392 posts

113 months

Wednesday 2nd February 2022
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Heres Johnny said:
It’s not that. They stopped doing that when they stopped model s & x deliveries and have never done it for the 3 or y. The motors and battery need to be shipped separately and assembly would take more than a dick side, 1 day of training operation.
Ah ok. Possibly the usb issue others mentioned?

jay2000

125 posts

108 months

Thursday 3rd February 2022
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FUD?

Uncle boshy

350 posts

76 months

Friday 4th February 2022
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Did a student job like this 25 years ago at avonmouth for a week on a boatload of new cars