Musk apologizes for snags in Tesla delivery information

DETROIT (AP) — Tesla apparently is having trouble informing customers about deliveries of the Model 3 mass-market electric car.

In a Twitter response to a Model 3 buyer Wednesday, CEO Elon Musk wrote that customers “may experience longer response times” because of a large increase in vehicle deliveries in North America. He wrote that resolving the issue is Tesla’s top priority.

Earlier in the day, the customer tweeted to Musk that he couldn’t get a vehicle identification number from his sales adviser even though he is scheduled to pick up his Model 3 on Monday. The customer wrote that his loan for the car is up in the air. Normally vehicle identification numbers are needed for loan paperwork.

The customer wrote that his experience with Tesla has been a nightmare and the adviser isn’t responding to emails.

Musk apologized and wrote that he’s working on the issue. Tesla spokesmen did not immediately comment.

Tesla is counting on sales of the Model 3 to generate cash to make debt and expense payments and turn a sustained profit starting this quarter. The company said it has more than 400,000 orders for the car, which starts at $35,000 but can’t be purchased yet for less than $49,000.

Also Wednesday, another executive announced he was leaving Tesla, the fourth departure in the last two weeks.

Justin McAnear, vice-president of global finance, wrote in a statement distributed by Tesla that he will leave the company Oct. 7 to take a chief financial officer role at another company that he didn’t identify.

“This was simply an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” he wrote, adding that he loved working at Tesla and has great respect for his colleagues. McAnear wrote that a number of people will step up to fill his role.