Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently announced that the electric carmaker would offer the option for mobile auto repair. This includes not only services for things like replacing a tire – something typically referred to as roadside assistance, but also bodywork repair, all as part of Tesla’s mobile service fleet.
“I’m actually really excited about our mobile service,” Musk said during the 2019 Tesla Annual Shareholders Meeting last week. “We have mobile service vans that will come fix your car as soon as it breaks down. We’ll immediately send a note to Tesla mobile service and it will be on its way to fix the car.”
Telsa Model Y
It’s believed Musk’s “note” comment is a reference to an automatic notification sent to the electric car maker’s mobile service center via the car’s onboard sensors.
Tesla’s new mobile repair services are already underway. “We trialed it in the Bay Area and have now extended it to the LA area and a number of others for tire repair.”
Here’s how the process works: after the Tesla mobile services center receives notification that a vehicle requires a certain fix, a van is sent to the vehicle’s location, where a technician proceeds with the auto repair. This makes for extremely speedy repair times. For example, Musk says a new tire can be installed in as little as half an hour, all without making an appointment with a third-party repair shop.
In addition, Tesla will offer ‘bumper repair” and “minor collision repair” through mobile services, with the California-based automaker moving much of its body repair work in-house. In fact, Musk says that Tesla just performed its first mobile bumper replacement. “Typically, collision repair can take weeks or months. In this case, it took less than an hour.”
The entirety of the two-hour shareholder’s meeting is available below, and Musk’s comments regarding mobile auto repair start at around the 56-minute mark.
Obviously, General Motors handles its business in an entirely different fashion, relying on dealers to sell its vehicles to customers and then service them. But does the idea of a mobile fleet capable of minor auto repair (such as bumper repair and/or replacement), along with the batch of currently available roadside services, hold any water? You tell us in the comments.
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Comments
No easy answer because its GM corp vs franchise dealerships…The easiest way for GM to implement this to its dealers is to offer an opt-in mobile service pilot program to say 50 dealerships with program requirements…Have GM corp trainers come to the dealership to provide the training and offer incentives and/or at least partical reimbursement for the programs startup costs…
How can Tesla offer such remote service in countries and territories where none exist? Will the mobile service travel by plane, bringing all the tools with him? And how about parts?
This is why Tesla sells very little outside of the U.S except where they has established service centers, which does follow the classical automakers’ system. Even the South Korean brands offer local dealerships and service centers everywhere.
I like the Tesla Model S but without local service for such a complex vehicle (DIYers cannot afford to), I will never buy a Model S.
Tesla and the article make it pretty clear its extremely limited…“We trialed it in the Bay Area and have now extended it to the LA area and a number of others for tire repair.”…
I’ll add some datapoints…
1. Bumper replacement in an hour almost sounds magical but with various paint textures and finish, there must be an appointment (possibly mobile) days before the actual bumper install to assess the damage and determine the correct point shade/finish…
2. It’s somewhat rare that a bumper needs to be replaced vs repaired and no other parts are in need of repair such as the front or rear fenders…
3. Unless you backed into a pole, most of the time you’ll want to go through insurance which can take days…Will this be covered under insurance?
Outdoor repairs aren’t very practical in the snow belt. Unless the car can be driven inside the van, I don’t see this working.
It’s a great idea in theory but how can you work on a car in the pouring rain? Let alone in the brutal cold with snow on the ground.
I am following a segment on TFL car about their Model 3. The car was damaged by backing up into their garage. Nothing major. 3 Months down the line, the body shop is still waiting for parts. That on a car belonging to an online motoring group with 800 000 plus subscribers. They have even contacted Tesla themselves to no avail. Mr Musk doing his PR magic again?
Oh wow! Can mobile auto repair REALLY become a thing? I would be ecstatic! I wouldn’t have to figure out when I could take my car in for repairs…the mechanic could come to ME. I adore this idea. http://www.ShiffletAutoCare.com
I have only dreamed of a time when mobile car repair could become a thing! Since Tesla has made it a reality, I can only imagine that it will eventually happen with all car dealerships. It may even become something that car repair shops start experimenting with for the sake of growth within their business. Whatever the case, I like the idea. http://www.ShiffletAutoCare.com
In this generation of people wanting everything to come to them, mobile auto repair may become necessary. However, there will likely be many kinds of limitations. The best option, for the car owner and mechanics comfort, will probably always be to go into the auto shop to have all auto repairs performed. http://www.ShiffletAutoCare.com
This sounds like something that GM should really consider. Tesla is an innovative and thought provoking car company. They appear to really know what people want and need. Auto repair technicians coming to us for auto repairs would be awesome! http://www.ShiffletAutoCare.com
Auto repair is evolving and Tesla seems to be at the forefront. Once we all see how it goes, we in the auto repair industry may decide to follow suit. People seem to like having things come to them so this will likely be a big hit. http://www.ShiffletAutoCare.com
As I sit drinking my morning coffee in Northern Illinois, it is 13 degree’s outside. You really eager to work on someone’s car in the driveway? Take it from me, working outside, without a hoist isn’t fun.
Auto repair is a challenging feat. Tesla offering mobile services in ingenious. But it is true, there are areas where the climate may not cooperate with the work being performed. Perhaps Tesla has other ideas up their sleeve? http://www.ShiffletAutoCare.com
Mobile auto repair definitely sounds like a good idea. But there is so much to take into consideration before just diving in. Elon Musk is an innovator and the addition of this convenience will likely appeal to his car buyers. Others are probably observing from afar just to see how it goes. http://www.ShiffletAutoCare.com