One of the distinct features of Tesla's Model X electric SUV is its "Falcon Wing" doors, which swoop up and down just like the bird's wings.
Well, the automaker is taking issue with the German auto parts manufacturer behind the doors and is suing them.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Tesla has filed a lawsuit against Hoerbiger Automotive Comfort Systems LLC, claiming the supplier allegedly misrepresented its ability to design the "Falcon Wing" doors for the Model X, forcing the company to make a last-second change to another supplier and endure production delays.
The lawsuit also wants to stop Hoerbiger from seeking additional payments from Tesla since it cut ties with the supplier in May 2015, after claims that the auto parts manufacturer couldn't produce a "Falcon Wing" doors prototype that met Tesla's engineering expectations.
It's a concerning issue, considering the doors were the highlight of the SUV's signature look — one that helped empower Tesla to give the Model X a price tag of about $81,000.
"We were forced to file this lawsuit after Hoerbiger decided to ignore their contracts with us and instead demanded a large sum of money to which they are not entitled," a Tesla spokesperson told the Journal via email. "We will vigorously prosecute this case."
Tesla contends that it doesn't owe Hoerbiger a penny more than the $3 million it already paid the company before having to hire a new supplier for the doors.
"Tesla incurred millions of dollars in damages, including, but not limited to costs of re-tooling the entire vehicle in order to support a different engineering solution," part of the lawsuit read, as reported by the Journal.
Despite being delayed, the Tesla spokesperson added that "Model X deliveries are in line with the very early stages of our Model X production ramp as we prioritize quality above all else."
