EU finalize and deliveries

[mkuendig]

Did they call you or did you call them?

I got information in early June that 30 days before the delivery I will get a call from the delivery manager. I did not get the call so reached out to them, first to Tesla Store, than to European people. Quickly after I got a call from delivery specialist in Switzerland.

- - - Updated - - -

US chargers don't have support for 3-phase, so yes, they are different in a quite significant way. Based on remarks from Elon, e.g., in Oslo earlier this year, it seems that EU chargers have been developed more or less from scratch, and that they are even more efficient than the US chargers.

One of the fundamental principles though is that chargers can be stacked, i.e., "a twin charger" is in fact a set of two identical chargers. The same applies to the superchargers: They basically consist of 12 of the same chargers stacked on top of each other. This makes production relatively simple and scalable (read: cheap). So if they are short on twin chargers, it basically means they are short on chargers in general. Given the choice of equipping cars with twin chargers and delivering fewer cars, our putting a single charger into all cars and delivering more in the same time frame, they seem to decide for the latter. I have no doubt that they will retrofit that second charger for customers who ordered them (which includes myself) as soon as supply catches up.

I wonder how this affects the rate at which superchargers are installed in Europe... I don't have indication whether European superchargers are based on single phase chargers or three phase chargers, and if the shortage applies to all chargers or to three phase chargers only.

Not quite sure if that is correct Volker. I have heard from a colleague that recently visited a service center that they told him that they had technical problems to get twin chargers working with 3-phase support. At least in that service center they had plenty of twin chargers lying around.

 

[Volker.Berlin]

Not quite sure if that is correct Volker. I have heard from a colleague that recently visited a service center that they told him that they had technical problems to get twin chargers working with 3-phase support. At least in that service center they had plenty of twin chargers lying around.

Seems reasonable to me. Thank you for that additional bit of information! Which service center was it?

 

[mkuendig]

Seems reasonable to me. Thank you for that additional bit of information! Which service center was it?

According to that colleague it was in Winterthur.

Actually for me I really like the car and I really wait for it. But all these delays, bad communication and now missing twin charger lowers my enthusiasm on Tesla quite a bit. They severely need to fix their communication towards customers.

I know it is difficult to deal with enthusiasts that are so well connected, but the marketing effect they get out of this is amazing. I'm extremely well connected in the social world (>20 posts on FB about Tesla), work with many high net clients and have made a lot of marketing for Tesla. I'm pretty sure that at least 5 colleagues of mine are looking in to buying ModelS because I told them so many great things about it. But Tesla really needs to get better in fulfilling their promises. The modelS is my 6th car that I buy brand new. Never had any such issues with Mercedes or Alfa during the buying process.

 

[Volker.Berlin]

Actually for me I really like the car and I really wait for it. But all these delays, bad communication and now missing twin charger lowers my enthusiasm on Tesla quite a bit. [...] The modelS is my 6th car that I buy brand new. Never had any such issues with Mercedes or Alfa during the buying process.

How many cars had Mercedes or Alfa built before they built yours? How long had they been in the particular market before you went in to purchase a car from them? This is getting old but I repeat it again: Tesla has built less than 20k cars in total. They started serial production of the Model S just one year ago, with something like one car per week. The have come a long way to produce more than 400 cars per week now. As of today, they have not sold a single EU-spec car. Now relax and cut them some slack. (You can as well fret about the status quo if you prefer but it won't change a thing).

Fast forward just one year: All of this will be distant past and buying a Tesla will still be a fundamentally different experience than buying a Mercedes or an Alfa -- but it will be just as smooth and pleasing if not better. Keep in mind that you decided you want to buy a Tesla in the worst possible moment. You went in for the adventure to be one of their very first customers. You bought a product that didn't even exist when you reserved -- 3-phase chargers specifically. What exactly did you expect?

 

[mkuendig]

How many cars had Mercedes or Alfa built before they built yours? How long had they been in the particular market before you went in to purchase a car from them? This is getting old but I repeat it again: Tesla has built less than 20k cars in total. They started serial production of the Model S just one year ago, with something like one car per week. The have come a long way to produce more than 400 cars per week now. As of today, they have not sold a single EU-spec car. Now relax and cut them some slack. (You can as well fret about the status quo if you prefer but it won't change a thing).

Fast forward just one year: All of this will be distant past and buying a Tesla will still be a fundamentally different experience than buying a Mercedes or an Alfa -- but it will be just as smooth and pleasing if not better. Keep in mind that you decided you want to buy a Tesla in the worst possible moment. You went in for the adventure to be one of their very first customers. You bought a product that didn't even exist when you reserved -- 3-phase chargers specifically. What exactly did you expect?

When I buy a car that costs so much (134k CHF) I expect a service that is on par or better. So far, I have paid a lot of cash upfront with the risk that Tesla gets bankrupt and I loose 40k. Elon always says that he wants to change the car world (product and service). They are producing a great car, but so far their service that I experience sucks. I work in sales and have to keep my clients happy. I can just say, I expected more and that expectation has not been fulfilled yet. I talked to many other reservation holders and yes, many of them are not happy either. Tesla knew that there are delays. Just communicate them. Telsa knew that there are no Twin-Chargers. Nobody told us. (I have gobbled up another 5k CHF to install a Type-2 adapter at home. Now I can't use it for another 5 months. And we have lots of Type-2 Chargers in Switzerland. They are useless for me as well until twin chargers are installed. And yes long-distance planning gets much more difficult)

Anyway, the car will be great and I know that the delivery issues will be put behind us hopefully pretty soon.

 

[Right_Said_Fred]

I do get a bit tired of hearing the argument of cutting Tesla some slack. Maybe fans will cut their idol some slack, but 'regular customers' often do not. Tesla cannot survive on fans alone. It needs to make inroads with mainstream customers to do that. So therefore it has to deliver what it promises and it has to communicate if for some legitimate reason it cannot meet those promises (not just delayed deliveries, but also things like delayed supercharger-rollout, which is currently frustrating US customers).

As fans we SHOULD NOT be cutting Tesla slack, we should be giving Tesla a hard time. We should let them know they have to work even harder and improve on some things. To keep the company sharp, focussed and customer oriented (not just stock market oriented). If we cut them slack, we are not doing them a favor.

 

[Volker.Berlin]

As fans we SHOULD NOT be cutting Tesla slack, we should be giving Tesla a hard time. We should let them know they have to work even harder and improve on some things. To keep the company sharp, focussed and customer oriented (not just stock market oriented). If we cut them slack, we are not doing them a favor.

I agree with the gist of what you're saying. However, I'm sure they have a hard time already and I'm not worried at all that they are taking things too easy. As long as I see progress happening -- last thing I heard is that European customers actually get called to fix actual delivery dates -- I don't see why I should make things even more difficult for them than they already are.

 

[toms]

I got today delivery date on 23. August. Bad thing is no twin chargers available. will come end of the year. not a happy camper here.

After calling the European representatives, I got a delivery date in the week of August 13th. Next week I should get a call from the delivery specialist.
I asked about twin chargers and she laughed and said, there is no problem with twin chargers and that my car will be delivered with a twin charger. Hmmm... Hope she is right!

 

[maxbafh]

After calling the European representatives, I got a delivery date in the week of August 13th. Next week I should get a call from the delivery specialist.
I asked about twin chargers and she laughed and said, there is no problem with twin chargers and that my car will be delivered with a twin charger. Hmmm... Hope she is right!

Sounds not bad. Great news for you. Still waiting for mine to be build even though it is a signature.

 

[psirnes]

Finally got the call this afternoon. Delivery appointment Aug 28th at the Tesla Center in Oslo. Home delivery was not discussed. EU sig #52 VIN S14940

 

[Right_Said_Fred]

Sounds not bad. Great news for you. Still waiting for mine to be build even though it is a signature.

Your Sig will probably be built somewhere around mid-August (mine is). Tesla builds 2400+ cars in a period of six weeks (between July 8th and mid-August), but somehow doesn't even manage to build all 500 European Sigs in that same period.

 

[Ampfreak]

After calling the European representatives, I got a delivery date in the week of August 13th. Next week I should get a call from the delivery specialist.
I asked about twin chargers and she laughed and said, there is no problem with twin chargers and that my car will be delivered with a twin charger. Hmmm... Hope she is right!

I think the problem is not the twin charger, he may get delivered. The problem is how to feed legaly 3x32A to the car. The standard UMC has a 3x16A plug. You need a type 2 UMC with a CEE 3x32A plug and heavier control electronic which Tesla imo has not yet. Such loaders can be purchased separately e.g. crOHM a swiss product. They produced a spezial Version for Tesla Model S.
Tesla Model S

 

[Eberhard]

Production Complete

Your Model S Signature is being prepared for pickup or delivery.

#32 EU sign.

 

[bagu]

Production Complete

Your Model S Signature is being prepared for pickup or delivery.

#32 EU sign.

Same for me, #65 EU signature

 

[VolkerP]

@Eberhard, @bagu

great news! Let's hope for smooth deliveries!

 

[jkirkebo]

I think the problem is not the twin charger, he may get delivered. The problem is how to feed legaly 3x32A to the car. The standard UMC has a 3x16A plug. You need a type 2 UMC with a CEE 3x32A plug and heavier control electronic which Tesla imo has not yet. Such loaders can be purchased separately e.g. crOHM a swiss product. They produced a spezial Version for Tesla Model S.
Tesla Model S

We have several 43kW AC quick chargers in Norway, with attached Type 2 cables. Those should charge a Model S at 22kW just fine. Also we have some public Mode 3 Type 2 22kW charging stations. CEE 32A plugs are however few and far between.

 

[andrewket]

My experience is the remote access will stay off, until you, as the owner, personally turn it on, which means you will have to get the car physically. So don't keep checking and be disappointed!

Someone corrects me if I am wrong.

This is true. However once your car is alive the error message will change. It will say something along the lines of "remote access is disabled".

A


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[felixtb]

Production Complete

Your Model S Signature is being prepared for pickup or delivery.

#32 EU sign.

now my question is: is this in the US or from Tilburg?? because are they not shipped as "parts" to Tilburg to get rid of some of the import taxes...... it's not really clear how they are dealing with this setup..... Please keep us posted on this if you hear anything

ie. how can they announce that your production is complete and ship the car as "parts" legally? would this announcement not have to come when FINAL assembly in Tilburg has been completed.....

 

[speedmind]

"I'd hardly call that information from Tesla, which is the point. Are those documents available for download through MyTesla yet? Not everybody reads TMC to find the information they need about their car.

Looks like they do listen to feedback after all. It's either that, or enthusiasts tend to be a bit impatient...

This appeared on myTesla portal this morning under the Documents section below the car's status:
https://www.teslamotors.com/sites/d...nts/model_s_mobile_connector_europe_1.0_2.pdf

Note that over the past few days it's switched from the full list of documents to empty and now this.

 

[pjhartog]

now my question is: is this in the US or from Tilburg?? because are they not shipped as "parts" to Tilburg to get rid of some of the import taxes...... it's not really clear how they are dealing with this setup..... Please keep us posted on this if you hear anything

ie. how can they announce that your production is complete and ship the car as "parts" legally? would this announcement not have to come when FINAL assembly in Tilburg has been completed.....

My understanding is that cars for EU countries will have some minor final assembly done in Tilburg to indeed have lower import duties than on a complete car. For Norway and Switzerland apparently the cars will ship completely ready since those countries have different rules and the savings don't apply. So it seems that you car is ready (in the US) and soon on its way to Europe.

Enjoy !