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Tesla is currently in the final testing stages ahead of Cybertruck deliveries. Last month, Tesla produced the first Cybertruck release candidate and since then Cybertruck production at Giga Texas has reached 5 to 10 trucks a day.
And as Tesla nears its first Cybertruck deliveries, the EV maker’s oldest foe is rearing its ugly head once more. Despite Tesla vehicles having some of the best tech and performance in the automotive world, for the longest time, Teslas have been criticized for low build quality and uneven panel gaps.
Build quality issues were so common at Tesla that it was once common practice for new Tesla owners to take their new car automatically to a third-party detailer for paint correction or immediately book an appointment with Tesla service to correct misalignment in the build of the car that causes creaking noises and vibration.
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However, in the past couple of years, as Tesla has massively grown production and the company’s vehicle offerings have matured, so has improved Tesla’s build quality. And now, the EV maker has one of the best vehicle fit and finish in the industry.
This has taken Tesla years of refining the Model S, 3, X, & Y production lines. However, now, Tesla is launching a brand-new product – the Cybertruck. And concerns about the truck's fit and finish are starting to appear even before Tesla has delivered the first Cbyertruck.
A few hours ago, Elon Musk posted on X a picture of him driving a Cybertruck writing “Just drove the production candidate Cybertruck at Tesla Giga Texas!”
Just drove the production candidate Cybertruck at Tesla Giga Texas! pic.twitter.com/S0kCyGUBFD
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 23, 2023
This was an exciting announcement on Musk’s part as a “production candidate” truck is one step closer than a “release candidate” truck to volume production. However, one glaring issue with the Cybertruck picture Musk shared was the multiple uneven panel gaps apparent in the relatively low-resolution picture and X users were quick to point out the fit and finish issues.
This is a production candidate vehicle, as a result, the Cybertruck having some fit and finish issues at this point is completely normal, after all this is exactly why Tesla is testing the truck.
However, testing also requires identifying issues and making timely corrections and Musk seems to have done exactly that after reviewing the production candidate Cybertruck.
In a leaked new internal email, Elon Musk wrote to Tesla employees saying…
Due to the nature of Cybertruck, which is made of bright metal with mostly straight edges, any dimensional variation shows up like a sore thumb.
All parts for this vehicle, whether internal or from suppliers, need to be designed and built to sub 10 micron accuracy.
That means all part dimensions need to be to the third decimal place in millimeters and tolerances need be specified in single digit microns. If LEGO and soda cans, which are very low cost, can do this, so can we.
Precision predicates perfectionism.
Elon
Although it’s difficult to say with any certainty, Musk’s description of uneven panel gaps of the Cybertruck as “stands out like a sore thumb” suggests Musk is not speaking in hypotheticals but rather after witnessing the issue in person and most likely in the same production candidate truck he shared a picture of earlier in the day.
Internal email from Elon Musk on cyber truck @teslaeconomist @SawyerMerritt @TeslaPodcast @DillonLoomis22 @TeslaBoomerMama @DirtyTesLa pic.twitter.com/gMlJ0AnFmG
— YYDS (@ya78756632) August 23, 2023
Given all the improvements Tesla has made with the fit and finish of its vehicles, I’m hopeful with Elon Musk’s recent rally to achieve LEGO and Soda cans precision with the Cybertruck, the vehicle will have exceptional build quality from the get-go.
Currently, as we wait for Tesla to announce the delivery event, this is all the information we’ve regarding the Cybertruck. However, we’ll be sure to keep you posted when we learn more about Tesla’s future plans.
Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.
So what do you think? Disappointed to see fit and finish issues in the production candidate Cybertruck? Also, are you hopeful that Tesla will achieve LEGO and soda can level of precision with the Cybertruck? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
For more information check out: Did We Just Get a Leak for the First Cybertruck Deliveries?
Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.
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