Tesla, the most valuable automaker in the world (according to data from Statista), appears to have had an official forum for people to discuss the company's ventures since around 2015. Well, that forum won't be around for much longer.
Get Social With Tesla
Tesla is shutting down its forums on March 15, and in its place, the company has launched a new social platform called the “Tesla Engagement Platform." The microsite is aimed at owners and fans of the Tesla brand, and already has a small handful of posts up.
The platform's introduction reads as follows:
Engage Tesla is a new platform for both Tesla's public policy team and Tesla Owner's Clubs. Its goal is to create a digital home base for all of our work, and make it easier for Tesla community members to learn what's top of mind for us, take meaningful action, and stay in the loop. We hope you'll join us in getting involved.
On the Tesla Engagement Platform, you can comment on posts, and (just like Facebook) “like” what others write. You can also follow individual accounts to keep tabs on the comments of specific users.
That's honestly more or less where the "social" part ends at the moment. There aren't any messaging features, status updates, nor photo-sharing functions, but it's not as if Tesla is trying to give any of the social media giants a fun for their money. The company just wants to keep its customers in the loop, and maybe even listen to feedback.
If you've been on the Tesla forums, you likely view the new social platform as a big upgrade. There are lots of spaces on the internet dedicated to talking about Tesla and its products, but unfortunately, Tesla's own message board was a unmoderated disaster.
While you could go to the official Tesla forum to discuss all things Tesla with owners and interested buyers from all over, there were just as many trolls and spam posters as there were enthusiasts.
That said, not everyone is satisfied with the change. Some users have come out to say that the Tesla Engagement Platform isn't a satisfactory replacement because of its limited features.
One of the most "liked" comments on the platform right now is by user bradbomb, who urges Tesla to not shut down its forums because—with exception of the trolls on it—the place "brought about informed discussion to help fellow owners with issues."
If you're disappointed that the Tesla forums are shutting down, perhaps consider using one of these free bulletin boards to set up your own forum.
Tesla Encourages You To Move to Its New Platform
This week, a notice appeared at the top of the Tesla forums telling users that the forums will soon become read-only. The notice says, “To continue the conversation with the Tesla community, visit engage.tesla.com."
Despite this ever-growing thread of Tesla forum users mourning their loss, it doesn't look like Tesla will go back on their word. Long live the Tesla Engagement Platform, as its processor is officially dead.
