The electric Tesla Model S is in production with some 400 vehicles being produced weekly. Thanks to “one of the world’s most advanced production lines.” With only 10 years under their belts, these production numbers are very good even though some 6,000 cars were being made weekly when the plant was run by Toyota and General Motors.
The plant was purchased from Toyota in 2010 and after taking a year to set up equipment, the production on the Model S sedan began in 2012.
The automaker brings in raw materials by the truckload, including the massive rolls of aluminum that are bent, pressed, and formed to create the car. Those lightweight components are assembled by swarm of red robots in an intricate ballet that is mesmerizing to behold.
Wired had a tour of the plant in Fermont, California that South African CEO and co-founder Elon Musk helped create.