Post AdDg3CFwTm2kAPuQAS by drgeraint@glasgow.social
(DIR) More posts by drgeraint@glasgow.social
(DIR) Post #AdDbCjypxnvfb0djI8 by drgeraint@glasgow.social
2023-12-27T00:42:49Z
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I'm an engineer who has designed vehicles (aircraft) and have a good understanding of safety critical systems.I lived in Texas for several years, have driven American cars and know that in general their build quality is far below that of European and Asian manufacturers.But no other American car has build quality as bad as Tesla.I really can't understand why anyone would buy one. I'd rather drive a Trabant.https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/tesla-musk-steering-suspension/
(DIR) Post #AdDcyWct15yG27iocq by coffee2Di4@glasgow.social
2023-12-27T01:02:40Z
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@drgeraint I have many reasons for not buying a Tesla, but not being able to wash it is a new one on the list. "a power-steering connector had corroded. The manager said the likely cause was a car wash, which he described as a known problem."
(DIR) Post #AdDe5BKegZp3yKvrjE by vfrmedia@social.tchncs.de
2023-12-27T01:15:04Z
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@drgeraint this happened in England - in the end Tesla passed the cost onto the drivers insurance company (who did pay most of it, minus the excess) - this now means insurance companies all over the country often refuse to quote for any EV (not only Tesla) or load the premiums as they fear being handed high repair costs...
(DIR) Post #AdDeWOFgl3EfrSaDhY by drgeraint@glasgow.social
2023-12-27T01:20:00Z
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@vfrmedia Given how incompetent the government is in Westminster, insurance companies are a surer guarantor of safety than legislative regulation; but if the failings of Tesla are extrapolated to all EV companies, that is counter-productive.
(DIR) Post #AdDex1IyBNr6VjoeX2 by vfrmedia@social.tchncs.de
2023-12-27T01:24:48Z
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@drgeraint This is exactly what is happening, although a trade association of fleet managers is trying to challenge the premium hikeshttps://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fleets-urged-to-educate-insurers-increasing-premiums-for-electric-vehicles
(DIR) Post #AdDfIAtphnJeLi96VE by davevolek@mastodon.social
2023-12-27T01:28:37Z
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@drgeraint I was in a Trabant. It's kind of hard to imagine a worse car.
(DIR) Post #AdDfaZ3UdKPYTnQupc by drgeraint@glasgow.social
2023-12-27T01:31:57Z
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@davevolek Fair comment; but I chose that comparator car for a reason.Have you ever been in a Tesla travelling at high speed on Scottish roads when it suddenly encounters a roundabout and decides to give up control to the driver at the last minute, after approaching far too fast?
(DIR) Post #AdDg3CFwTm2kAPuQAS by drgeraint@glasgow.social
2023-12-27T01:37:06Z
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@davevolek That didn't happen to me, btw. I've never been in a Tesla and never intend to.It's an anecdote from a colleague who designed cars for a very well known Italian sports car manufacturer, who told me of the time when they were most shocked and fearful as a passenger.
(DIR) Post #AdDnU35FOE45DVepvM by davevolek@mastodon.social
2023-12-27T03:00:19Z
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@drgeraint No, but my Trabant driver was disabled, with no right arm, but a right hand stuck out of his shoulder. He rigged up some mechanism to shift the gears. Watching him shift gears, with the car shaking and rattling. Great roar of the underpowered engine! Black smoke! "This is Slovakia," I thought. Unique experience, indeed. But much safer than your Tesla.