Tesla Inc. sank in Consumer Reports’ latest auto brand rankings, outshone by mainstream models produced by Mazda Motor Corp.
The U.S. maker of electric cars dropped five spots from last year’s report to rank No. 16 — the middle of the pack — in the closely watched annual assessment based on road tests, reliability data, owner satisfaction surveys and safety performance.
While Tesla scored well on customer satisfaction and road testing, its vehicles were less reliable than others, according to Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing for the magazine based in Yonkers, New York.