Musk to hand over first Model X SUVs

American electric auto maker Tesla has opened a new manufacturing centre in the Netherlands in an attempt to reduce lead times in Europe. The CEO went on to say later during the call that these other features are the reason the company planned to keep the vehicle shrouded in mystery until it began deliveries.

The Model X is likely the most anticipated new vehicle of the year.

During an interview with Danish media, Elon Musk revealed that he estimates Tesla will be able to offer a model with a 600-plus-mile electric range by 2017. The starting price for the Model X Signature is $132,000. In recent days, images of a six-seat Model X – with two second- row seats instead of three – have appeared in the online configurator. Meanwhile, Tesla has also reportedly already provided sufficient documents for its application for the $2,500 California ZEV rebate, and the application is already on its way to being approved. However, due to the large frontal surface, this vehicle model will consume about 10 percent more energy than other sedans.

Tesla designed its first sport utility vehicle in part to appeal to female drivers, as women buy more than half of the small SUVs in the USA, according to J.D. Power & Associates. Going forward, Musk has said on several occasions he hopes Model X sales will rival or even surpass Model S sales. Musk also reiterated that Tesla’s Autopilot autonomous driving technologies are on schedule for rollout within the next couple years, though he doesn’t expect federal regulators will give the go-ahead for production until at least 2020.

A referral program was also announced by Musk earlier this year.

Tesla confirmed today in a tweet that a live stream of the Model X launch event will be available.