What We Can Learn From Tesla’s Manufacturing Problems

If you were active on Twitter or paid attention to the news during mid- to late 2017 through 2018, you likely saw the problems with Tesla’s Model 3 manufacturing and distribution. Between Elon Musk’s eccentric behavior on social media to an almost non-existent customer service system, the Model 3 has had a rocky past, to say the least.

As a manufacturer yourself, seeing this story play out probably makes you glad that those issues aren’t happening to your business. Even though you may not be experiencing problems as severe as Tesla’s surrounding the Model 3, there are lessons you can learn from the company’s mistakes.

Here are some manufacturing tips that we’ve put together in light of Tesla’s manufacturing problems.

Plan Ahead

Elon Musk made big promises about the Model 3 that didn’t end up working out. It’s good to make big promises to your customers, but you need to plan ahead to make sure it happens.

Before you make any claims, no matter how big or small, you need to plan ahead. Work through all the possible issues with those promises, and include people in different departments of your business. Work through budgets, create a schedule and make all the necessary arrangements.

When you make claims that don’t end up coming true, your customers lose faith in you as a business. Tesla has a very dedicated customer base, but even the most committed among them faced delays in delivery, problems with their Model 3’s, and other issues. During your planning process, put yourself in the mindset of your customers to try to anticipate other issues and prevent them from happening.

Be Practical and Reasonable

While you’re planning, it’s important to keep your goals reasonable and practical. It’s fine to be ambitious, but it shouldn’t get in the way of anything. Elon Musk made big promises to Tesla’s customers that probably weren’t practical at all.

When a manufacturer’s leadership says something is going to happen, it needs to happen. Not meeting goals can lead to a loss of faith from your customers. Even if you do meet your goals, if you had to put extra stress on manufacturing workers and other employees, it wasn’t worth it.

If Tesla had set more reasonable goals for manufacturing the Model 3 since their manufacturing process was not ready, they would not have gotten into so many issues.

Don’t Neglect Other Business Areas

Meeting manufacturing goals is a key part of your business, but you should never sacrifice in other areas. Elon Musk was so focused on simply making the Model 3’s that he completely neglected the distribution and customer experience following delivery of the cars.

Your business doesn’t end with the final product coming out of production. You need to take care of your customers by providing information on your products, regardless of what you manufacture. Manufacturing is a complex process with a lot of moving parts — when any of those parts fall apart, the entire process stops being efficient.

During the manufacturing process, you should not have to worry about your machinery causing delays. If an issue does happen, Global Electronic Services is ready to fix any industrial equipment. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to speak with a technician.