Why Tesla’s Stock is Dying

According to the magazine’s 2015 Auto Reliability Survey on more than 740,000 vehicles, the Model S sedan’s performance is not matched by its predicted reliability score:

Tesla’s Model S sedan got high marks in Consumer Reports’ 50-plus performance tests, but its predicted reliability is another matter. CR received about 1,400 survey responses from Model S owners who chronicled an array of detailed and complicated maladies. From that data, the Tesla Model S earns a worse-than-average predicted reliability score. The main problem areas are the drivetrain, power equipment, charging equipment, center console, and body and sunroof squeaks, rattles, and leaks.

When Consumer Reports conducted its performance tests on the $104,500 Tesla Model S P85D, the car’s total score exceeded a perfect 100. The car’s reliability score, however, is “worse than average” on the magazine’s rating scale and the base Model S also rings up a worse-than-average score.

It appears that Tesla stumbles over some of the things that bedevil other car makers. Problems with new electronic infotainment systems and new continuously variable transmissions torpedoed Honda in this year’s ratings and cars made by Ford, Nissan, Chrysler, and others have also stumbled over similar technological advances in the past.

The Lexus brand from Toyota was the top-ranked car in the reliability survey, followed by Toyota, and Volkswagen’s Audi brand. Mazda and Subaru closed out the top 5.

Tesla’s stock is down about 9.5% in the late afternoon on Tuesday at $206.12 in a 52-week range of $181.40 to $286.65.

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