Tesla Stresses Quality Over Quantity as Model X Deliveries Begin
- Need for smooth rollout critical ahead of Model 3 in 2017
- Shares slump as shipment of 208 SUVs trails some forecasts
Tesla Model X Review: Electric Luxury
Tesla Motors Inc.’s slow rollout of the Model X sport utility vehicle shows the maker of electric cars is emphasizing quality over quantity to protect its brand image after hiccups earlier in 2015.
Following a splashy introduction of the SUV in late September and a backlog of thousands of orders, Tesla went on to deliver 208 Model Xs in the fourth quarter. That’s less than half the 507 it actually built and below some analysts’ projections. One reason, Tesla said Sunday, is that in the early stages of production it will “prioritize quality above all else.”