Tesla workers were reportedly told by supervisors to use electrical tape during Model...

[Polycount]

In brief: When you look at the price of Tesla's vehicle line-up, you may assume that they're built to last -- and for the most part, you'd probably be right. However, as the company struggles to return to profitability, it's had to ramp up production significantly, and new reports suggest that may come with a few drawbacks.

Tesla employees who spoke to CNBC on the condition of anonymity told the outlet that, in order to meet the company's ambitious production goals, they were forced to resort to "fast fixes" to plastic part housing using materials as weak as electrical tape. Four individuals interviewed by CNBC claim this practice was even dictated by their supervisors.

Employees also say that their working conditions weren't exactly optimal. Those who worked in Tesla's outdoor production tent complained about poor air quality, extreme heat during the day, and other issues.

Tesla, for its part, says that the information provided by its employees is "misleading" and otherwise unrepresentative of what it's truly like to work inside the production tent.

An example photo of a rushed Model 3 part repair, provided to CNBC.

"We work hard to create a work environment that is as safe, fair and fun as possible, and it is incredibly important to us that employees look forward to coming to work every day," the company said. "In fact, we have a large number of employees who request to work on GA4 based on what they hear from colleagues and what they have seen first-hand."

Tesla also said that there could be other explanations for the electrical tape claims, noting that "many" Model 3 parts come with electrical tale pre-applied; fresh from the supplier. CNBC was able to confirm this information, but clarified that the photographs provided by employees were a far cry from the clean, neatly-applied tape that comes from suppliers -- for employees, the tape was "hastily cut," with "torn ends."

This isn't the first time reports have surfaced that criticize working conditions inside Tesla. The company was slapped with a near-$30,000 OSHA fine in January after the organization found numerous health hazards within Tesla's production tent, including large, uncovered holes and exposed poles that posed an "impalement hazard."

Image credit: CNBC

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https://www.techspot.com/news/80982-tesla-workers-reportedly-told-supervisors-use-electrical-tape.html

 

[wiyosaya]

If true, this does not sound good.

How many months now until Musky's drop dead date?

 

[yaulong]

If true, this does not sound good.

How many months now until Musky's drop dead date?

No big deal , seen that a lot in wiring looms on different cars here in germany.

 

[lipe123]

Uhm is this even news? No one cuts electric tape, you yank on it hard and it snaps leaving the "not neat" ends.
The picture shows nothing, a zoomed in blur with some tape around something - what is the context here? Looks like any other electric harness on any car I've seen before.

Also people complaining that it's hot and the work is hard in a desert? really?!?

I was expecting to see something actually bad like holding the safety belts down with electric tape or body panels or something.

 

[VitalyT]

Whatever people say about Musk, I consider him a reckless businessman. Especially after his official statements where he emphasized that he is not in it for the rich, he doesn't care about other companies using his patterns/innovations, etc.

What he doesn't realize is, if his company, as the pioneer of the industry, collapses over his financial shortsightedness, the turmoil that it will create throughout the industry will be enough to jeopardize and undo just about all of his achievements in the field.

He now needs to show everybody that what he does is indeed profitable, and most importantly - profitable today, now. But after reading all these PALMHAND articles about Tesla...

 

[Plutoisaplanet]

Also people complaining that it's hot and the work is hard in a desert? really?!?

I was expecting to see something actually bad like holding the safety belts down with electric tape or body panels or something.

This isn’t even in the desert, it’s by the mountains 20 miles from the coastline. The tent has huge openings and great ventilation. The area has some really temperate weather which is why they must’ve decided it was okay to build a production line outdoors. Idk how people could be complaining, cuz it’d be sick to work on the roof.

And yeah there’s so much clickbait nowadays... This news sounds like it’s engineered by CNBC just to get that ad revenue.

 

[wiyosaya]

No big deal , seen that a lot in wiring looms on different cars here in germany.

No wonder why some of the top German cars are rated near the bottom of reliability.

 

[wiyosaya]

Whatever people say about Musk, I consider him a reckless businessman. Especially after his official statements where he emphasized that he is not in it for the rich, he doesn't care about other companies using his patterns/innovations, etc.

What he doesn't realize is, if his company, as the pioneer of the industry, collapses over his financial shortsightedness, the turmoil that it will create throughout the industry will be enough to jeopardize and undo just about all of his achievements in the field.

He now needs to show everybody that what he does is indeed profitable, and most importantly - profitable today, now. But after reading all these PALMHAND articles about Tesla...

Personally, I do not give Musk/Tesla so much credit. As I see it, if Tesla folds today, the other car manufacturers out there would rejoice. Tesla is all marketing to people who like having fart sounds for their turn signals. Who GsAF about that? I don't!

Who GsAF about doing 0-60 in "ludicrous" mode when it is barely, if ever, needed? Oh, I know, its fun to drive - if you can afford one.

In my 06 Prius, I once had some complete a$$ in a souped up Honda being a stupid jerk and thinking that he could block my way at a traffic light one time. He was looking right at me like "what you gonna do?" I floored it and obliterated him and making his royal a$$ness completely obvious - all due to that 274ft-lbs of torque. Seeing his jaw drop, literally, was completely priceless!

The other manufacturers will survive and are far more likely to produce something that is affordable to the 99%, IMO. For me, Tesla is the Edsel of the modern day. Have a look at this and feel free to tell me that it does not sound like Tesla - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel

Not only that, but the other manufacturers are doing the hard stuff like research into battery technology when Tesla/Musk is not.

As I see it, Musk does not GAF about others using his patterns and innovations because they stem from off-the-shelf technology. IMO, if it is reduced to its common denominator, Tesla's EVs are nothing more than toy cars using AA batteries scaled up to be used by people and hyped as the ultimate innovation. I simply do not get why people do not see that.

That research other car manufacturers are doing and bringing the results of that research to market has a far better chance of bringing affordable EVs to the market.

As I see it, Musk is in it for one thing and one thing only aggrandization of his ego through profit.