Wiki Model S Delivery Update

[ckessel]

Now, there are regular production cars being delivered BEFORE some "Special Signature" cars without an explanation by Tesla--game changed.

Well, in fairness, that hasn't actually happened yet. It's very possible that won't happen at all and the SS folks just haven't gotten word. I'm obviously critical of the communication bit, but I wouldn't assume just yet some of the SS folks are actually going to be put behind Ps.

 

[herbie731]

All true, but it's important to understand that the company is bootstrapping itself with relatively little working capital. They have never had to deliver this many cars this quickly, and it would have cost millions (that they don't have) to hire and train the personnel and build the infrastructure required to provide the type of experience you are talking about.

Because they don't have the cash to do what you want they were forced to outsource much of the work to large numbers of contractors on an adhoc basis, while pressing their own (inadequate) workforce well beyond normal limits. I doubt that Tesla is under any illusions that this process is operating in an "acceptable" fashion, but this is a chicken/egg situation.

They don't have the money to provide a great delivery service until after they have delivered the cars. I doubt very much that you will see these issues in 2 years when they are actually profitable and have had time and money to devote to the problem.

If they do not have the money or infrastructure they shouldn't be doing what they are doing. There are plenty of economical systems that could be put into play to keep some sort of organization. Excusing them of their responsibility because they do not have money is asinine. If you can't deliver on what you promised you shouldn't have promised it to begin with. Ethics are morals are not expensive. This is not a case of someone working half-assed because they are underpaid, this has to do with poor planning and improper management. "Don't bite off more than you can chew".

 

[rbmartin]

Update - I managed to get my Delivery Experience Specialist on the phone this morning. Short version is that my car is delayed for an unknown amount of time, probably a couple of weeks. I think they're doing the best they can and I'm cool with that.

 

[Arnold Panz]

Update - I managed to get my Delivery Experience Specialist on the phone this morning. Short version is that my car is delayed for an unknown amount of time, probably a couple of weeks. I think they're doing the best they can and I'm cool with that.

Good to hear. My experience is the same -- once I hear from someone at Tesla I'm fine, even if it's "bad" news. The point is, why are you tracking Tesla down to get this info? Shouldn't they be contacting you proactively to give you this type of news? This doesn't take dozens or hundreds of employees. It probably doesn't cost anything -- it's a change of mindset and direction from the top to proactively contact people with important updates, good or bad, so that they aren't left in the dark wondering why they haven't heard anything.

And given some of the delivery delays once cars are built, it wouldn't be surprising at all that some Rs or Ps get delivered before all of the Sigs are delivered. The Sigs are all being built first, but getting them delivered to far flung places seems to be a challenge, and for people in California, especially taking factory delivery, it should be easy to get delivery, so some Sigs (and possibly SSLs) may get delivered after some general production cars.

 

[ChrisC]

I feel like this thread has been hijacked (again) by discussions not relevent to actual deliveries

Hear, hear. Can someone point out some good threads to take these communications staffing discussions over to?

Tip: if you are typing 3 paragraphs of opinion and you use words like "millions" and "market cap", it's probably not for this thread.

 

[ckessel]

Hear, hear. Can someone point out some good threads to take these communications staffing discussions over to?

Delivery updates are going to go hand in hand with communications (or lack thereof) about such updates.

We have a couple people now reporting new delays. That's worrisome.

 

[vfx]

I like spanked still. Oh what about shocked!

from my Samsung galaxy s3

Shocked is good. Not only does it descibe thier amazement they have been beat, they "electric" connection is there.

Who have you shocked?!

 

[dsm363]

Zapped might work too.

 

[JRP3]

Hear, hear. Can someone point out some good threads to take these communications staffing discussions over to?

Tip: if you are typing 3 paragraphs of opinion and you use words like "millions" and "market cap", it's probably not for this thread.

Delivery Issues and Concerns:http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/show...ssues-and-Concerns/page26?p=199442#post199442

 

[cinergi]

Delivered! Off to drive around :smile:

 

[driver_EV]

Delivered! Off to drive around :smile:

Nice! I bet it is worth the wait!

 

[Larry Chanin]

I feel like this thread has been hijacked (again) by discussions not relevent to actual deliveries

Hear, hear. Can someone point out some good threads to take these communications staffing discussions over to?

Tip: if you are typing 3 paragraphs of opinion and you use words like "millions" and "market cap", it's probably not for this thread.

Delivery Issues and Concerns:http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/show...ssues-and-Concerns/page26?p=199442#post199442

Mods: For those of us desiring to follow the intent of this thread, and read about actual delivery updates, would it be possible to prune the verbose opinions and speculations regarding Tesla's ability to manage deliveries and place them in the "Delivery Issues and Concerns" where they belong?

Thanks.

Larry

 

[Zapped]

Zapped might work too.

Hey, that's my handle
"might work " ? For sure I work. It's a lot of work reading all these threads.:smile:

 

[CapitalistOppressor]

So how many people do you think they need? You've said hundreds. At full speed they'd be shipping 400/week. So, you think they need roughly 1 full time person for each car shipped each week? So when Gen3 ships at 10x the volume, they'd need thousands?

I've worked at companies that manufacture and ship custom configuration hardware to dozens of customers a week (medical monitor). We were bound by regulation to respond with an investigation and filing a report every time someone died and our monitor was attached, which given it was a medical monitor often used in ambulances, that was pretty frequent.

All that customer interaction, the reports, etc? One guy with a couple assistants. If Tesla need hundreds of people to handle their current volume, that sounds like a devastatingly serious business problem. I suspect it's far more likely they simply have some crap processes to fix, which while also a bit scary, that's solvable.

Actually, I don't think they need to hire many more customer service reps at all. Most of these customer interaction problems will go away once production ramps up and becomes predictable. The problem right now is that the production delays have created a huge pile of frustrated customers who need constant hand holding. If you regularize production and delivery to the point of predictability the customer service problems fall back to background level.

For delivery, I'd say that if they want to actually control the process they likely do need more employees and the number is closer to a hundred than it is ten. Last time I checked they had dozens of openings for delivery specialists and if they are going to ship them cross country they need a fair number of route drivers, dispatchers and support staff.

Again though, even the craziness with delivery gets mitigated somewhat with predictable factory operations. But they certainly need a method of keeping track of their shipments and take a solid hand in dispatching if they want to be able to give folks more than a day notice like they have been doing.

- - - Updated - - -

Mods: For those of us desiring to follow the intent of this thread, and read about actual delivery updates, would it be possible to prune the verbose opinions and speculations regarding Tesla's ability to manage deliveries and place them in the "Delivery Issues and Concerns" where they belong?

Thanks.

Larry

Yes, this discussion does belong in another thread.

 

[daripalli]

Right!?!

 

[StephRob]

I emailed my Delivery Experience Specialist yesterday and heard the following today:

"I was just informed by our management last night that the delivery windows have been shifted 1 to 2 weeks later, so I would expect that your car to be ready toward the end of October or early November.

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. We know it is frustrating as you anxiously await your car. Please know that we are working around the clock to bring you a car that will blow you away. As we ramp up, it’s very important that every car we produce is quality tested and a product that we will stand behind; just a week or two more allows us to ensure that. "

I had been given a delivery window of October 7-21 for Sig 731 (Sig Red, Perf, Lacewood, Pano roof, Child seats). While it's disappointing to hear about the delay, I appreciated his prompt response and his directness.

I did learn my VIN though - it's 626. C'mon #626!!!

 

[AndyM]

I'm Sig 1199, just got my email to "help prepare for delivery". Cool! Asks me to verify my delivery address, configuration (pdf was attached), method of payment, and to say the delivery window is 10/29-11/12. Not too far off.... when I configured my order in July the Pre MVPA said delivery was expected "October 2012".

Wow, while the waiting was (is) uncomfortable the delivery date appears to be within ±2 weeks of the estimate I was given back in July.

Will post of course when I get the actual delivery date, but this looks to me like Tesla has a real chance of delivering ALL sigs by the 2nd week of November.

Congratulations, Steve!!! If you need a group of people to be on site to cheer your delivery, let me know.

 

[xhawk101]

Delivered! Off to drive around :smile:

Jealous! Shock and zap those Maserati wanna be's!

from my Samsung galaxy s3

 

[dsm363]

I know this doesn't help with the frustration about the delays but once it finally arrives, I think most of that will melt away.

 

[DrComputer]

I've flown up to Sunnyvale while I wait for my delivery time slot (staying with friends). They emailed me this evening saying Sunday but possibly Saturday.