Some delivery info from Siry in TTAC article

doug · 04-17-2008, 01:04 PM

Tesla Birth Watch 44: Tesla Talks Transmission Troubles to TTAC | The Truth About Cars

The Article focuses on comments about the transmission, but I'm more interested in the production/delivery info.

Quote:

Siry also mentioned that he'll be in Monaco next week, showing production car number four before it's shipped to the states and placed in the loving arms of its more-than-patient owner. This led us to wonder: if car number four will be ready to show off next week, what happened to Tesla Roadsters two and three? Have they been delivered yet? If not, where are they in the pipeline? And how long before they'll be on the streets? Over to you, Daryl…

Siry respoinds:

Quote:

The second and third cars are in Hethel and will shortly be sent stateside for delivery, which will start in the coming weeks.
Some of the cars have custom work specified which adds a little to the process.
While the production schedule is regular, the deliveries in the states will occur more in batches because in the long term we will be shipping cars over in batches, not one at a time.
When they come over by ship the Journey is 6 weeks. We will choose to fly some cars over for various reasons.

doug · 04-17-2008, 01:37 PM

Interesting that Tesla is going to use a US customer's car (P4) for promotion in Europe when US customers have been waiting so long to get them. I wonder who's car that is.

I don't think waiting is necessarily bad. Delays are expected to happen. The problem as I see it is that Tesla has been holding customers' money for so long, interest free. I guess Tesla needs the cash at this point, given that they are now soliciting $60K from 2009 buyers and I guess will soon be taking money from European customers. This is fine as long as customers know what their getting in to. However, it's a little inconsistent in that at the beginning (back in 2006??), Tesla said they were reluctant to take customer money, but enthusiastic customers essentially forced them to.

At any rate, I'm excited to hear of some progress on the production line. Really eager to see some pictures.

Cobos · 04-17-2008, 02:01 PM

If I recall correctly the first cars were part of the Founder series, and thus it might be someone relatively internal to Tesla who drives or works with Roadster prototypes regularily and hence don't mind an extra week of wait, or Tesla simply payed the person enough money to rent the car for a week ?

Cobos

PS: Didn't see this thread before I answered in the other one.

doug · 04-17-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobos

I think the interesting thing Siry said was that the fourth car would be with him to Monaco next weekend. That means that if I can count Martins car should be finished and swimming across the atlantic onboard a ship (or possible waiting at some dock somewhere). And this means the rate is around 1-2 weeks per car atm.

Cobos

Daryl says some of the cars have "custom work." We know Martin's car has orange racing stripes. Not sure about any other custom stuff. Given that, it's hard to say how much longer it will be.

doug · 04-17-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobos

If I recall correctly the first cars were part of the Founder series, and thus it might be someone relatively internal to Tesla who drives or works with Roadster prototypes regularily and hence don't mind an extra week of wait, or Tesla simply payed the person enough money to rent the car for a week ?

That makes sense... I had forgotten about the Founders' series. Has it been published how many cars that includes and who gets them?
It's a bit ironic as the actual founders have since been forced out of the company.

vfx · 04-17-2008, 02:20 PM

You know the Tesla store here in LA is supposed to open this month. With 6 weeks to get cars here I guess it will be a one car (Elon's) showroom.

doug · 04-17-2008, 02:24 PM

Pretty sure the 6 weeks was if they're transported by boat. Pretty sure some of those first few will come by plane. Dunno what's the story with Martin's car.

donauker · 04-17-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

Interesting that Tesla is going to use a US customer's car (P4) for promotion in Europe when US customers have been waiting so long to get them. I wonder who's car that is.

Given that there will be 24 Founders Series cars reserved for investors, I would imagine that the owner of P4 would be very interested in promoting the car in Europe. If I had millions invested I think I would be willing to wait a few extra days in the interest of expanding the market. Who knows maybe the car will be flown back afterward and be here before the others.

donauker · 04-17-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

Pretty sure the 6 weeks was if they're transported by boat. Pretty sure some of those first few will come by plane. Dunno what's the story with Martin's car.

I have had the feeling that they would complete several cars prior to delivering #2. That way they can have a grand car delivery event without including Martin. Also it would seem that the custom paint job gives them a plausible reason to do so.

doug · 04-28-2008, 06:40 PM

Well, I assume this is VP4. EDIT: Apparently it's VIN F004 (P4?). Silver exterior.

Odd interior versus exterior color choice if you ask me. The seats/door panels look pretty awesome, though.

And now, with out further ado.... a close-up of Bono:

Tesla Motors - feel