Maybe Tesla’s new slogan should be: “We make it cheaper using bargain bin wood trim instead of costly tooling up.” How else can you explain this piece of fake wood trim corner molding being used to shim or otherwise hold this part? That, and a strap used for industrial bundling holding it all together. You know, like those metal straps used for crates? No sense in tooling up a bracket or mounting system for the new Model Y sedan when you can start using fake wood corner molding for the cooling system on your Tesla.

This is the setup on a Tesla Model Y

This is the setup on a Tesla Motors Club forum member’s Model Y. How it was discovered is pretty sad, too. The new owner of this Model Y decided to take apart the front sheetmetal to fix the lousy panel fit. Once he had all of the front clip off he noticed this crude mounting for the Model Y’s liquid-cooled condenser. 

The Liquid Cooled Condenser is used to cool down parts of the cooling system. It is part of a much larger system of cooling used for the cabin, battery, and drive unit. It is obviously strapped into place and these fake wood trim pieces add some protection from the crude strapping system. They also give a bit of protection to the condenser from bumps and jolts of everyday driving.

Is this what you would expect to see in a $55,000 car?

What’s weird-besides using pieces of fake wood trim in a $55,000 Tesla, is that early versions of the Model Y used clear plastic pieces that appear more component-like. If there even is a thing like being “component-like?” In other words, they look more like what you would expect to find being used in a car. Like they were specially made and come with a part number. The condenser is still package-strapped into place, however.

Some may find this all to be genius and maybe it is but it looks cheap and crude. And that is the last thing Tesla needs to be compared to. Of course, none of this is supposed to be seen. It is only due to this forum member wanting his expensive Tesla to have a better panel fit that the ugly truth has now been exposed. 

Should Tesla adapt home improvement fake wood trim pieces for use in a car?

Should it be perfectly fine to adapt crap from a home improvement store for use in a car? How long is that cheap piece of plastic trim expected to live with all of the cold/hot cycling cars go through? If those spacers fail that will loosen up the condenser enough to start moving around on those sharp, cheap straps. Should owners expect that their cars are devoid of improvised components made from cheap plastic trim? What do you think?