Tesla Gigafactory Texas: Musk inaugurates the Austin factory

During the “Cyber Rodeo” event, Elon Musk opened the new Tesla factory in Austin (United States), producing Model Y and soon Cybertruck.

A European factory inaugurated in Berlin in March, a record delivery figure in the first quarter, Tesla keeps making announcements. Last night, the American car manufacturer presented its new electric car plant, the Gigafactory Texas, during a live-streamed conference.

End of the California-Texas relocation

Coming on stage wearing a cowboy hat — Texas oblige — Elon Musk made Tesla’s history again. Starting with the Roadster in 2006 co-developed based on Lotus, then Model S, X, 3, and Y, to "bring the S.3.X.Y". He finished the quick summary by saying "that 2/3 of electric cars in the United States have been made by Tesla". He also mentions having pushed the Autopilot automatic driving system, "10 times safer than if you are driving yourself", and that it is "about to revolutionize the world".

Then he discusses relocating the headquarters from Fremont in California to Austin, Texas. Officially "background space shortage, and we needed something big, and there’s nothing better for that than Texas". Unofficially, for personal reasons, contesting California’s Democratic policies.

For example, he refused to implement Covid-19 health measures in his factories in 2020, and blocked all union activities. More Democrat than Republican, he did not fail to criticize recent political decisions on Twitter, where he recently became the major shareholder by buying 9% of the capital.

A Gigafactory Texas for Model Y and Cybertruck

Beyond the new headquarters, Austin now hosts Tesla’s 6th factory. The Gigafactory Texas is 1.17 km long, which Musk compares to 3.5 times the Eiffel Tower. Or a volume of 194 billion hamsters…

He calls this factory "the machine producing machines". The manufacturer would use "the most advanced processes on the planet". In California, plastic, presses, and bodywork are produced on-site, "but in different buildings", except for the battery. The cells, modules, and packs still come from the Nevada site. At “Giga Texas,” everything is condensed into the same building, including new 4680 batteries. Musk even claims that the site will be the largest battery factory in the world.

And it combines the “Giga Press,” a giant press to make the front and rear parts of the Model Y in a single block, rather than small parts reassembled later. A speed, automation, and scale advantage, but repairs could be costly in case of an accident.

This Gigafactory produces the electric SUV Tesla Model Y, with deliveries currently underway. Elon Musk confirms that the electric pickup Cybertruck, shown in November 2019, "will be manufactured there next year". A delay of two years from initial announcements.

Musk and Tesla aim for 20% of the global automotive market

"Despite approaching a million, we account for just under 1% of global automobile production" recalls the CEO "we will try to reach 20%". Is Mr. Musk aiming too high? This would represent 15 to 20 million electric cars per year, twice as many as current leaders Toyota and Volkswagen. "The scale is crucial to make a difference in terms of a sustainable world, so we need to produce many cars and energy storage solutions" adds the boss, talking about his Powerwall and Megapacks solutions.

Despite rumors, no new announcements are made; Musk emphasizes "a large scale", continuing the development of a robotaxi and the android robot Optimus. The latter, which could replace workers, is also expected to "transform the world even more than cars". The Roadster 2 and Semi truck will have to wait, indicating a potential release in 2024. As for the promised $25,000 car made two years ago, it is completely off the horizon now.

It’s a shame because the price of the Model 3 is soaring, almost doubling, now starting at €49,990. This despite Musk promising versions at $35,000 at launch in 2017. Is Tesla becoming an elitist brand?

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