Hasta La Ideas

This Tesla-design-criticizing Tweet is making the rounds:

Okay, point taken: Blending the rear hatch into the bumper is a terrible idea from a damage/replacement cost standpoint. It was probably done to give the user the lowest-possible loading lip height.

However, we should point out that this design flaw, if we can call it that, is not unique to Tesla. Here’s the 2019 Chevy Blazer:

And the 2020 Mercedes EQC:

If we go back in time a bit, look at Acura’s 2013 design for the RDX:

Note that the 2020 redesign does away with the practice:

It seems that auto design staff who pay attention to things like insurance rates have a learning opportunity.