The production woes plaguing the Tesla Model 3 are no secret. Question is, when and how will the EV automaker get this major issue under control? According to a Bloomberg report, there is a solution at increasing the Model 3 output rate, specifically for battery production, but there's a bit of a logistical issue. The newly designed automated line for module production is currently in Germany. Ironically, this automated line was designed at Tesla's battery factory in Nevada, but all of the tooling is at Tesla's manufacturing Grohmann unit.
It needs to be taken a part, shipped to the US, and then re-assembled once it arrives. "That's got to be disassembled, brought over to the Gigafactory, and re-assembled and then brought into operation at the Gigafactory. It's not a question of whether it works or not. It's just a question of disassembly, transport and reassembly," said CEO Elon Musk. Of course, Musk makes it sound like this is a fairly easy thing to pull off, and it might be. Then again, there could be unforeseen complications somewhere along the way. But in any case, getting this battery production line stateside is vital in making Model 3 production goals. If you recall, 2018 needs to be the year of the Model 3 in order for Tesla's long-term future to become more stabilized.
The last few months of last year were not good for Model 3 output, but Musk is now aiming to produce 5,000 sedans a week by the end of June. Is that doable? Yes, but all of the pieces of the puzzle need to fit into place. It's not just resolving the battery production line. If you recall, last October Musk described a "production hell" for the Model 3 sedan. There were reports Tesla was experiencing difficulty constructing the Model 3's alloy platform as it is different than both the Model S and Model X's structure. Also unlike those two vehicles, the Model 3 will be built in far larger numbers due to it being the affordable, mainstream Tesla.
Despite everything, Musk remains as optimistic as ever. "If we can send a Roadster to the asteroid belt, we can probably solve Model 3 production," Musk told analysts in a conference call last week.
