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 The launch of the Model X represents a milestone for the loss-making
Silicon Valley automaker during a period of high spending and modest
growth, because it can now boast a second model in production beyond
its Model S sedan, launched in 2012.
"I think we got a little carried away with the X," Chief Executive
Officer Elon Musk told reporters ahead of a launch event near the
company's Fremont factory, where luxury Model Xs have been moving
down the production line in recent weeks, nearly two years behind
the company's original schedule.
Musk estimated that 25,000 customers had pre-ordered the crossover
online or in its stores and that it would take 8-12 months for those
ordering from now to receive the SUV.
In retrospect, the company may have done less, Musk said.
"There is far more there than is really necessary to sell a car. And
some of the things are so difficult, they make the car better but
the difficulty of engineering those parts is so high."
Between 4,000-6,000 guests filled a cavernous space for the launch.
Invited to the event were Model X reservation holders, Tesla
employees and Model S and Roadster owners. The Roadster sportscar,
which is no longer in production, was the company's first vehicle.
Musk has said the all-wheel drive Model X - with two electric
motors, the ability to travel about 250 miles (about 400 km) on a
single charge and seating for seven people - was "the hardest car to
build in the world".
Priced as high as $144,000, it features so-called "falcon-wing"
doors that open upward rather than to the side - controlled by
sensors that can modulate the height to clear garage ceilings -
seats that can be adjusted separately and a panoramic windshield
that extends overhead.
Musk said the biggest challenges were making the doors open in a
graceful "balletic" manner, the expansive windshield - which he said
was the largest piece of glass ever used in a car - plus its sun
visor and the moveable seats, which he said were deceptively tricky.
"One of the hardest things to design is a good seat," he said.
Although global adoption of electric vehicles has been slow, Tesla
has been the U.S. pioneer in luxury electric cars charged by
batteries. It is betting that high-performance and stylish offerings
will boost acceptance amid a sea of alternatives, such as hybrids or
electric vehicles powered by hydrogen.
Tesla predicted its SUV would receive 5-star safety ratings in all
categories, based on data from its crash tests, due to its low
center of gravity, which helps reduce rollovers.
The Model X, like the Model S, will be continuously improved, Tesla
said, due to software transmitted "over the air". A highly
anticipated update expected within the next month will allow for an
auto-pilot function, in which cars can be driven hands-free on
freeways.
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AHEAD OF PACK
The buzz surrounding Tesla's Model S sedan - whose P85D variant won
a top score of 100 from Consumer Reports magazine in August - has
managed to preempt high-end German rivals such as Volkswagen's Audi
and Porsche, BMW and Daimler's Mercedes-Benz.
At the Frankfurt Auto Show earlier this month, Audi unveiled its e-tron
quattro sport-utility vehicle, and Porsche showed off its first
battery-powered sports car, although neither will be available
before 2018.
But spending on the Model X, a new Nevada battery factory and the
lower-cost Model 3 due by late 2017, have all increased capital
expenses, which totaled $831.2 million in the first half of the
year.
The Model X, he said, "gives us a cashflow stream we can use to
develop and facilitate" Tesla's three vehicles either in production
or development.
Six new cars were delivered on Tuesday to a group made up of Tesla
board members, investors and friends of Musk who had pre-ordered.
In August, Musk said Tesla would make between 50,000-55,000 Model S
and Model X vehicles this year, with the capacity for 1,600-1,800
vehicles per week on its production line next year.
Tuesday's unveiling showcased the top-of-the-line "Signature" Model
X, priced between $132,000 and $144,000, with optional add-ons such
as acceleration upgrades, packages for subzero weather package or
towing.
The company has not disclosed pricing for the base model, but Musk
said that in the future, there would be a "lower-cost" Model X.
(This story corrects the spelling of Tesla in the first paragraph)
(Reporting By Alexandria Sage; Editing by Ken Wills)
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