Hi everyone, I know the last few months have been quite frustrating surrounding two issues: Model S delivery dates and the sequence of deliveries. Our communication on these two issues has been weak at best. There are reasons for this, but it will only sound like an excuse if I try to explain them, so I will not. What you need to know is that we have been intensely, intensely working on these issues. A personal communication will be going out today to all Signature reservation holders that have not received their car (or are scheduled to receive their car in the next few days). This communication will explain at a high level what has happened and what will happen going forward. For those who have been caught up in this whirlwind of issues, I apologize for the inconvenience. Our first communication to help take care of this will be out soon. Sincerely, GeorgeB
George ... classy! Nonetheless, I've vocally (so to speak) supported giving Tesla a lot of latitude as I appreciate the headaches you all are no doubt going through. Anxiously and patiently waiting...
Great news for all those who are waiting! I wonder if the personal communication will go out to the Canadian sigs as well.
If any Sig holders don't mind, could they post this communication here? I think it would also help out the rest of us in line who are getting anxious. And thanks, George, for taking charge of the situation and trying to make a change.
I got a call from a Tesla rep today.. It was to tell me I had been transferred to a new delivery specialist. Coupled with this post.... Perhaps this means wheels are turning...
Thanks for making us aware and acknowledging the issues, George. It would be nice if the details were more public and at least the next 1000 or so post-Signature folks could get some sort of update to know what to expect as well.
Just talked with my Delivery Specialist who informed me that there is a huge push today getting cars out for delivery. She didn't elaborate on the details, but simply stated that deliveries are once again in full gear and the plan is still for all Sigs to get delivered in the next few weeks. I am P1117 and she said that based upon what she's seeing currently she would expect to see my paperwork come through to her within the next couple of weeks, and barring any new issues I should see delivery by the end of November. She was understandably very cautious in her replies, but did a great job of handling my questions in a very polite and professional manner. I've NO doubt that everything that can be done to keep things moving (in a quality manner) is being done. Patience cricket, patience. :-/ Thanks George!
I just got the GB email and appreciate the explanation... But it raised a question. Exactly what does, "making changes to the Performance Model" mean?
That email could have been sent out a month ago. As soon as they started reaching forward in the reservation numbers, they should have realized that cars would be delivered out of sequence. Communication has always been Tesla's greatest weakness. Is it Elon's Achilles's heel? Even if it is, George as a marketing guy should know how valuable proper communication is to keeping customers happy.
I appreciate, as always, George's contributions here and fairly direct phrasing. The words give me some hope, though assuaging the concerns/worries I've developed will be based in the deeds: useful communications, cars delivered on time, etc. Tesla often mentions being more like a tech company than a car company, which is usually good, but of late it's been too many of the less desirable tech cliches (it's 90% there, almost ready, just a couple bugs left, we'll fix that in a patch, etc...). Having been in far too many of those types of software projects, I know it feels horrible on either side of that customer/provider relationship.
They replaced the CF elements on the lower parts of the car with the same plastic used in non-Perf cars. The CF was getting damaged too easily.
Ok.. I recall that. I figured since that change was some time ago, there was a new modification being made.
It takes a long time to make a change like that. First you have to cancel all of your orders for the carbon fiber bits. Then make sure you can make the same bit out of plastic, and most likely change it. Then have someone make up a die and make a few test bits. Then you have to find someone that can supply thousands of those parts. And then other things come up like will it paint properly? Will it look acceptable? Is it going to stay on once it gets ran onto a sidewalk? ... and so on. 'Little' stuff like that can takes months to get ironed out.
I hope George isn't saying that the 2 week delay we heard about over the last week or so is really going to be 4 to 6 weeks. In my book 2 to 4 of those weeks have already happened to any of us Signature buyers that had delivery windows given to them this month.
The only flaw with that logic, which makes absolute sense, is that they already had existing parts for non perf models. So, other than a supply issue, there'd be no logical reason to "change" the perf model, just use what's in the bin.
George Someone posted your email already, which I didn't get. How does all this impact Canadian Signature reservation holders? thanks
I'm going to save this line in my toolbox if you don't mind George. I'm sure it will come in handy someday.