Roof flies off new Tesla while driving down the hiway

[Beetlegeuse]

I've been saying it from Day 1. The hardest part to get right about the electric car is not the electric part, it's the car part. Every car manufacturer in a western industrialized world can learn to build an electric-only powerplant the equal of a Tesla's in about 1/10th the time it will take Tesla to learn to build an automobile with the same level of quality as well as the guys who've been doing it for 50 years already do. And it is highly unllkely -- considering the Tesla's price and "niche" appeal -- that it will survive long enough to reach that equilibrium (hell, it wouldn't have lasted this long without all the government charity).

And apparently Tesla has squandered what it should have learned from 16 years of building cars.


Brand New Tesla Model Y's Roof Flies Off On the Highway

That's a new one.

As if fake wood holding together a car's air conditioning system wasn't bad enough, a user on one of Reddit's Tesla communities has reported that, after taking delivery of a brand new Model Y, the glass roof was peeled off by the wind and blown onto the freeway. To be clear, Tesla doesn't make any convertibles.

The Reddit user says their dad went to pick up the car on Sunday and decided to bring them along in case he had any technical issues with the car. While driving it down California's Highway 580 for a few miles, the pair began to hear a lot of wind noise. After ensuring the windows of the car were all closed, they drove for another moment before the entire glass roof of the car was allegedly sucked off the rails and tossed onto the highway behind them. The video below only shows the aftermath, not the event itself....



This originally was posted on Reddit, and the lone photo the guy took is truly awful (might be an MG-B, might be a 911T, hard to tell) but his video is better.

Check out the Reddit comments posted RE: the build quality experience others comment to. Every Tesla I ever have seen in the flesh had build quality that reminded me of a kit car. I expect to pop the trunk and find a VW flat-4 back there.


And on a related matter ...

Watch a Tesla Model 3 Fail an Automatic Braking Test and Vaporize a Robot Pedestrian

That's a bit unsettling.

[almostgone]

Tesla has quite a few issues. Some are growing pains/ lack of attention to detail, like misaligned exterior trim and body panels. Other issues are total FUBARS like what happened with this one.

Glad no one behind the Tesla got injured.

[Test Monsterone]

My friends in LA bought a Tesla. A week into owning it the guy hits a bump in the road, goes airborne and hits the ground twice. Everything is cracked according to the repair shop. $38,000 bill. Insurance is covering it somehow.

[BG]

This is what happens when modern day Hippies makes cars.

[Beetlegeuse]

Some people like to claim that Leonardo da Vinci invented all manner of shit, from the machine gun to the submarine, when the only connection he had to most of these items was that he conceived of them and doodled his idea. Like the parachute seen above.

I take issue with most of the claims of "invention" because conceiving of a thing is not the same as creating a working model, at the very least a "proof of concept" prototype. And as far as anyone knows, da Vinci never built even a mock-up of his parachute, so his "invention" forever remains nothing but a doodle.

But the greater problem with da Vinci's "parachute" was that at the time when Leonardo conceived of it, there was absolutely no practical use for it. Not only were the no aircraft yet, not even any hot air balloons (until ~300 years later), neither were there any high suspension bridges (for BASE jumping). Which probably is why neither he nor anyone else bothered to flesh out his idea.

The tin can was invented by Englishman Peter Durand in 1810. But there wasn't much market for food in tin cans until 45 years later, when someone finally got round to inventing the friggin' can opener.

So what's this got to do with the Tesla? It shows that sometimes the proliferation of one technology can be stymied by the lack of developments in other areas. In the case of the electric vehicle, the automotive infrastructure is as yet decidedly unconducive to their proliferation on a number of accounts, not the least of which is the scarcity of public charging stations. There are an estimated 20,000 public charging stations in the US, however, there are 35,000 towns and cities. And the vast majority of those chargers will be in larger settlements, not the small burgs and hamlets. And there's also this:

NTSB Claims Half of U.S. Fire Departments Can’t Handle EV Fires

By Matt Posky on October 9, 2020

... According to data compiled from over a dozen reports, the NTSB believes fire departments are woefully unprepared to tackle hybrid and electric vehicles. The group estimated that roughly half of all American departments lacked any protocols for tackling such fires. Even among those who did, the criteria provided was often quite lax and might be insufficient for suppressing those famously troublesome lithium-ion battery fires....


And in case you haven't noticed, Teslas catch fire. They catch fire in crashes, they catch fire when they're flooded with water, they even catch fire when they're turned off and sitting unoccupied. Even the charging stations catch fire. Which I would think would be very concerning to Tesla owners and prospective buyers, but apparently I overestimate either their tolerance to risk or their intelligence. Or both.

And it's not just Tesla. During the 2017 filming of an episode of The Grand Tour TV series, presenter Richard Hammond crashed a £2 million electric-only Swiss supercar (claimed 1224 bhp & 1180 lbft of Q) called the Rimac Concept One. Show producer Andy Willman said that the car was engulfed in flames within seconds after they'd extracted Hammond from the wreckage.

And they couldn't cart off the wreckage for a spell because fires continued to reoccur periodically for three days. AFTER the fire department had dumped a jazillion gallons of water on it.

When you've got a battery packing that much potential (some later Tesla battery packs have a total near as makes no difference 2000 amps). Amperage used by a typical electric chair is seven to 12. Which means the danger from an EV battery "leak" is unavoidably extreme.

I had an argument about this with a knucklehead on a Formula One forum back when F1 adopted the new 'hybrid' engine format because one of the safety procedures was that the driver had to literally jump into the air when getting out of the car to avoid having a foot on the ground while still in contact of the cart. He was quick to point out that a tank full of gasoline also is potentially lethal, yet we've been driving gas-powered cars for >120 years.

But what he was (willfully) overlooking was that there is such a thing as a 'harmless' gasoline leak. But when you've got a storage battery with 100+ times the electrical potential of "Ol Sparky," it's always potentially lethal, regardless how small the "leak" is.

And it's just a matter of time before that fact will cost a firefighter his life.

[Cuz]

Think ill pass on the bullshit electric/ eco friendly garbage the liberals love and keep my gas engine pick up truck

[Test Monsterone]

So what’s your point, that nothing should ever progress because of the inherent imperfection of new technology? I’m sure some people said the same thing when the first Model T hit the streets. I see Teslas everywhere where I live and have never seen one on the side of the road or on fire. I wouldn’t be so condescending of people much more intelligent than you and I. They are the ones bringing progress to humanity, not the ones who criticize them without any great ideas of their own.

[Beetlegeuse]

So what’s your point, that nothing should ever progress because of the inherent imperfection of new technology? ....

I'm just not so dazzled by everything that glitters that I don't still take a skeptical look at it. It's called "critical thinking." You should try it some time.

And "new technology?" The first battery powered automobile was built in 1884. Almost 140 years later and it's still not ready for prime time. If it was 140 years later and airplanes still weren't living up to their billing, locomotive engineers at AmTrak probably would be being better paid than aeronautical engineers for Boeing.


As for the rest of your sanctimonious psychobabble, ...

Hermann Goering's IQ was 138 (2 points from "Genius")

Unibomber Ted Kaczynski's is 167.

Rodney Alcala, the most sadistic serial killer in US history (and possibly most prolific, with 45 "probable" murders that couldn't be proved), has an IQ of 160.

Jeffrey Dahmer's IQ was 144.

Ted Bundy's IQ was 136, 4 points short of genius.

Charlene Gallego was a serial kidnapper, rapist and murderer. She's also a violin prodigy with an IQ of 160.

Daniel Gajdusek was a Nobel-Laureate with an IQ of 180. He also was a convicted child molester.

Nathan Leopold's IQ was 200+. His partner in crime, Richard Loeb had an IQ of 160. Thinking it would be a hoot to commit the "perfect crime," they kidnapped and murdered a 14-year-old boy. And it wasn't quite as perfect as they thought, 'cuz they got caught.

And that's just the short list.


So remind me again just how much progress all the intelligent people are bringing to the world?

[Test Monsterone]

I'm just not so dazzled by everything that glitters that I don't still take a skeptical look at it. It's called "critical thinking." You should try it some time.

And "new technology?" The first battery powered automobile was built in 1884. Almost 140 years later and it's still not ready for prime time. If it was 140 years later and airplanes still weren't living up to their billing, locomotive engineers at AmTrak probably would be being better paid than aeronautical engineers for Boeing.


As for the rest of your sanctimonious psychobabble, ...

Hermann Goering's IQ was 138 (2 points from "Genius")

Unibomber Ted Kaczynski's is 167.

Rodney Alcala, the most sadistic serial killer in US history (and possibly most prolific, with 45 "probable" murders that couldn't be proved), has an IQ of 160.

Jeffrey Dahmer's IQ was 144.

Ted Bundy's IQ was 136, 4 points short of genius.

Charlene Gallego was a serial kidnapper, rapist and murderer. She's also a violin prodigy with an IQ of 160.

Daniel Gajdusek was a Nobel-Laureate with an IQ of 180. He also was a convicted child molester.

Nathan Leopold's IQ was 200+. His partner in crime, Richard Loeb had an IQ of 160. Thinking it would be a hoot to commit the "perfect crime," they kidnapped and murdered a 14-year-old boy. And it wasn't quite as perfect as they thought, 'cuz they got caught.

And that's just the short list.


So remind me again just how much progress all the intelligent people are bringing to the world?

Yes, new technology. The gasoline powered engine was invented in 1872, before batteries. Yet here we are in 2020, going on 2021, and your Dodge RAM 1500 still can't get better than 16 mpg. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that there are more powers at play than simple lack of technology or innovation holding back electric vehicles. For one, republicans have fought against alternative/renewable fuel sources for years, since their pockets are lined by Exxon/BP lobbyists and special interest groups.

Yes, batteries have been around for a while, but there just wasn't a demand for battery powered vehicles because of the abundance of fossil fuels and the monopoly of fossil fuel companies on our energy grid, and their influence on politics/politicians. In addition, batteries are a complicated technology. There are all types of battery technologies, whereas an internal combustion engine is relatively the same, whether you have 3 cylinders or 12.

You listed the most successful (at killing) serial killers and their corresponding IQs. I'm sure that one of the reasons they were so successful at murder was their IQ. There are very smart people of all pedigrees, including child molesters/pedophiles, murderers, rapists, convicts, etc. Intelligence includes creativity, ability to reason, open-mindedness (you should try it), and many other attributes. It does not include morals or ethics. It sounds like you're trying to say that intelligent people should not get much credit for bringing progress because a handful of murderers were intelligent? Are you sure I'm the one that needs help with critical thinking? BTW intelligent people are the ones bringing about most progress in the world, I don't see how anyone can argue against this notion.

Electric vehicles are the future, whether we like it or not. I like gas powered vehicles because of the sound, shifting gears, etc., but I'd be a fool to think that we are not headed in the direction of electric vehicles in the next few decades. Batteries are becoming more and more compact, and we are able to pull more and more wattage/voltage out of each successive advancement in battery technology. This isn't just "Everything that glitters," this is likely the future unless some other technology, like hydrogen power, advances. Fossil fuels and combustion engines will seem as outdated to people as coal and steam powered engines seem to us now.

[Honkey_Kong]

Yes, new technology. The gasoline powered engine was invented in 1872, before batteries. Yet here we are in 2020, going on 2021, and your Dodge RAM 1500 still can't get better than 16 mpg. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that there are more powers at play than simple lack of technology or innovation holding back electric vehicles. For one, republicans have fought against alternative/renewable fuel sources for years, since their pockets are lined by Exxon/BP lobbyists and special interest groups.

Yes, batteries have been around for a while, but there just wasn't a demand for battery powered vehicles because of the abundance of fossil fuels and the monopoly of fossil fuel companies on our energy grid, and their influence on politics/politicians. In addition, batteries are a complicated technology. There are all types of battery technologies, whereas an internal combustion engine is relatively the same, whether you have 3 cylinders or 12.


Electric vehicles are the future, whether we like it or not. I like gas powered vehicles because of the sound, shifting gears, etc., but I'd be a fool to think that we are not headed in the direction of electric vehicles in the next few decades. Batteries are becoming more and more compact, and we are able to pull more and more wattage/voltage out of each successive advancement in battery technology. This isn't just "Everything that glitters," this is likely the future unless some other technology, like hydrogen power, advances. Fossil fuels and combustion engines will seem as outdated to people as coal and steam powered engines seem to us now.

The biggest problems I see with electric isn't really the batteries, it's the fact that the grid is on life-support already and they're not building more power plants to meet the demand. We can't meet demands already and so on hot days, California has rolling blackouts.

If we're going to make the switch to electric cars, then we need more power generated. Whether that be from burning coal, oil, solar, wind or nuclear we need more and we need a lot of it. I see the "green" politicians legislating against gas cars, but none of them setup legislation to build the infrastructure that is needed to support their electric car dream. It's going to cost trillions of dollars to get us there.

[Test Monsterone]

The biggest problems I see with electric isn't really the batteries, it's the fact that the grid is on life-support already and they're not building more power plants to meet the demand. We can't meet demands already and so on hot days, California has rolling blackouts.

If we're going to make the switch to electric cars, then we need more power generated. Whether that be from burning coal, oil, solar, wind or nuclear we need more and we need a lot of it. I see the "green" politicians legislating against gas cars, but none of them setup legislation to build the infrastructure that is needed to support their electric car dream. It's going to cost trillions of dollars to get us there.

You don't think that if fossil fuel companies invested 1/10th of their profits in electric vehicle technologies and infrastructure, we'd be mostly using electric vehicles by now? Digging for oil is relatively cheap and very profitable. Why change the course when they're making a killing? There is no incentive for Exxon to go green, because they won't be the ones to profit from it. The gas station infrastructure exists because most vehicles are gas powered... but that will change.

Power generators get built because of demand. Anyone can get a 220v charger installed in their home for an electric vehicle. No special charge stations required. Most people spend 95% of their time in the car within 15 miles from home. Electric vehicle batteries now lasts upward of 250 miles per charge. That's plenty to last a week without even charging once.

Why do you look at it as legislating against gas powered cars? I would look at it as legislating for future clean technologies that make us less dependent on fossil fuels and greedy corporations/foreign affairs. Heavy vehicles like construction equipment and trucks that need to carry heavy payloads will continue to operate on gas/diesel for a while longer than pedestrian vehicles. But most cars people own will not be gas powered in 2040.

[Honkey_Kong]

You don't think that if fossil fuel companies invested 1/10th of their profits in electric vehicle technologies and infrastructure, we'd be mostly using electric vehicles by now? Digging for oil is relatively cheap and very profitable. Why change the course when they're making a killing? There is no incentive for Exxon to go green, because they won't be the ones to profit from it. The gas station infrastructure exists because most vehicles are gas powered... but that will change.

Power generators get built because of demand. Anyone can get a 220v charger installed in their home for an electric vehicle. No special charge stations required. Most people spend 95% of their time in the car within 15 miles from home. Electric vehicle batteries now lasts upward of 250 miles per charge. That's plenty to last a week without even charging once.

Why do you look at it as legislating against gas powered cars? I would look at it as legislating for future clean technologies that make us less dependent on fossil fuels and greedy corporations/foreign affairs. Heavy vehicles like construction equipment and trucks that need to carry heavy payloads will continue to operate on gas/diesel for a while longer than pedestrian vehicles. But most cars people own will not be gas powered in 2040.

Power generators don't really get built as per demand. In fact, coal and nuclear power plants across the US have been shutting down, but the demand for electricity has risen. They can't even supply enough for our needs now while gasoline is still powering the cars. What do you think's going to happen when we add the energy demands that cars will bring to it? It's not like saying "oh we'll just make more power plants." Our entire system from plants to transmission lines has to be redone and we're talking trillions of dollars and many years of work. And that's not a problem, if while these mandates for more electric cars, there were bills being passed to update infrastructure and build more power plants. But that's not what's happening nor will it happen.

The fact of the matter is the eco-nazis don't want more power plants being built. They are very much aware that there isn't enough electricity to power these electric vehicles and that's the point. They want fewer cars on the road driving.

These "clean technologies" aren't even that green. Coal and oil plants make the bulk of the electricity generated. Not to mention the power that's lost through sending electricity through the grid. Those lines all have resistance.

[The Deadlifting Dog]

As for the rest of your sanctimonious psychobabble, ...

Hermann Goering's IQ was 138 (2 points from "Genius")

Unibomber Ted Kaczynski's is 167.

Rodney Alcala, the most sadistic serial killer in US history (and possibly most prolific, with 45 "probable" murders that couldn't be proved), has an IQ of 160.

Jeffrey Dahmer's IQ was 144.

Ted Bundy's IQ was 136, 4 points short of genius.

Charlene Gallego was a serial kidnapper, rapist and murderer. She's also a violin prodigy with an IQ of 160.

Daniel Gajdusek was a Nobel-Laureate with an IQ of 180. He also was a convicted child molester.

Nathan Leopold's IQ was 200+. His partner in crime, Richard Loeb had an IQ of 160. Thinking it would be a hoot to commit the "perfect crime," they kidnapped and murdered a 14-year-old boy. And it wasn't quite as perfect as they thought, 'cuz they got caught.

And that's just the short list.


So remind me again just how much progress all the intelligent people are bringing to the world?

This is some of the DUMBEST shit you have written...
Now wonder why you copy and paste so much.

So...
According to you....
Some really intelligent people killed other people so............
This means that intelligent people aren't causing any progress in the world.

Do you realize you are using a computer designed by smart people?
Do you realize that smart people invented 3D printing that allows for your beloved DIY guns?
Do you realize that smart people "cured" the smartest man in the world Mr. Donald Rump?
Do you realize that smart people provide the medicine that keep many old people alive?


Keep drinking the kool aid...

[wango]

I agree with a lot of the posts above. Yup, don’t trust Tesla at the moment, pushing them out a little too quick with limited quality control. We definitely don’t have the infra structure as that has been placed on the back burner. And generating the added electricity is a concern.

But I don’t see it as a left vs right issue. Solar powered technology is coming and wouldn’t it be nice if the USA were the leaders in that for the sake of future jobs? China has already kicked our ass with solar panels & are now they are partnering up with Volvo to pump out cheap electric SUV’s.

[Cuz]

I agree with a lot of the posts above. Yup, don’t trust Tesla at the moment, pushing them out a little too quick with limited quality control. We definitely don’t have the infra structure as that has been placed on the back burner. And generating the added electricity is a concern.

But I don’t see it as a left vs right issue. Solar powered technology is coming and wouldn’t it be nice if the USA were the leaders in that for the sake of future jobs? China has already kicked our ass with solar panels & are now they are partnering up with Volvo to pump out cheap electric SUV’s.

The left is all about climate change, we’re all gonna die bc the polar ice caps are melting because some guys that read and studied too much science classes say so. The EPA is a billion dollar scam...now dont get me wrong we need the EPA im for it, but diesel engine exhaust is not causing the polar ice caps to melt im sorry they will never convince me of that. I think there is alot of emphasis actually too much on climate change.
Think how many abortions are happening killing human lives and the left loves promoting that...and you want to tell me fucking climate change is going to affect my life? Hah no its not, ever.

Are electric cars cleaner , sure. I have no argument with that if you want one hell get one. Im just ranting on, not attacking your post im sure i come off that way but im not. I like the different opinions on things, hell it would be boring if we were all the same

[wango]

The left is all about climate change, we’re all gonna die bc the polar ice caps are melting because some guys that read and studied too much science classes say so. The EPA is a billion dollar scam...now dont get me wrong we need the EPA im for it, but diesel engine exhaust is not causing the polar ice caps to melt im sorry they will never convince me of that. I think there is alot of emphasis actually too much on climate change.
Think how many abortions are happening killing human lives and the left loves promoting that...and you want to tell me fucking climate change is going to affect my life? Hah no its not, ever.

Are electric cars cleaner , sure. I have no argument with that if you want one hell get one. Im just ranting on, not attacking your post im sure i come off that way but im not. I like the different opinions on things, hell it would be boring if we were all the same

I ain’t arguing with you at all and didn’t think you were. I’m just tired of hearing China this and China that. I don’t think a lot of global warming & climate change. My car gets 13 mpg. But I love our country and don’t want it to fall behind.

I just thought that it would be nice if we could corner this industry and be a world leader in it. Once I heard about Volvo and China, I got pissed. Not a fan of Tesla though.

[tarmyg]

So remind me again just how much progress all the intelligent people are bringing to the world?

At least we know which part of the gene pool you got with this post. Should probably quote Mark Twain again as at least he knew how to write.

[tarmyg]

Think ill pass on the bullshit electric/ eco friendly garbage the liberals love and keep my gas engine pick up truck

I have zero issue with this. Progress has to be adapted not forced on people.

[Cuz]

I have zero issue with this. Progress has to be adapted not forced on people.

Thanks boss. I think my little tacoma will pass California emissions right now, and thats saying something ...haha

[wango]

Chevy is going to start making crate electric engines available that can be fitted in non-electric cars. They’re starting with the Bolt’s, but are already are looking into performance oriented versions. Great move for restomods and keeping an eye on the future.

[wango]

No roof to fly off this . . . . .

[jstone]

i used to work for tesla, and im surprised this shit doesnt happen more often. if you see some of tbe stuff theyre willing to put in your vehicles that your paying a huge premium for it would shock you. i also worked doing quality control so i knew what the standards were for the product line i worked. quality control was literally non existent, and could change by the hour.

[Honkey_Kong]

i used to work for tesla, and im surprised this shit doesnt happen more often. if you see some of tbe stuff theyre willing to put in your vehicles that your paying a huge premium for it would shock you. i also worked doing quality control so i knew what the standards were for the product line i worked. quality control was literally non existent, and could change by the hour.

Isn't that becoming the normal across the board regardless of make now?

[Cuz]

Finding a quality product of any kind is not an easy task nowadays

[wango]

Or there is this little dinosaur . . .

[Honkey_Kong]

Finding a quality product of any kind is not an easy task nowadays

If they built a quality car that will run forever, once the market gets saturated, most of their market would be gone. So now they intentionally build cars to fall apart shortly after their warranty is up. And then they design the cars so to make fixing them so labor intensive and pricey that you'll be thinking "well this is nearly a down payment on a new car."

[Test Monsterone]

If they built a quality car that will run forever, once the market gets saturated, most of their market would be gone. So now they intentionally build cars to fall apart shortly after their warranty is up. And then they design the cars so to make fixing them so labor intensive and pricey that you'll be thinking "well this is nearly a down payment on a new car."

BMW lives by this.

[Mooseman33]

Tesla are great. Buy used and save.
I give a shit about going green, just like the car

biggest issue ever is if it gets damaged. Takes forever to get replacement parts to the body shop, they cant make this shit fastest enough.

we will never be electric cars only

[Honkey_Kong]

BMW lives by this.

LOL I was specifically thinking of them when I wrote that.

[wango]

Going on 9 years without issues. Guess it depends on the car.

But yes agree, after warrantee is up, maintenance can get pricey.

I still tip my hat to innovation & Tesla really heated up the electric wars. Other companies have moved slowly & can use their experience on everything but the electronic drive train. They have a distinct advantage.

I’ve seen a Tesla accelerate from a stop like no other street car and go about 150 feet in a blink of an eye & was floored. No way can other cars come up with that torque & launch like that. Sometimes you sacrifice performance and innovation for long term needs, depends on the buyer. Folks that want electric and better quality control can always buy a Nissan Leaf.

[Honkey_Kong]

Going on 9 years without issues. Guess it depends on the car.

But yes agree, after warrantee is up, maintenance can get pricey.

I still tip my hat to innovation & Tesla really heated up the electric wars. Other companies have moved slowly & can use their experience on everything but the electronic drive train. They have a distinct advantage.

I’ve seen a Tesla accelerate from a stop like no other street car and go about 150 feet in a blink of an eye & was floored. No way can other cars come up with that torque & launch like that. Sometimes you sacrifice performance and innovation for long term needs, depends on the buyer. Folks that want electric and better quality control can always buy a Nissan Leaf.

You think that's impressive, take a look at this:

[wango]

You think that's impressive, take a look at this:

Very nice ride, indeed impressive! I’ve seen Tesla’s with ludicrous mode (sub 3 second 0-60), smoke everything on the streets that we have out here. What that car did in that short of distance and is street legal, defied belief.