Tesla might be the new kid on the block, but the electric vehicle manufacturer’s fans are so unrelentingly loyal, many automakers only could dream of having such a following. That might not be the case for much longer, however.
“When consumers buy a mass-market car priced around $35,000 that will be their primary mode of transportation, the degree of expectation will increase immensely,” Kathleen Rizk, director of global automotive consulting at J.D. Power, said in a statement. “We’ve seen that with other well-liked brands, whether or not it involves an electric vehicle.”
In 2015, Tesla shocked the industry when its Model S P85D performed so well, it broke Consumer Reports’ rating scale. But later that year Consumer Reports was forced to revoke its recommendation of the luxury sedan, citing consumer complaints of dependability problems. Model X owners also have complained that its falcon-wing doors weren’t functioning properly.
These niggles haven’t decreased owners’ brand loyalty, though, as many Tesla fans pride themselves on being early adopters of alternative powertrains. While reliability issues might not sway some of Tesla’s existing following, it could well be enough to deter new customers, especially since it’s no longer the only player in the EV game.
Thumbnail photo via Tesla
