Tesla customers with orders for the brand’s Model X SUV are facing delivery delays of up to two years. Although the US brand started deliveries of its mildly refreshed Model X in its domestic market last October, production is still far slower than anticipated. As a result, customers who had been told to expect their car this year are now being advised that delivery will be delayed until 2023 at the earliest. 

According to Tesla-watching channel Teslarati, early customers who placed an order in 2021 have had their delivery dates change eight times. The latest update has moved delivery times from July 2022 to April 2023. 

Tesla has blamed supplier issues for the delays and confirmed that making production changes as its Fremont factory took longer than originally planned. In February, boss Elon Musk responded to criticism of the delays by admitting that the brand’s plan to stop production of the old car before the new version was ready had been “idiotic.” Musk said that Tesla had: “dropped the ball regarding the new Model X production ramp & still haven’t recovered. Was idiotic to stop production of old X in Dec 2020 when there was still plenty of demand!”

Although Tesla’s UK ordering site no longer gives delivery estimates for the Model X, American customers could potentially take delivery this year - if they are prepared to buy the most expensive model. The range-topping Plaid version, which costs $144,490 currently has a delivery estimate of Aug-Oct 2022. However, customers looking to buy the standard Model X ($126,990) will have to wait until Jan-Apr 2023) for their cars. 

Tesla boss Elon Musk admitted that the company had made mistakes with the introduction of the facelifted model