Wiki Model S Delivery Update

[adelman]

Hi Ken,

To echo gg's remark, can you please elaborate on your configuration. Did you happen to pass on the Panoranic roof, or go with the Standard Signature rather than Performance?

Performance, Red, 21" silver wheels, Panoramic roof, no child seat, rear spoiler delete, tan leather interior, armoring. Nothing special.

I'm not being patient. It is pretty frustrating that they're delivering cars 30+ after mine and I still don't even have a delivery date! I have a trip on the 13th that's outside the range of my Roadster (but inside the range of the S) as well as a commitment to display it at an EV fair on the 23rd, and no idea if I'm going to have the car or not.

 

[rcc]

So they could be running short on the tan performance leather, 21" silver wheels, having problems ramping the armoring or they're batching the production runs on the seats (so they're doing a run of black, then grey, then tan, etc.).

I think the most likely scenario is a shortage of wheels or they're batching the seat production and that moved some cars with other interior colors ahead of you. My bet is the seats. And if so, this is the type of thing that shows up during low volume production but won't be an issue once volume ramps.

One more possibility: until they get enough people trained, they may have a pretty severe limit on how many cars they can deliver in one area a day.

 

[vfx]

One of the photos shows it is VIN 8, but is it also SSL #8 ?

Not a Founders.

 

[joefee]

So they could be running short on the tan performance leather, 21" silver wheels, having problems ramping the armoring or they're batching the production runs on the seats (so they're doing a run of black, then grey, then tan, etc.).

I think the most likely scenario is a shortage of wheels or they're batching the seat production and that moved some cars with other interior colors ahead of you. My bet is the seats. And if so, this is the type of thing that shows up during low volume production but won't be an issue once volume ramps.

One more possibility: until they get enough people trained, they may have a pretty severe limit on how many cars they can deliver in one area a day.

from the Tesla Jobs site:

Delivery Experience Specialist US-CA-Newport Beach-Service 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-WA-Seattle-Service 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-TX-Austin-Service 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-OH-Columbus-Service 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-DC-Washington DC-K Street-Store 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-CA-Los Angeles-Santa Monica-Store 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-TX-Dallas-North Park-Store 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-NC-Raleigh-Service 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-PA-Philadelphia-King of Prussia-Store 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-GA-Atlanta-Lenox-Store 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-IL-Oak Brook-Oakbrook-Service 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-MO-St. Louis-Service 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-NY-White Plains-Westchester Ave-Store 1 Full time
Delivery Experience Specialist US-FL-Dania Beach-Tigertail Blvd-Service 1 Full time

 

[v12 to 12v]

Performance, Red, 21" silver wheels, Panoramic roof, no child seat, rear spoiler delete, tan leather interior, armoring. Nothing special.

The Tan leather jumped out at me. That is my bet regarding the delay. I think that the original plan was to have the Tan interior available for the production models and not the Sigs. I believe that the Tan that was a very late addition to the options for the Signatures due to some reservationists having reservations about a white interior.

I was hesitant about the white interior too and was considering deferring until a tan interior was available. Once I saw the "white" isn't really white, and that the tan was much darker than I imagined, I stayed with the Signature with "white" interior because I liked it much better.

Now I am really glad I stayed with the Signature. When I had thoughts of deferring for the tan interior I had the 2013 red in mind too. Now that I have seen the Sunset Red I find that I really don't care for it at all, whereas I love the Sig Red.:love:

 

[adelman]

So they could be running short on the tan performance leather, 21" silver wheels, having problems ramping the armoring or they're batching the production runs on the seats (so they're doing a run of black, then grey, then tan, etc.).

I think the most likely scenario is a shortage of wheels or they're batching the seat production and that moved some cars with other interior colors ahead of you. My bet is the seats. And if so, this is the type of thing that shows up during low volume production but won't be an issue once volume ramps.

One more possibility: until they get enough people trained, they may have a pretty severe limit on how many cars they can deliver in one area a day.

Factory delivery. Delivery bandwidth can't be the problem since they're delivering later cars.

I gave them my order in March. I understand batching, but that's quite a delay for what I expect to be a pretty common interior choice. They haven't even given me a date yet! You think they would have more respect for those of us who put $40k down before we even saw the prototype or knew what we were putting it on (in our case, three weeks before the announcement).

 

[epley]

That is frutstrating. Your local Tesla person doesn't have any word? You'd think they could call the factory and give you an update!

Factory delivery. Delivery bandwidth can't be the problem since they're delivering later cars.

I gave them my order in March. I understand batching, but that's quite a delay for what I expect to be a pretty common interior choice. They haven't even given me a date yet! You think they would have more respect for those of us who put $40k down before we even saw the prototype or knew what we were putting it on (in our case, three weeks before the announcement).

 

[contaygious]

How can tan be holding up cars when some of the sigs are already tan? I recall at least 1 black and tan founder model.

 

[Arnold Panz]

Factory delivery. Delivery bandwidth can't be the problem since they're delivering later cars.

I gave them my order in March. I understand batching, but that's quite a delay for what I expect to be a pretty common interior choice. They haven't even given me a date yet! You think they would have more respect for those of us who put $40k down before we even saw the prototype or knew what we were putting it on (in our case, three weeks before the announcement).

Adelman, I couldn't agree with you more. It's one thing for them to delay deliveries to ensure quality or whatever, but to deliver cars to people well behind you on the list and not give you a detailed reason is just bad customer service IMHO. For whatever reason they seem hesitant to provide details on certain potentially "negative" things going on with production (temporary or ephemeral as they may be), where the reality is that being forthright and honest on the details would actually be the better/smarter approach to keep people calm.

You are 100% right -- you gave them $40k a long time ago to get in a certain place in line. You shouldn't have to "guess" why your car is being held up and others well behind you in line are getting their cars. If it's the seat color (which seems bizarre to me, but I guess anything's possible), then why can't they just tell you that?! I don't see how that would frustrate you any more than you already are having your delivery delayed with no explanation while others well behind you in line are getting their cars before you!

 

[ElSupreme]

Delivery Experience Specialist US-GA-Atlanta-Lenox-Store 1 Full time

YES! Finally some hint of a real store that isn't 600 miles away!

Yes I know about the service center. It is probably about 3 miles from my house.

 

[Sparrow]

What about a possible quality controll isuue in his particular car. Maybe something isn't working right and needs to be fixed before they can deliver it. Could be anything.

 

[rcc]

How can tan be holding up cars when some of the sigs are already tan? I recall at least 1 black and tan founder model.

If they only have one production line for the seats, then they likely make a batch of one color at a time, switch fabric, thread, etc., then make the next color. If you don't make the current batch, you have to wait until the next batch. This won't affect the delivery date significantly once the factory is running full-blast because they'll be making each color at least once a week. But right now it could easily slow delivery by a week or more since the production line is running so slowly.

Or supply shortage. They may be running low on tan leather if the supplier can't ramp the supply as quickly as Tesla wants to ramp production. Again, shouldn't be a problem once the production rate hits steady-state. But now may be a different story.

None of this should be problem once production is fully ramped.

 

[efusco]

Here's a question then: would any of you TMC regulars who are set to get their cars sometime in September or even October enter into an NDA/blackout situation with Tesla if asked to?

I, for one, would be itching to talk about my car from day one so, would feel very uncomfortable entering into an NDA...

Guess it would depend...if they just don't want me talking about the fact that the 3G connectivity isn't working right or that the rear-view camera doesn't work or some simple fix-up thing, then yea, I'll sign it, no big deal. But if there are major functional issues, hell no, make the car right before it hits my driveway...esp. considering how far from any sort of tesla service shop I live.

 

[Arnold Panz]

What about a possible quality controll isuue in his particular car. Maybe something isn't working right and needs to be fixed before they can deliver it. Could be anything.

I think this is the most logical explanation. There's possibly something specific to this car that they can't fix quickly (gaps in the rear hatch!!), so need to delay a couple of weeks. With only three interior choices for Sigs (white, tan or black) it's extremely unlikely that that's the cause of the holdup. Of course, Adelman shouldn't have to guess at this -- I really don't understand what the big deal would be in just telling him "we didn't like the way the alignment was" (or whatever the issue is) so we're redoing it to make sure you get the best quality car possible. I would think that would be a much easier pill to swallow than no explanation at all. I'd certainly prefer that if it happens to me.

 

[Norbert]

I don't think there is a special reason for #48, as it is in a similar time frame as many others. There may be a special reason #88 is so early, compared to others. Maybe some lucky reason, where they tried something for the first time and it appeared to work very well, so they wanted to see if the whole car will pass all tests... or something like that.

 

[dadaleus]

There may be a special reason #88 is so early, compared to others. Maybe some lucky reason, where they tried something for the first time and it appeared to work very well, so they wanted to see if the whole car will pass all tests... or something like that.

I was contacted last weekend by my delivery specialist and given a delivery timeframe of Sept 10-24. I immediately replied with all the requested details and that that was fine, but that I'd really really love to have it by the 14th for a special weekend we have planned, and that I was happy to fly up to the factory and pick it up this weekend if it could be ready. They called back a little bit later and said we were on. Apparently the car was already pretty much ready and they are slotting in deliveries. By coming to get it I must have jumped that queue a bit.

That's all I know. Sorry to anyone who is feeling left out. Re NDAs, I've not been asked to do anything like that. In fact, I asked if they'd prefer I keep my delivery date a little quiet so as to not ruffle any feathers, and they said that they love it when people post about their deliveries on TMC so go ahead. So there you go!

Adding a bit more:
For those in a hurry to get their S (who isn't), my recommendation would be: Once you are contacted by your specialist, get them all the requested info (insurance, drivers licenses, desired registration info, etc...) as quickly as possible. Then ask what the options are for delivery and if there is anything you can do to get the earliest possible date, including factory pickup if that's an option for you. It was explained that for delivery it is shipped to the closest store, and then that store does a dealer prep. If being delivered home, it then depends on when the delivery truck is available so they can schedule you in. On the flip side, as has been mentioned, I don't think they want to encourage factory pickup for people out of area because they don't want your first experience to be trying to figure out how to manage the range issue. As a Roadster owner I was able to assure them I have that part well under control. And frankly, being able to make a one-way trip down the California coast on a weekend that happens to be great for me was an added bonus!

 

[Robert.Boston]

You'll see me here a whole lot less once I have my Model S!:biggrin:

 

[neroden]

Once you are contacted by your specialist, get them all the requested info (insurance, drivers licenses, desired registration info, etc...) as quickly as possible.

Since I currently don't have insurance of my own (long story), I don't think I can *get* insurance *until* I get a VIN.... hmm. Emailing Tesla to figure out what order to do things in....

 

[adelman]

Since I currently don't have insurance of my own (long story), I don't think I can *get* insurance *until* I get a VIN.... hmm. Emailing Tesla to figure out what order to do things in....

I have a VIN, but my insurance won't issue until after I receive delivery of the car. But I guess my car isnt close enough that Tesla has even asked for insurance information from me. Just how I wanted to take delivery (factory) and whether I had a trade-in or wanted to finance it.

Ken

 

[dsm363]

I have a VIN, but my insurance won't issue until after I receive delivery of the car. But I guess my car isnt close enough that Tesla has even asked for insurance information from me. Just how I wanted to take delivery (factory) and whether I had a trade-in or wanted to finance it.

Ken

I've only ever had USAA but they'll issue insurance for a future date once you have the VIN. Hopefully you get your car soon.