Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Sunday acknowledged that the electric-car maker's problems have now shifted to delivery logistics from production delays, the latest speed bump in its efforts to achieve profitability.
"Sorry, we've gone from production hell to delivery logistics hell, but this problem is far more tractable. We're making rapid progress. Should be solved shortly," Musk said in a tweet in response to a customer complaint on delivery delay.
The Tesla customer had appealed to Musk directly on Twitter, saying the delivery of her car had just been postponed indefinitely -- following three earlier delays. She said there were 42 Teslas sitting at the Union Pacific Railroad depot in Salt Lake City and one of them was hers.
Musk last week narrowed the paint options on new vehicles, his latest effort to streamline production.
In a blog dated Sept. 7, Musk said Tesla is about to build and deliver more than twice as many cars as it did last quarter. During the three months that ended in June, Tesla produced 53,339 vehicles and delivered 40,740.
Tesla’s production and delivery woes highlight how the company is struggling just as German rivals prepare their electric lineups. Audi is expected to unveil later Monday its e-Tron battery-powered crossover, due to hit the showrooms later this year. This month, Mercedes-Benz revealed its own electric EQC crossover, and BMW showed off its iNext concept over the weekend.
