Musk pushed for the Model X's rear doors to hinge upward, arguing they would make it easier for parents to load children into car seats in narrow parking spaces and give the SUV a distinctive, futuristic silhouette compared with a conventional sliding minivan door.[1][2] Speaking at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, Musk acknowledged the difficulty the doors had caused but defended keeping them, saying "it's been two steps forward, one step back... it was important to me that the doors were not just a gimmick, but a fundamental improvement to the functionality of the cars."[2][3]
01
At a Glance
The Tesla Model X is a mid-size all-electric SUV known for its distinctive falcon-wing rear doors, which hinge upward rather than outward to allow access in tight parking spaces. Originally targeted for a late-2013 launch, the Model X was delayed nearly two years, with production finally beginning in September 2015. The falcon-wing doors, sourced from a hydraulics supplier that repeatedly failed to deliver a design meeting Tesla's reliability standards, were widely reported as the single largest source of the delay, alongside broader challenges getting the vehicle's motors, cooling systems and overall design finalized.
02
Concept and the Case for Falcon-Wing Doors
03
Repeated Delays
The Model X was originally slated for a late-2013 debut, then pushed to 2014, and ultimately to September 2015 — nearly two years behind the original plan.[3][4] Reporting at the time attributed the delays to several compounding factors: Tesla's focus on stabilizing Model S production and profitability first, difficulties cooling the vehicle's motors under heavy towing loads, and, most persistently, the falcon-wing door mechanism.[3][4]
04
The Falcon-Wing Door Supplier Problem
Tesla's hydraulic falcon-wing door system depended on a supplier, the Swiss firm Hoerbiger Holding, which repeatedly failed between March 2014 and May 2015 to deliver a version of the doors that met Tesla's engineering requirements, according to reporting and a subsequent Tesla lawsuit against the supplier.[4][5] Early doors reportedly suffered from oil leakage and overheating in testing.[5] Tesla eventually redesigned much of the door mechanism internally rather than relying solely on the original supplier's design.[4][5]
05
Launch and Legacy
Deliveries of the Model X finally began on September 29, 2015.[4] The vehicle went on to become a well-reviewed, if lower-volume, complement to the Model S in Tesla's lineup, offering third-row seating and among the highest towing capacities of any electric SUV at the time.[1][4] Along with the Model S, the Model X shared Tesla's Fremont assembly line until Tesla ended production of both vehicles in 2026 to convert the line to Optimus robot manufacturing.[1]
06
References
- 1Wikipedia, Tesla Model X, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 2Digital Trends, Tesla announces Model X performance range. And yes, those Falcon Wing Doors are staying, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 3Green Car Reports, Why Tesla Model X Electric SUV Is Late: Range, Towing, 'Falcon Doors', accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 4CleanTechnica, Multiple Causes Linked to Tesla Model X Delays, accessed on September 26, 2026.
- 5Green Car Reports, Tesla Model X 'Falcon Door': Lawsuit Against German Supplier Over Failed Development, accessed on September 26, 2026.
07
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Model X's doors called 'falcon-wing'?
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Because they hinge upward from the roofline in two segments, resembling a bird's folded wings, rather than opening outward or sliding like conventional car doors.
How late was the Tesla Model X?
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Nearly two years. It was originally planned for a late-2013 launch but did not begin customer deliveries until September 29, 2015.
What caused the Model X's delays?
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A combination of factors, but reporting most consistently pointed to problems with the falcon-wing door mechanism, supplied initially by Hoerbiger Holding, which struggled with oil leakage and overheating in testing.
Did Tesla sue over the falcon-wing doors?
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Yes. Tesla filed a lawsuit against its Swiss hydraulics supplier, Hoerbiger Holding, alleging it failed to deliver a door system meeting Tesla's engineering standards.
Is the Model X still in production?
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No. Tesla ended Model X and Model S production in 2026, converting the shared Fremont assembly line to build the Optimus humanoid robot.