TESLA Model Y – Revolution in Manufacturing

casting 2
Courtesy of Tesla.com

TESLA Model Y – Revolution in Manufacturing. Elon Musk has said for several years that the way to improve efficiencies is to build the machine that makes the machine. Elon has been espousing that one of the legacy things that Tesla will be remembered for is their manufacturing prowess. 

The Model 3 initially was one of the hardest manufacturing challenges that Tesla had to contend with. This was due to several assumptions and processes that were redundant and or too complex for a machine.

So, in recent years Tesla and Elon have spent many hours, days, weeks, and months working to find better ways to manufacture. The outcomes of this work are on display at the Giga Texas Opening.

The introduction of the Model Y being built out of Giga Berlin and the most recently opened Giga Texas is the beginning of the new way to build Electric vehicles with influence from how Matchbox Cars are created.  

Giga Texas Opening

Video Curtesy of Tesla/Youtube

Giga Texas is the newest Factory created by Tesla. This last week saw the opening of the new Giga Texas factory. Texas is a big state and they do everything big, the party that Tesla put on was no exception. 

The scale of the attendees and the size of the building were open for all to see. With drones in the sky and cars on the ground and over 15000 people enjoying the facilities it was by all accounts one of the best parties of the year. 

In attendance was the one and only Sandy Munro. Sandy is known around the globe as a clarion voice regarding the engineering of cars.

He has on several occasions deconstructed vehicles to see how they were built and designed. This has led to some interesting observations and feedback.

Sandy has deconstructed several Tesla’s over the years and Tesla has listened. So, to see him at the Cyber Rodeo (Giga Texas opening) was not a surprise. 

Matchbox influence

casting
Image courtesy of Tesla.com

Matchbox cars have been built for many years by injecting metal into a mold.

This design has for many years been the holy grail for car manufacturing but when scaled always was impossible. 

Elon has been a big believer in taking an idea and going back to first principles. It was this thinking that helped tesla get to a point of trying to create the same process at scale for EV manufacturing. 

TESLA Model Y – Revolution in Manufacturing, The opening of the Giga Texas really puts this on display. As Sandy Munro highlighted in his video, the original vehicles had many parts that made up the front and back ends of the vehicle, as shown it now is one piece.

The benefits include the ability for the piece to be constructed exactly the same every time. When many parts are part of the construction variation can occur this can cause challenges with construction consistency and quality.

The injection mold of the castings is a revolution in saving time and effort. Was it an easy problem to overcome? No, as Elon has said in the presentation at Giga Texas, we asked 6 companies 5 said “no” and the 6th said “maybe”. 

Well, the proof is in the pudding, the production of the Model Y will be a revelation to the industry. 

With the opening of The Giga Berlin and The Giga Texas both have several giga presses that can produce these vehicles. When they ramp up it will become one of the most popular Tesla’s around the world. 

The future of manufacturing. 

  • 3d print metal 1

Recently I came across a story about Metal 3D printing. This printing machine, as shown in the link produces complex and unusual shaped pieces. These pieces could be, in combination with the Giga Press and Castings combined to reduce the production time of vehicles into the future. 

Giga factories will become the heartbeat of the Electric Vehicle Industry. Their sheer size and rethinking of how a factory is constructed only helps to invigorate the people around and an industry that needed a fresh start. 

The Model Y will be the highest selling and most sort after electric vehicle in the coming years. Just as Sandy Munro said Tesla is revolutionizing the car industry and through the change in thinking and acting upon new ideas and innovation helps to make them the leader of the industry 

Dave 

Model Y Coming to Australia !!!!

Model Y almost here
Image Courtesy of Tesla.com

Model Y coming to Australia!!! Where were you when they announced the prices for Model Y?

This week we have seen pandemonium online over the release of the prices for the Model Y!

John Law from Chasingcars.com.au revealed that the prices had been released to the Corporate and industry customers this week. 

Prices Revealed

The prices and the variants being released included

Model Y Single Motor RWD – $67,990

Performance Model Y AWD – $98,172

Missing from the lineup is the Long Range AWD Model Y variant. This omission is not unexpected due to the fact that the long range variant was not released initially when Model 3 was announced. 

These prices are exceptionally good when compared with the current Model 3 prices. 

The base Model 3 and the base Model Y are approximately $4000 different based on current numbers.  However, we must take these numbers cautiously as we are yet to understand what the on-road cost will be and if the prices of the Model Y include the GST. 

2 Years is a long time

Article courtesy of Electrek.co

March 13 2020 the first deliveries of the Model Y occurred in the USA. Soon it will hopefully be Australia’s Turn.

What exciting news though. Model Y coming to Australia!!! The possibility of a new electric Vehicle coming to the market after such a long wait is truly wonderful.

The Model Y was released in the USA two years ago.

Since its release the Model Y has sold in the USA, China and Europe. The vehicle capabilities have been praised including its spaciousness, versatility and functionality for the average family.

Over the last couple of years those that follow me on Twitter will know, and have probably rolled your eyes, at the number of times I have petitioned, asked, enquired, and suggested to Elon musk (CEO of Tesla) to open the configurator for Australia and our neighbors New Zealand.

Unfortunately, those requests have gone unanswered. With the revealing of the prices this may not be far away. 

Australian Market

Map australia
Photo by Joey Csunyo on Unsplash

I have mentioned in my blog “Model Y – 2022 is your Year” , and I still believe this to be true that the Model Y is the perfect electric vehicle for the Australian marketplace.

The higher ride height, the hatch back, the adjustable seats in the back and the ability to have 7 seats are just a few of the features that will appeal to the families of Australia.

Model Y will be well suited to Australia.

If the Model 3 has proven anything, it has established that the Tesla electric vehicles are capable of dealing with the extremes of the Australian environment.

The introduction of the Model Y will only reinforce this belief as it brings with it features that will appeal to the general public even more so.

The current range of the Model Y is based upon current battery technology (i.e., LFP, Nickel/cobalt) technology and not on the new 4680 cell development that Tesla has built and just deployed to their Giga Texas factory. The expected hope is range will become much greater at a lesser cost overtime. 

Australia and by extension New Zealand have been anticipating the arrival of the Tesla Model Y for the last two years, it is truly wonderful to see the signs that the arrival is not too far away. 

Amazing vehicle and technology

I have owned a Tesla Model 3 for the past 6 months and I can say without any doubt that it is, as will the Tesla Model Y be, the best vehicle I have ever owned and driven. 

The features of the vehicle are unexpected and brilliant, surprising, and fun and I have not taken the smile off my face since. 

I know that the Model Y will do the same for those of you who are looking for your next vehicle. The Model Y RWD will suit all needs for any family around town, daily and even for trips away. It will provide a one of the safest vehicles on the road with some of the most advanced technology ever conceived in comparison to other similar vehicles on the road today. 

Software

Furthermore, it doesn’t stop once you buy the vehicle. With Software upgrades and a very active community of boffins who love to share their passion for Tesla you will be accepted into a community that supports each other and looks towards supporting a brighter future for our children. 

Model Y coming to Australia!!! An electric vehicle is more than just a car it is a lifestyle, a passion, and a choice for a better future. 

Dave