Build quality of Tesla vehicles is least to say disturbing. The Internet is overflowing with photographs exposing gaps between panels, off-center doors and tailgates and more. Haters thrive. However, there is a bigger picture that most of us are missing. Today I will explain what that is.

An electric car or 8 cylinder GT?

Let me put something out of the way first. Electric vehicles are entirely out of my scope of interests. While the world is moving towards the battery-powered automobiles, I paddle against the current. More cylinders and more power define my driving experience.

However, for most of us, the car is merely a mean of transport. It drives us from A to B. It is natural that fuel efficiency, running costs and reliability are more important than the sound of the exhaust or acceleration from 0 to 60mhp.

The electric vehicle it is.

With the introduction of Tesla Model S, Elon Musk brought the first high-performance electric vehicle to the market. Days of poor range and standard spec have ended. Finally, the enthusiasts of “zero emissions” (environmentalist dare I say) and “petrol heads” (some of them at least) could speak the same language.

When Tesla has started to sell the internet exploded.

Performance of new Model S has blown the hats off. Incredible drivetrain and decent range could no longer be questioned. And then the looks. No more embarrassment for the owners of an eco-friendly, electric automobile.

But it all came at the price. The overall build quality was far from the standards set across the automotive industry. There is no way to sugarcoat it. The gap between the two panels is a gap between the two panels. Period. Would you buy a Merc or BMW that exhibited similar issues? I wouldn’t.

The first iPhone was great – it didn’t work

The first mobile phone from Apple looked great and was full of innovation. The “only” issue was a poorly designed (positioned) antenna that prevented users from making phone calls! Fast forward to today, and no one remembers that. Apple is leading the game in the smartphone market.

Tesla made the decision – deliver to the market and iron out the issues later. Sound crazy for a car manufacturer doesn’t it? I think they were right though.

The right balance between quality and technological progress

Tesla’s approach to new product introduction is a dictionary example of a compromise between quality and speed to market. Yes, the product is not ideal, but it’s there. It may be heavily criticised but how many of you are waiting for the updated model? History of the iPhone failure reincarnated in the body of an electric car.

Quality is not always black or white. Stopping product from release may satisfy the quality manager’s ego, but it won’t do any good for the business. It would be a different story if the issues exhibited by Teslas were safety related. There would be no excuse.

The mindset of quality professionals has been put to the test once again.

The development rate of new products has never been so high. We have to adapt. Those who won’t comply will be left behind. Today business needs quality professionals who understand marketing, company strategy, finance and more. It’s an opportunity for managers and engineers who look after products to step up a level and support the business in a broader sense. Ability to see the bigger picture and courage to compromise for the sake of technological progress is in demand.

I want to hear from you. What was the most difficult decision you had to make for a new product to be released to market in time? Share your experience using the comments box below.