Tesla CEO Elon Musk to Fix Braking Issues Found on Model 3

In the middle of Tesla’s ongoing production of the mass-market Model 3 sedan, Consumer Reports have recently revealed that the Model 3 braking test showed a stopping distance average of 152-feet from 60 mph. According to Consumer Reports, it was the worse seen in any contemporary car which they have tested which is around 7 feet longer than the stopping distance of a Ford F-150 full size pickup. 

Consumer Reports magazine also added that it was able to let the brakes cool down in between tests but was not able to successfully get a decent stopping distance during its first try. The tests involved a test driver using the car by as much as 60 mph before hitting on the brakes until the vehicle fully stops.

While Tesla’s claims states that the average stopping distance is shorter by 20 feet, Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk responded that a upgraded as well as a fix would be given to Model 3 owners should an issue is found.

This statement is followed later by another update from Musk stating that the Model 3 braking issues have been isolated to calibration of the anti-lock braking system. Musk then promised a firmware update in the coming days as a solution. Musk also concluded in a tweet that the company would not stop until the vehicle exhibits a better braking than any remotely comparable car.

According to Musk, Tesla engineers have attributed the poor braking performance of the Model 3 to the tests held by Consumer Reports to calibration issues with the braking control system of the Model 3. Musk also added in a follow up email that his engineer team is validating changes to the braking system this week should it go well. The company is also planning to send over the air updates to its Model 3 fleet this weekend.

A number of improvements has already been deployed according to Musk with several improvements to the later-production of the Model 3. The improvement or update may also address the ride quality as well as concerns on wind noise which was raised by Consumer Reports regarding the Model 3. Consumer Reports magazine have recently responded that the Model 3 would be tested again once the update for their Model 3 has been sent.

Model 3 Sale Update

Registrations of Tesla vehicles have reportedly hit 7,530 during the quarter representing a growth of 58.6% from the same period a year ago. This growth is attributed by analysts to the release and popularity of Tesla’s mass market Model 3 vehicle.

The vehicle which has a starting price of $35,000 and may hit as much as $80,000 depending on specifications and additionals is Tesla’s very first mid-price electric vehicle. The company faced various concerns regarding their production and delivery of the vehicle since its official release last year and have missed various estimates since the last couple of quarters pushing its shares down below $300.

However, Tesla was able to see a pickup on its Model 3 production since late last month when an internal report revealed that Tesla have hit a production rate of 2,270 Model 3 vehicles by the end of April with targets to produce as much as 3,500 vehicles. While this is lower than its initial target of producing around 5,000 vehicles during the period, the improvement pushed Tesla shares higher even trading above $300 per share. Tesla is currently extending its efforts in boosting their overall production.

See also: Tesla Model 3 Production to Rise Despite Six-Day Shutdown

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