The most important feature of the Teslas, in my opinion, is safety. If I had to choose between a Bolt and a Model 3 -- poor safety ratings would have been a deciding factor.
Also, I hope it can't be "benchmark-optimized" like in web browsers.
Also, I hope it can't be "benchmark-optimized" like in web browsers.
I don't think crash test safety can be "benchmark-optimized" per se; outside companies do the testing and the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. However, there may be vehicle incidents that would not be covered by safety or crash tests. The safety dollars go to mitigating incidents with the highest rate of fatalities.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology_of_motor_vehicle_...
Disclaimer: I work for GM, but not on this product. Any opinions are my own.
It is really great that Tesla has prioritized safety.
They do have a few things going for them that other OEMs don't:
* Only two models in production, both of which are on the same architecture. (soon to be three)
* No history of failure:
- GM's X-frame
- Really bad seatbelts: Nearly everyone until the 1980s
- Chevy Corvair (Thanks Nader!) [1]
- Pintos catching on fire
- Audi 5000 unintended acceleration in the 1980s
- Pontiac Fieros catching on fire
- Ford Explorers rolling over
- GM's key switch issue
- Toyota's unintended acceleration
Tesla has learned all of those lessons and that's great. Most other OEMs have also learned those lessons, and that's great too!
1. Nader has been credited with pushing for consumer safety generally and vehicle safety specifically.
Disclaimer: again, all opinions are solely my own.
In 2005 Renault achieved the first-ever Euro NCAP five-star rating across all the models in its range. Even the smallest hatchback Clio.
Ford did this with the 2015 Ford F-150: http://blog.caranddriver.com/iihs-2015-ford-f-150-crash-test...
"""[…] the SuperCrew’s body cage remained “largely intact” with a “low risk of injuries,” the group said. The smaller F-150 SuperCab pickup (pictured at top) scored “marginal” due to “significant intrusion” of the passenger cabin, as the dashboard and steering wheel came “dangerously close” to the dummy’s chest. Since the A-pillars buckled and other body components “seriously compromised the driver’s survival space,” the IIHS rated this F-150’s structure as “poor,” which is below “marginal” and the group’s worst rating."""
Nitpick: Proofs are not in the pudding, unless you placed them there. The manner of speaking is "the proof of the pudding is in the eating". That way it actually makes some sense, too.