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Maximum term of the deferred compensation arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

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Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

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Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014 Tranches shares	Aug. 31, 2012 USD ($) Tranches shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) milestone shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) Vehicle milestone shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Contractual term of stock options, in years					10 years
Aggregate number of vehicle production \| Vehicle					300,000
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 1,100,000		$ 1,100,000
Stock-based compensation					$ 332,412	$ 246,512
Weighted-average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation, in years					2 years 10 months 25 days
Fourth Tranche [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate number of vehicle production \| Vehicle					100,000
Seventh Tranche [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate number of vehicle production \| Vehicle					200,000
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock option awards granted \| shares		5,274,901
CEO Grant consists of number of vesting tranches \| Tranches		10
Market capitalization		$ 4,000,000
Initial market capitalization		$ 3,200,000
Number of performance milestone achieved \| milestone			8		8
Performance Condition Considered Not Probable Achievement [Member] \| Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 5,700		$ 5,700
Performance Condition Probable of Being Achieved [Member] \| Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense			1,000		$ 1,000
Weighted-average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation, in years					3 months 19 days
First Model X Production Vehicle [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of stock options scheduled to vest upon successful completion of performance objectives					0.25%
12-month period [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of stock options scheduled to vest upon successful completion of performance objectives					0.25%
Aggregate number of vehicle production \| Vehicle					100,000
First Gen III Production Vehicle [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of stock options scheduled to vest upon successful completion of performance objectives					0.25%
Three year period [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of stock options scheduled to vest upon successful completion of performance objectives					0.25%
Gross margin					30.00%
2014 Performance-Based Stock Option Awards [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock option awards granted \| shares	1,073,000
Number of vesting tranches \| Tranches	4
2014 Performance-Based Stock Option Awards [Member] \| Performance Condition Considered Not Probable Achievement [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense			17,100		$ 17,100
Stock-based compensation			500	$ 11,600	6,800	22,800
Performance Shares [Member] \| Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation			$ 1,200	$ 4,600	$ 4,300	$ 14,900
2010 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Underlying outstanding equity awards, shares \| shares			15,014,437		15,014,437
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period, in years					4 years