A company that makes electric cars called Tesla used to be the best at making high-quality cars compared to other companies. But now, they are not doing as well because they changed some parts of their cars that people did not like very much. These changes made it harder for people to use things like turn signals and windshield wipers in Tesla cars. So, Tesla is not the best at making high-quality electric cars anymore. Read from source...

- The article is misleading by comparing BEVs and PHEVs with gas-powered vehicles. This comparison does not account for the different driving ranges, charging infrastructure, maintenance costs, environmental impacts of EVs versus ICEs. A fairer comparison would be between other EV brands only or within each category (BEVs, PHEVs).
- The article relies on J.D. Power's subjective and outdated methodology to measure quality. J.D. Power uses customer complaints as a proxy for quality, which does not reflect the actual performance, reliability, safety, or satisfaction of EVs. A more accurate approach would be to use independent tests, reviews, ratings, feedback from experts, owners, and users.
- The article presents the consultant's opinion as factual without providing any evidence, data, or sources. The consultant claims that Tesla lost its lead in quality because of the removal of traditional feature controls, but does not explain how this affected the customers' experience, preferences, or expectations. The consultant also does not address other factors that may have influenced Tesla's quality score, such as design changes, production issues, software updates, customer service, etc.
- The article uses emotional language and exaggerates the severity of the problem. For example, it says "Tesla owners are experiencing problems that are of a severity level high enough for them to take their new vehicle into the dealership at a rate three times higher than that of gas-powered vehicle owners." This implies that Tesla EVs have major defects or safety hazards, which is not supported by any facts or statistics. In reality, most of the problems reported by Tesla owners are minor and easily fixed, such as noises, glitches, or cosmetic issues. The article also implies that Tesla's design changes were a mistake or a failure, when in fact they were intended to improve the user interface, ergonomics, and aesthetics of the vehicles.

Negative

Explanation: The article states that Tesla has lost its lead in EV quality among peers due to the removal of traditional feature controls such as turn signals and wiper stalks. This is a negative development for Tesla as it indicates a decline in customer satisfaction and an increase in problem rates compared to gas-powered vehicles and other electric vehicles. The fact that Tesla's quality score is now equal to Rivian's also implies a loss of competitive advantage.

1. Buy TSLA stock as a long-term growth play on the EV market leader with strong brand loyalty and innovation capabilities. However, be aware of potential regulatory challenges, competition from Rivian and other legacy automakers, and customer dissatisfaction due to the removal of stalks for buttons feature.
2. Sell or avoid Rivian stock as it currently faces quality issues that may erode its market share and reputation in the EV industry. Additionally, Rivian may struggle to scale production and meet demand amid supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. However, if you believe in the long-term potential of the EV market and Rivian's technology, you could consider buying on dips with a high risk tolerance.
3. Consider investing in auto parts suppliers that cater to the EV industry, such as BorgWarner (BWA) or Aisin Seiki (7259.T), as they are likely to benefit from the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and the demand for advanced drivetrains and battery systems. However, be mindful of the cyclical nature of the auto industry and potential impacts of trade tensions and semiconductor shortages on their operations.