Tesla vs Toyota: EV vs ICE Repair Process

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Just to clarify, when you say third-party, do you mean Tesla-certified third-party?

If you're a Tesla certified shop, you're not a Tesla owned and operated shop. That's the biggest difference. As a Tesla third-party shop, you will have access to toolbox tools. However, you won't be able to remote start vehicles or use a garage tool to remotely access the vehicle for diagnostics or location purposes. Tesla hasn't released that capability, and I don't think they ever will. I brought it up, and there don't seem to be any plans for it due to security concerns. They want to keep it as tightly controlled as possible. There are different levels and tiers of access for Tesla employees, especially for locating vehicles, due to privacy concerns.

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So I find the list. What's in it for me to go to a third-party Tesla-certified shop versus a Tesla-owned repair shop?

The majority of Tesla owners prefer going to a Tesla-owned facility. The main reason to go to a third-party shop is availability. There aren't enough Tesla-owned shops, and they often have a backlog of up to three months. The shops themselves will recommend third-party options because of this. They'll tell you, "Your next appointment is two months from now, but you could go to such and such body shop." These third-party shops are certified and have undergone the necessary training. The customer experience is generally better at a Tesla facility than at a third-party shop.

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So you said most people would want to go to a Tesla-owned shop. When you say most, what's the percentage? Is it like 60 or 90?

There's definitely not enough centers out there. I can tell you from where I'm at now, from one of the largest insurers in the state, they flat out told us if we become Tesla certified, it would be like opening the floodgates. It's a daily conversation with the largest insurer in the state. They don't know where to send these vehicles because there aren't enough certified centers, and there are only five Tesla-owned shops in the state.

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