- Sandy Munro is one of the world’s leading automotive benchmarking experts.
- He compared the early Tesla Model 3 to ‘a Kia in the ‘90s.’
- Munro is pleased with the initial hoist analysis of Model 3.
A new Model 3 is now available to Sandy Munro. The production expert who once said an early Tesla Model 3 had fit and finish problems close to “a Kia in the ’90s.” Once again, Munro gave his company a new vehicle, and while he didn’t equate it to the Korean economy car of three decades earlier, he wasn’t thrilled by the shortcomings he had found.
Tesla has learned a lot since the Model 3 came on the scene a few years ago, building a more successful unibody structure and cleaning up some lazy fit-and-finish issues. That’s also the case with the new Model 3, although some problems with fitment remain.
Munro’s response to the latest Model 3
He is also mostly pleased with Munro’s initial hoist analysis of the 3, pointing out how Tesla saved money by cutting fasteners and modifying suspension components (which seem well assembled, Munro notes). Under the rear cargo area, there is an access cover that seems superfluous and like a waste of money, but otherwise, Munro seemed satisfied.
One of the world’s leading experts in automotive benchmarking claims that the current Model 3 is an upgrade over the one with Kia-like defects in the 1990s. That’s fine, and Tesla should be congratulated, but also urged to continue to tweak their system until their fit and finish can compete in the price class with other vehicles.
Niedermeyer’s criticism of Tesla
Auto journalist Ed Niedermeyer replied to Sawyer Merritt, a self-proclaimed Tesla investor, who pointed out the admission of Sandy Munro. Niedermeyer seemed appalled, putting the objectivity of Munro into question. Because of the rising, entirely favorable online echo chamber that seems to suffocate dissenting voices. The lack of critical coverage or discussion of Tesla worries Niedermeyer.
Niedermeyer has written a book that addresses Tesla’s stock prices extensively. He says that his real concern is not with Munro. But, it is with the bizarre way that Tesla supporters instinctively believe the benchmarking expert without worrying about themselves.
While he admits that in the tweets he was a little disrespectful to Munro, Niedermeyer makes some interesting points. Tesla fans are mostly blind brand followers. They lack critical thought to glorify what is, in fact, an amazing but imperfect business. It makes impressive but imperfect cars and makes many questionable choices. The author has concerns about Munro’s lack of transparency about his stocks. He also has concerns about whether this echo chamber is real. Munro does not think of himself as a journalist. He is one of the most influential YouTubers, and he probably has more influence than he thinks.
