Email to: All Tesla Model X Reservation Holders
Subject: Delivery Delays
We acknowledge and empathize with your frustration over waiting up to a year or longer for delivery of your new Refreshed Model X. Many of you have waited far too long. Our sincere apology for the delays; please know we at Tesla share your frustration and are doing everything in our power to get your new Model X to you as soon as possible. Many have queried us as to the reason for the long lead time between your order date and actual delivery. The answer is complex, but we'll try to explain.
(what follows is total conjecture/guessing)
The original production schedule targeted late February 2021 to start Refreshed Model X production. Frankly, we were overly optimistic on the start up date. During production run trials we discovered several stations on the assembly line, particularly those equipped with robots, were not performing up to our quality specifications. It took two months of tinkering and retooling to work out those kinks.
Then we encountered supply chain issues as has affected manufacturing around the world mostly due to the COVID pandemic. Tesla is one of the most vertically integrated Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) on earth, meaning we make as many of the parts that go into our cars in house as possible to reduce dependence on outside suppliers. Even so, we can't make every part that goes into complex machinery like a Model X. Everyone has heard about the semiconductor shortage where several factories were shut down to attempt to deal with COVID outbreaks. Tesla was able to negotiate around the semiconductor shortage better than most auto OEMs by using different kinds of chips we programmed in house, but Model X production was still affected. That was just the start of it. Here is a sample of some of the other problems encountered:
— The blizzard that hit Texas last winter along with a hurricane damaged and delayed production at two of the leading foam manufacturing plants in the U.S. Foam has many uses; in vehicles like your Model X it is primarily employed in seats. Production delays, though temporary, created a chain effect where all automakers, plus manufacturers of hundreds of other products were forced to find new supplies.
— All automakers use rubber strips on the edge of windows for sealing and soundproofing. Factory shutdowns in Asia caused a shortage of rubber trim. Other shortages from audio speakers to the wood paneling that goes into the interior cabin. Name the part and there were probably ordering and delivery delays.
Early this year, we discovered that side airbags in the front seat were not deploying and inflating properly during a crash when the driver or passenger window as not fully closed. The fix requires a new airbag and reprogramming of the central computer. To make it even more frustrating, the new airbags did not arrive on schedule due to the lockdown of the factory in Shanghai due to another COVID outbreak.
We will get all this worked out. That is a promise. Our third party suppliers are moving heaven and earth to supply Tesla with the parts we need to make the quality Model X you ordered and deserve, but even they are dealing with delays from their suppliers.
Again, our sincere apologies, and more than a little cursing echoing what you're doing. We know it's hard, but please have a little more patience. the Refreshed Model X is a fantastic car that you will love. Overall, supply chain conditions are improving. We will get your new Model X the moment we can. And thank you for joining the mission to move the world to sustainable transportation and for choosing Tesla. We couldn't do it without you.
Sincerely
Tesla Muckety Muck
(Would sending out a blanket email like that help? It's not hard to do.)