In January 2021 Tesla announced the restyling of the Model S and Model X. As we know, the times for the start of production of these cars have then lengthened month after a month compared to the initial promises. The new Model S hit the market first in June and the Model X recently.
However, deliveries of the new electric SUV are progressing very slowly. To clear up the arrears of both new models, the American manufacturer had even decided to stop accepting new orders from markets outside the American one.
For the Model X, deliveries are going really slow, so much so that several users who ordered the new SUV a year ago received a communication from Tesla that speaks generically of delivery in the second quarter of 2022. For new orders (in America).
The estimated delivery times are October 2022 for the Plaid variant and even January 2023 for the “standard” version. Obviously, these delays have started to get users talking a lot. Precisely for this reason, Elon Musk intervened admitting Tesla’s responsibilities.
It all started with Sawyer Merritt who, through his Twitter account, pointed the finger straight at Tesla and how he managed the launch of the Model X very badly. In particular, the lack of communication between the manufacturer and its customers is criticized.
Elon Musk’s response was not long in coming. The CEO admits that the time to production of the new electric SUV has been miscalculated. Furthermore, he admits that it was wrong to stop production of the previous model in December 2020 when there was still demand.
Here’s a criticism, the refreshed Model X rollout has been horrible & the lack of communication to customers who have been waiting for a year or more for their car & keep receiving delays is disappointing. I know the global supply situation is f**ked, but some comm would be nice.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 9, 2022
But the discussion between the two did not stop there. Sawyer Merritt, appreciating Musk’s response, then asked when production could go up and running in order to meet the demand for the new Model X. Tesla’s number one explained that the electric SUV is very difficult to build. The biggest problems, specifically, would concern the interiors.
Certainly, the statements of Elon Musk are appreciable, but it is a pity that he has not answered the most important question and that is when the production of the Model X will go up and running. A question that many Tesla customers would like an answer to as they have been waiting for their new car for a very long time.
In short, Elon Musk admitted that mistakes have been made and that there are difficulties with the new Model X. What, however, we really need to understand, is when Tesla will be able to overcome these problems.
Really appreciate the response and the transparency! New X is a great vehicle. Any idea when ramp might smoothen out and catch up with demand? I know there’s some stuff not under your control (supply chain issues/shortages for example).
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) February 9, 2022