'{{Short description|Tesla, Inc. factory}} {{Use American English|date=July 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox factory | name = Tesla Fremont Factory | image = New Teslas at the factory.jpg | caption = [[Tesla Model S]] vehicles at the Fremont Factory | location = [[Fremont, California]], United States<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance --> | coordinates = {{coord|37|29|41|N|121|56|41|W}} | industry = [[Automotive industry|Automotive]] | products = {{Unbulleted list | [[Tesla Model 3]] | [[Tesla Model S]] | [[Tesla Model X]] | [[Tesla Model Y]] }} | employees = 22,000 | built = 1962 (as [[Fremont Assembly]]) | operated = {{Start date|2010}} | area = {{cvt|0.68|sqmi|km2 acre}} | address = 45500 Fremont Boulevard | owner = [[Tesla, Inc.]] | website = {{URL|tesla.com/fremont-factory}} }} The '''Tesla Fremont Factory''' is an automobile manufacturing plant in [[Fremont, California]], United States,<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance --> operated by [[Tesla, Inc.]] The factory originally opened as General Motors' [[Fremont Assembly]] in 1962, and then was operated by [[New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc]]. (NUMMI), a joint venture of GM and [[Toyota]] from 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kiley |first=David |date=April 2, 2010 |title=Goodbye, NUMMI: How a Plant Changed the Culture of Car-Making |work=Popular Mechanics |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a5514/4350856/ |access-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref> The joint venture ended when [[General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization|GM entered bankruptcy]] in 2009. In 2010, Toyota agreed to sell the plant to Tesla at a significant discount. The plant is the only production site for the [[Tesla Model S|Model S]] and [[Tesla Model X|Model X]] and also produces the [[Tesla Model 3|Model 3]], and [[Tesla Model Y|Model Y]]. In 2023, the Fremont Factory produced nearly 560,000 vehicles and employed over 20,000 people. Tesla says the factory has the capacity to produce up to 100,000 Model S and X vehicles and 550,000 Model 3 and Y vehicles annually.<ref name="Q4 2023 Shareholder Deck">{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2024 |title=Q4 2023 Shareholder Deck |url=https://digitalassets.tesla.com/tesla-contents/image/upload/IR/TSLA-Q4-2023-Update.pdf |access-date=January 24, 2024 |website=Tesla, Inc.}}</ref> == Background == Tesla had planned to build a factory in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], a central location for shipping.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tesla Motors press release – announcement of Albuquerque plant |url=http://teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=257 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406182037/http://www.teslamotors.com/media/press_room.php?id=257 |archive-date=April 6, 2010 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |publisher=Teslamotors.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Severns |first=Dave |title=Tesla Motors blog post regarding Albuquerque decision |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog1/?p=52 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317081628/http://www.teslamotors.com/blog1/?p=52 |archive-date=March 17, 2007 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |publisher=Teslamotors.com}}</ref> Construction was supposed to begin in April 2007, but was canceled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Albuquerque Tribune Editorial: Don't hold your breath on Tesla Motors plant |url=http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/aug/21/editorial-dont-hold-your-breath-tesla-motors-plant/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214022134/http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/aug/21/editorial-dont-hold-your-breath-tesla-motors-plant/ |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |publisher=Abqtrib.com}}</ref> The company later announced a [[greenfield project|greenfield]] factory would be built in nearby [[San Jose, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tesla to build electric car factory in Bay Area – San Jose Mercury News |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9745521 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920174832/http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9745521 |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |website=Mercurynews.com}}</ref> However, the cost of both projects was prohibitive, and the company looked for alternatives. An opportunity presented itself in 2010, [[Toyota]] was looking to sell the NUMMI plant in Fremont. NUMMI had been operated as a joint venture between Toyota and [[General Motors]] from 1984 until [[General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization|GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009]].<ref name="sjbj">{{Cite news |last=Sibley |first=Lisa |date=October 27, 2010 |title=Tesla officially replaces NUMMI in Fremont |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2010/10/27/tesla-officially-replaces-nummi.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228190611/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2010/10/27/tesla-officially-replaces-nummi.html |archive-date=February 28, 2017}}</ref> NUMMI yearly production peaked at 428,633 vehicles in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GM Nummi Plant |url=http://autointell.com/nao_companies/general_motors/gm-manufacturing/gm-nummi/gmnummi.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314051152/http://autointell.com/nao_companies/general_motors/gm-manufacturing/gm-nummi/gmnummi.htm |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2016}}</ref> Prior to NUMMI, the facility was the GM [[Fremont Assembly]] from 1962 to 1982.<ref name="aw2017-03" /> Efforts were made in 2009 to keep the facility in use: the state offered incentives to Toyota, other automakers including Tesla toured the facility, and a stadium was considered, but [[NUMMI#Alternatives to closure|none of them succeeded]]. In 2010 the mayor of Fremont viewed the site as dead.<ref name="WSJ" /> During its 2009 tour, Tesla initially dismissed the NUMMI site for being too big and costly for the then fledgling automaker.<ref name="odell" /> However, the company was able to reach a deal with Toyota to pay $42 million for most of the site,<ref name="Hull20102">{{Cite web |last=Hull |first=Dana |date=September 16, 2010 |title=2010: Tesla gets ready to take over the former NUMMI auto plant in Fremont |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2010/09/16/2010-tesla-gets-ready-to-take-over-the-former-nummi-auto-plant-in-fremont/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502023843/http://www.mercurynews.com/2010/09/16/2010-tesla-gets-ready-to-take-over-the-former-nummi-auto-plant-in-fremont/ |archive-date=May 2, 2017 |access-date=June 5, 2017 |publisher=The Mercury News / Bloomberg |quote=The entire NUMMI facility covers about 370 acres. Tesla is buying 210 acres, a parcel that contains several buildings that have approximately 5.5 million square feet of floor space. NUMMI's existing press line will be taken apart and sent to Toyota's plant in Blue Springs, Miss.}}</ref> significantly under market value.<ref name="San Francisco Business Times">{{Cite news |last=Riddell |first=Lindsay |date=May 20, 2010 |title=Tesla to buy NUMMI plant, build cars with Toyota |publisher=San Francisco Business Times |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/05/17/daily65.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604200259/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/05/17/daily65.html |archive-date=June 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Motavalli">{{Cite news |last=Motavalli |first=Jim |date=May 22, 2010 |title=Some Views of the Toyota-Tesla Deal |work=The New York Times |url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/some-views-of-the-toyota-tesla-deal/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528153154/http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/some-views-of-the-toyota-tesla-deal/ |archive-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> As part of the agreement, Toyota would also purchase $50 million of [[common stock]] when Tesla held its IPO the next month. In exchange, Tesla agreed to partner with Toyota on the "development of electric vehicles, parts, and production system and engineering support." Under the agreement, Tesla would go on to create the electric powertrain for the second-generation [[Toyota RAV4 EV]]. The two companies would later end their partnership in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 3, 2017 |title=Toyota Sells Stake in Tesla |work=IndustryWeek |agency=Bloomberg |url=https://www.industryweek.com/finance/article/22018589/toyota-sells-stake-in-tesla |access-date=June 12, 2021}}</ref> On April 1, 2010, NUMMI produced its last car.<ref name="NUMMI Plant Closure">{{cite web |date=March 31, 2010 |title=NUMMI Plant Closure Ends Toyota-GM Venture |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125430405 |access-date=March 31, 2010 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref> All of the factory equipment was sold off equipment at an auction,<ref name="Maynards2">{{cite web |title=New United Motor Manufacturing Appraisals |url=http://www.equipmentappraisalsandauctions.com/new-united-motor-manufacturing.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613192846/http://www.equipmentappraisalsandauctions.com/new-united-motor-manufacturing.html |archive-date=June 13, 2016 |access-date=June 5, 2017 |work=Maynards}}</ref> with robots and tooling being purchased by Toyota's plants in Kentucky, Texas<ref>{{cite web |last=Ohnsman |first=Alan |date=September 18, 2011 |title=Toyota gave old robots new tools to trim U.S. Camry price 2% |url=http://www.autonews.com/article/20110918/OEM01/309189998/toyota-gave-old-robots-new-tools-to-trim-u.s.-camry-price-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719053238/http://www.autonews.com/article/20110918/OEM01/309189998/toyota-gave-old-robots-new-tools-to-trim-u.s.-camry-price-2 |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |access-date=June 5, 2017 |publisher=[[Automotive News]]/Bloomberg |quote=Along with the production robots transferred to Toyota's Georgetown, Ky., plant that makes most of the Camrys sold in North America, Nummi equipment was also acquired by Toyota's San Antonio plant and electric-car maker Tesla Motors Inc.}}</ref> and Mississippi.<ref name="Hull20102" /> NUMMI sold some equipment to Tesla for $15 million,<ref>{{cite web |date=August 20, 2010 |title=Tesla Buys Nummi Assets |url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/10841041/1/tesla-buys-nummi-assets.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014211308/http://www.thestreet.com/story/10841041/1/tesla-buys-nummi-assets.html |archive-date=October 14, 2015 |access-date=June 5, 2017}}</ref> a significant discount compared to new equipment.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2011 |title=Tesla Motors Reports Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2010 Results |work=[[TheStreet]] |url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/11009706/1/tesla-motors-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2010-results.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727000648/https://www.thestreet.com/story/11009706/1/tesla-motors-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2010-results.html |archive-date=July 27, 2018}}</ref> Tesla officially took possession of the site on October 19, 2010,<ref name="WSJ">{{Cite news |last=PUI-WING TAM |date=October 21, 2010 |title=Idle Fremont Plant Gears Up for Tesla |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704300604575554662948527140 |url-status=live |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316123930/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704300604575554662948527140 |archive-date=March 16, 2015 |quote=Parts of the Fremont facility will be mothballed since Tesla is only using a fraction of the space. "When Nummi said it would close, the land was dead," says Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman. When Tesla announced its Nummi deal in May, he says, "the land became alive" again}}</ref> and started work inside on October 27.<ref name="tesla factory release">{{Cite press release |title=Tesla Motors Opens Tesla Factory – Home of the Model S |date=October 27, 2010 |publisher=Tesla Motors |url=http://ir.teslamotors.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=523911 |access-date=July 18, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414064729/http://ir.teslamotors.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=523911 |archive-date=April 14, 2016}}</ref> The state of California awarded Tesla $15 million in tax credits if employment and investment goals were met.<ref name="taxrebate1">{{Cite web |last=Jerry Hirsch |date=May 30, 2015 |title=Three companies, $4.9 billion in government support |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-fi-hy-musk-subsidies-box-20150530-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025213157/http://www.latimes.com/local/la-fi-hy-musk-subsidies-box-20150530-story.html |archive-date=October 25, 2015 |access-date=October 29, 2015 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.business.ca.gov/Portals/0/CA%20Competes/Docs/Agreements/FY1415P3Large/Tesla%20Motors,%20Inc.%20-%20CCTC%20Agreement.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229142822/http://www.business.ca.gov/Portals/0/CA%20Competes/Docs/Agreements/FY1415P3Large/Tesla%20Motors,%20Inc.%20-%20CCTC%20Agreement.pdf |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref> The first retail delivery of the Tesla Model S took place during a special event at the factory on June 22, 2012.<ref name="1stDelivery">{{Cite news |last=John Boudreau |date=June 22, 2012 |title=In a Silicon Valley milestone, Tesla Motors begins delivering Model S electric cars |work=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_20919722/silicon-valley-milestone-tesla-motors-begins-delivering-model?refresh=no |url-status=live |access-date=June 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124040454/http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_20919722/silicon-valley-milestone-tesla-motors-begins-delivering-model?refresh=no |archive-date=November 24, 2012}}</ref> == Facilities == The plant is located in the [[Fremont, California#South Fremont District|South Fremont District]] next to the [[Mud Slough]] between the [[Warm Springs / South Fremont (BART station)|Warm Springs BART station]]<ref name="warmsprings">{{Cite news |last=Donato-Weinstein |first=Nathan |date=June 15, 2016 |title=Toll Brothers buys land near Fremont Warm Springs BART station |work=Silicon Valley Business Journal |location=US |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2016/06/15/toll-brothers-buys-big-fremont-site-near-bart.html |access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> and the [[California State Route 262]] connecting Interstate 880 and Interstate 680. Tesla only purchased 210 of the 370 acres owned by NUMMI.<ref name="Hull20102" /> When Tesla first moved into the plant, it was about 10 times the size the company needed<ref name="odell">{{Cite news |last=O'Dell |first=John |date=March 11, 2010 |title=Would-Be EV Maker's 'Plan' to Save NUMMI Auto Plant a Long Shot at Best |publisher=Green Car Advisor |url=https://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-archive/2010/03/would-be-ev-makers-plan-to-save-nummi-auto-plant-a-long-shot-at-best.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315144830/http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/03/would-be-ev-makers-plan-to-save-nummi-auto-plant-a-long-shot-at-best.html |archive-date=March 15, 2010 |quote=Tesla had been wooed as a NUMMI tenant by politicians and economic development people .. But Tesla – which has all of about 550 employees and plans to ramp up to around 2,000 when it starts building its next vehicle in 2012, the Model S electric sedan – took a look at the costs involved and rejected the idea out of hand. The plant, said Straubel, is about 10 times the size of a facility Tesla would need to build even 20,000 cars a year.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2019 |title=Tesla Inside Out — Tesla History From 7-Year Insider |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2019/11/09/tesla-inside-out-tesla-history-from-7-year-insider/ |website=CleanTechnica |quote=2012, he noted how empty and “post-apocalyptic” the Fremont factory seemed. Tesla was only using about 10% of the space}}</ref><ref name="loveday2014" /> and much of the activity at the site was concentrated inside the {{convert|5500000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} main final assembly building.<ref name="WSJ" /> In addition to the equipment Tesla purchased from NUMMI, the company also purchased a [[Schuler Group|Schuler]] hydraulic stamping press from a Detroit-based auto industry supplier, worth $50 million new, for $6 million, including shipping costs.<ref name="Can Tesla become a bigger company with Model S electric car? That's Elon Musk's gamble">{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2011 |title=Can Tesla become a bigger company with Model S electric car? That's Elon Musk's gamble |url=http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/can-tesla-become-bigger-company-model-s-electric-car-thats-elon-musks-gamble |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134808/http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/can-tesla-become-bigger-company-model-s-electric-car-thats-elon-musks-gamble |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=April 26, 2015 |website=Autoweek.com |publisher=Autoweek}}</ref> Various parts of the NUMMI plant were planned to be modified to support Tesla vehicle production. For example, the passenger vehicle paint equipment was to be extensively modified through late 2011;<ref name="WSJ" />{{update after|2013|7|25}} converted from solvents to [[BASF]] water-based paint.<ref name="Can Tesla become a bigger company with Model S electric car? That's Elon Musk's gamble" /> Two [[Electrostatic coating|paint lines]] (one car body, one component) were constructed from 2015.<!--capacity unclear--><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Tesla Motors building the world's most advanced paint shop – with Eisenmann technology |date=March 31, 2015 |publisher=Eisenmann |url=http://www.eisenmann.com/en/media/press/press-releases/2015/2015_03_31_Tesla_Motors.html |access-date=October 13, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405235244/http://www.eisenmann.com/en/media/press/press-releases/2015/2015_03_31_Tesla_Motors.html |archive-date=April 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 4, 2016 |title=Tesla Motors Model 3 Equipment "Already Online" at Fremont Factory |work=The Country Caller |url=http://www.thecountrycaller.com/38717-tesla-motors-inc-model-3-equipment-already-online-at-fremont-factory/ |url-status=dead |access-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013221553/http://www.thecountrycaller.com/38717-tesla-motors-inc-model-3-equipment-already-online-at-fremont-factory/ |archive-date=October 13, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Paint Shop Detection and Suppression Systems – 3S Incorporated |url=http://www.3s-incorporated.com/projects/project/tesla-motors-paint-shop |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013223247/http://www.3s-incorporated.com/projects/project/tesla-motors-paint-shop |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016}}</ref> By 2014, half of the factory area was in use.<ref name="loveday2014">{{Cite web |last=Loveday |first=Eric |date=April 28, 2014 |title=Tesla Motors Fremont Factory Usage Now Almost At 50% |url=https://insideevs.com/news/321993/tesla-motors-fremont-factory-usage-now-almost-at-50/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109131020/https://insideevs.com/news/321993/tesla-motors-fremont-factory-usage-now-almost-at-50/ |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |access-date=November 9, 2019 |website=InsideEVs |language=en}}</ref> The floors, walls and ceiling are painted white with skylights and high-efficiency lighting to create an environment similar to a laboratory,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tesla Factory |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/factory |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305131652/http://www.teslamotors.com/factory |archive-date=March 5, 2015 |access-date=March 8, 2015 |website=Teslamotors.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=Brand New Tesla Factory |url=http://www.natgeotv.com/ca/megafactories/videos/brand-new-tesla-factory |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331141526/https://www.natgeotv.com/ca/megafactories/videos/brand-new-tesla-factory |archive-date=March 31, 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2017 <!-- mirror https://www.tesla.com/videos/national-geographic-megafactories-trailer --> |website=National Geographic}}</ref> and the production environment is cleaner and quieter than at NUMMI.<ref name="aw2017-03">{{Cite magazine |last=Martin |first=Murilee |date=March 8, 2017 |title=We visit the Tesla Factory, formerly Fremont Assembly and NUMMI |url=http://autoweek.com/article/tesla/where-el-caminos-and-vibes-were-born-new-teslas-are-built-california |url-status=live |magazine=[[Autoweek]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329211120/http://autoweek.com/article/tesla/where-el-caminos-and-vibes-were-born-new-teslas-are-built-california |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |access-date=April 8, 2017 |quote=I spent a fair amount of time at NUMMI, and it seemed like a rackety, chaotic place on the production line .. Fast-forward 28 years, and the same facility is a brightly-lit, no-earplugs-needed, high-tech operation}}</ref> [[Union Pacific Railroad]] had tracks running into the plant<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mission/Warren Area Improvements |url=http://www.vta.org/bart/missionwarren |access-date=July 25, 2016 |publisher=Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Donato-Weinstein |first=Nathan |date=July 19, 2013 |title=Tesla Motors buys test track in 35-acre deal |work=Silicon Valley Business Journal |location=US |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/07/19/tesla-buys-big-chunk-of-fremont-land.html |access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> which had been used during NUMMI-era to carry finished cars.<ref name="2015ecP8">{{Cite news |date=May 7, 2015 |title=Tesla Motors (TSLA) Earnings Report: Q1 2015 Conference Call Transcript |page=8 |work=TheStreet |url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/13142191/8/tesla-motors-tsla-earnings-report-q1-2015-conference-call-transcript.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511010027/http://www.thestreet.com/story/13142191/8/tesla-motors-tsla-earnings-report-q1-2015-conference-call-transcript.html |archive-date=May 11, 2015}}</ref> All rail connections were subsequently removed, with the sidings used for more factory facilities. In July 2013, Tesla acquired an adjacent 35-acre property from Union Pacific Railroad for a test track.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Avalos |first=George |date=July 19, 2013 |title=Tesla buys land for test track in Fremont |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/07/19/tesla-buys-land-for-test-track-in-fremont/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217202757/https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/07/19/tesla-buys-land-for-test-track-in-fremont/ |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2018 |website=The Mercury News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Jay |title=Picture (s) Of The Day: Tesla's Test Track In Fremont In Action |url=https://insideevs.com/picture-s-day-teslas-test-track-fremont-action/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218090139/https://insideevs.com/picture-s-day-teslas-test-track-fremont-action/ |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2018 |website=insideevs.com}}</ref> Tesla built a casting foundry in [[Lathrop, California|Lathrop]] in 2015 supporting the Fremont production,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loveday |first=Eric |date=April 22, 2014 |title=Tesla Acquires 431,000 Square Foot Facility In Lathrop, California – Begins "Manufacturing Modifications" Of Site |url=https://insideevs.com/tesla-acquires-431000-square-foot-facility-lathrop-california-begins-manufacturing-modifications-site/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826090923/https://insideevs.com/tesla-acquires-431000-square-foot-facility-lathrop-california-begins-manufacturing-modifications-site/ |archive-date=August 26, 2018 |access-date=November 9, 2019 |website=InsideEVs |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGHsDqwSY28 |title=Elon Musk is ecstatic about Powerwall demand – Tesla Q1 2015 Earnings call (2015) AUDIO}} at 1h02m</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 7, 2015 |title=Tesla Motors (TSLA) Earnings Report: Q1 2015 Conference Call Transcript |page=12 |work=TheStreet |url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/13142191/12/tesla-motors-tsla-earnings-report-q1-2015-conference-call-transcript.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511004338/http://www.thestreet.com/story/13142191/12/tesla-motors-tsla-earnings-report-q1-2015-conference-call-transcript.html |archive-date=May 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2015 |title=Tesla Motors (TSLA) Elon Reeve Musk on Q1 2015 Results – Earnings Call Transcript |url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/3151236-tesla-motors-tsla-elon-reeve-musk-on-q1-2015-results-earnings-call-transcript |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013223206/http://seekingalpha.com/article/3151236-tesla-motors-tsla-elon-reeve-musk-on-q1-2015-results-earnings-call-transcript |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=May 15, 2015 |website=Seeking Alpha}}</ref> and leased 1.3 million sq ft of warehouses in nearby [[Livermore, California|Livermore]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Scott |date=March 24, 2017 |title=Tesla seals the deal on East Bay's largest industrial lease ever |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2017/03/23/real-deals-industrial-tesla-at-oaks-logistics.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613160747/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2017/03/23/real-deals-industrial-tesla-at-oaks-logistics.html |archive-date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 15, 2017 |quote=It leased 1.3 million square feet spread across three buildings}}</ref> In 2016, there were 4,500 parking spaces,<ref name="FremontMasterPlan" /> and Tesla purchased a neighboring 25-acre site<ref name="sfc2016-10-07" /> from [[Lennar]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 29, 2016 |title=Lennar plans huge R&D, housing complex at Warm Springs 'innovation district' near Tesla plant in Fremont |work=[[American City Business Journals]] |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2016/04/29/warm-springs-district-fremont-lennar-homes-office.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013105227/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/print-edition/2016/04/29/warm-springs-district-fremont-lennar-homes-office.html |archive-date=October 13, 2016}}</ref> In August 2017, Tesla won approval from the Fremont City Council to double the size of the facility with about 4.6 million new square feet of space.<ref name="eastbaytimes.com">{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Tesla factory launches expansion that could double its size |url=http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/08/10/tesla-factory-launches-expansion-that-could-double-its-size/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821171220/http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/08/10/tesla-factory-launches-expansion-that-could-double-its-size/ |archive-date=August 21, 2017 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |website=East Bay Times}}</ref> Tesla also planned to expand production capacity five-fold to 500,000 vehicles per year by 2018,<ref name="eastbaytimes.com" /> or 10,000 units per week.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stumpf |first=Rob |title=Tesla Continues Growth to Double its Fremont Plant in Size |language=en-US |work=The Drive |url=http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/13594/tesla-continues-growth-to-double-its-fremont-plant-in-size |url-status=live |access-date=August 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821172851/http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/13594/tesla-continues-growth-to-double-its-fremont-plant-in-size |archive-date=August 21, 2017}}</ref> As of early 2019, the facility has {{convert|511000|m2|ft2|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} of floor space.<ref name="TSLA2018-10K">{{Cite web |title=Tesla Inc. 2018 Annual Report (10-K) |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data//1318605/000156459019003165/tsla-10k_20181231.htm#ITEM_2_PROPERTIES |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815181256/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1318605/000156459019003165/tsla-10k_20181231.htm#ITEM_2_PROPERTIES |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |access-date=October 11, 2021}}</ref> == Employees == Tesla started production with 1,000 workers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=David R. |date=June 22, 2012 |title=Tesla starts delivery out of former Nummi plant |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Tesla-starts-delivery-out-of-former-Nummi-plant-3653530.php |url-status=live |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210025408/http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Tesla-starts-delivery-out-of-former-Nummi-plant-3653530.php |archive-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> By 2013, this had risen to 3,000,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July 16, 2013 |title=Peek Inside Tesla's Robotic Factory |url=https://www.wired.com/2013/07/tesla-plant-video/ |url-status=live |magazine=Wired |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181918/http://www.wired.com/2013/07/tesla-plant-video/ |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2014}}</ref> and to 6,000 people in June 2016.<ref name="employees">{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Angela |date=June 9, 2016 |title=Tesla Motors Inc Workers Being Contacted by UAW For Union Formation |work=The Country Caller |location=US |url=http://www.thecountrycaller.com/40182-tesla-motors-tsla-workers-being-contacted-by-uaw-for-union-formation/ |url-status=dead |access-date=July 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716082915/http://www.thecountrycaller.com/40182-tesla-motors-tsla-workers-being-contacted-by-uaw-for-union-formation/ |archive-date=July 16, 2016}}</ref> In 2016, preparing for Model 3 production, Tesla planned to increase their work force to about 9,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geha |first=Joseph |date=December 8, 2016 |title=Fremont: City Council approves major Tesla facility expansion plan |url=http://www.siliconvalley.com/2016/12/08/fremont-city-council-approves-major-tesla-facility-expansion-plan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209175117/http://www.siliconvalley.com/2016/12/08/fremont-city-council-approves-major-tesla-facility-expansion-plan/ |archive-date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=December 9, 2016 |website=Silicon Valley}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2016 |title=Video: Planning Commission Meeting, December 6, 2016. Time 1:40:20 and 2:16 |url=https://fremontca.viebit.com/player.php?hash=agZlS6YYsCie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118135639/https://fremontca.viebit.com/player.php?hash=agZlS6YYsCie |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref><ref name="FremontMasterPlan">[http://www.sfchronicle.com/file/178/7/1787-_16-0830%20Tesla%20Master%20Plan%20Final%20copy.pdf Master plan Tesla, Warm Springs. Summer 2016] [https://web.archive.org/web/20161008144132/http://www.sfchronicle.com/file/178/7/1787-_16-0830%20Tesla%20Master%20Plan%20Final%20copy.pdf Archive]</ref><ref name="sfc2016-10-07">{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2016 |title=Tesla's new long-range plan could double size of Fremont factory |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/New-Tesla-plan-could-double-size-of-Fremont-9936003.php |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008055509/http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/New-Tesla-plan-could-double-size-of-Fremont-9936003.php |archive-date=October 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2016 |title=A Gigafactory, California Style? Tesla Seeks To Double Size of US Auto Plant |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2016/10/07/a-gigafactory-california-style-tesla-seeks-to-double-size-of-us-auto-plant/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114192638/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2016/10/07/a-gigafactory-california-style-tesla-seeks-to-double-size-of-us-auto-plant/ |archive-date=November 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 13, 2016 |title=Fremont Planning Commission Agenda |url=http://fremontcityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1338&Inline=True |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009202835/http://fremontcityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1338&Inline=True |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=January 17, 2017 |publisher=Fremont Planning Commission |quote=File size=64 MB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2016 |title=Video: Planning Commission Meeting, October 27, 2016. Time 10:40 to 58:40 |url=https://fremontca.viebit.com/player.php?hash=IKJWDr1IEupJ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118140018/https://fremontca.viebit.com/player.php?hash=IKJWDr1IEupJ |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> In fall of 2017, Tesla employed some 10,000 at the Fremont plant,<ref name="SJ Merc Oct. 2017 hundreds fired after performance reviews">{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Louis |date=October 13, 2017 |title=Tesla fires hundreds after company-wide performance reviews |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/13/4819750/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614141036/https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/13/4819750/ |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |website=The Mercury News}}</ref> a number still being shared in June 2018.<ref name="SJ Merc June 2018 racism lawsuit">{{Cite web |last=Baron |first=Ethan |date=June 4, 2018 |title=Tesla fails in bid to push racism lawsuit into arbitration |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/04/tesla-fails-in-bid-to-push-racism-lawsuit-into-arbitration/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205070116/https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/04/tesla-fails-in-bid-to-push-racism-lawsuit-into-arbitration/ |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |website=The Mercury News}}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, the factory employed about 22,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Tesla Factory |url=https://www.tesla.com/factory |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628005146/https://www.tesla.com/factory |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |website=Tesla}}</ref> In addition to Tesla employees, the company uses contractors for various functions. In May 2018, Elon Musk, in an apparent goal of reducing dead weight and raising efficiency and quality within its operation, decided to cut contractors and sub-contractors, ordering staff to justify and personally vouch for contractors worth keeping.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dellinger |first=AJ |date=May 6, 2018 |title=Tesla Will Lock Out Contractors on Monday Unless Employees Vouch For Them |url=https://gizmodo.com/tesla-will-lock-out-contractors-on-monday-unless-employ-1825812405 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604224207/https://gizmodo.com/tesla-will-lock-out-contractors-on-monday-unless-employ-1825812405 |archive-date=June 4, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref><ref name="Elektrek May 2018 contractor justification">{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=May 6, 2018 |title=Tesla starts brutal review of contractors, firing everyone that is not vouched for by an employee |url=https://electrek.co/2018/05/06/tesla-brutal-review-contractors-firing-vouching-employee/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608171624/https://electrek.co/2018/05/06/tesla-brutal-review-contractors-firing-vouching-employee/ |archive-date=June 8, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |website=[[Electrek]]}}</ref> == Production == <!--add production curve--> When Tesla purchased the Fremont Factory, it was preparing to build the [[Tesla Model S]], a full-sized luxury sedan. Previously the company had assembled its Roadster in an old [[Chevrolet]] dealership in Menlo Park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gulker |first=Chris |date=2010-09-28 |title=Menlo Park's only auto factory assembles $100,000 cars |url=https://inmenlo.com/2010/09/28/menlo-parks-only-auto-factory-assembles-100000-cars/ |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=InMenlo |language=en-US}}</ref> However the Roadster bodies came to California as [[Glider (automobiles)|gliders]] after being built by Lotus Cars in England.<ref name="SF_Chrono">{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=David R. |title=Remember the Roadster? Tesla started building cars 10 years ago |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Remember-the-Roadster-Tesla-started-building-12759640.php |url-status=live |access-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516220841/https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Remember-the-Roadster-Tesla-started-building-12759640.php |archive-date=May 16, 2021}}</ref><ref name="InMenlo">{{cite news |last1=Gulker |first1=Chris |title=Menlo Park's only auto factory assembles $100,000 cars |url=https://inmenlo.com/2010/09/28/menlo-parks-only-auto-factory-assembles-100000-cars/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802184111/https://inmenlo.com/2010/09/28/menlo-parks-only-auto-factory-assembles-100000-cars/ |archive-date=August 2, 2021}}</ref> To learn the skills necessary to create vehicles from scratch, in 2010, Tesla started hand-assembly of 20 Model S vehicles at its "alpha workshop" inside its Palo Alto headquarters building. In 2011, Tesla transitioned to 50 "beta builds",<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2011 |title=PHOTOS: Inside Tesla's Model S Alpha Workshop |url=https://gigaom.com/2011/03/17/photos-inside-teslas-model-s-alpha-workshop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204205900/https://gigaom.com/2011/03/17/photos-inside-teslas-model-s-alpha-workshop/ |archive-date=December 4, 2015 |access-date=June 15, 2017 |website=gigaom.com}}</ref> production-validation vehicles built entirely at the Fremont Factory. These cars would also be used for system integration, engineering testing, and federal crash-testing and certification.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Squatriglia |first=Chuck |date=January 6, 2011 |title=Tesla Wants Some Engineering Cred |work=[[Wired.com]] |url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/01/tesla-wants-some-engineering-cred |url-status=live |access-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301112313/http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/01/tesla-wants-some-engineering-cred |archive-date=March 1, 2014}}</ref> Tesla expected to produce about 5,000 Model S sedans in 2012, with production ramping up to 20,000 in 2013 if necessary.<ref name="bloomberg">{{Cite news |last=Ohnsman |first=Alan |date=March 7, 2010 |title=Tesla Model S Assembly to Begin With Highest-Priced Version |work=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-07/tesla-says-model-s-production-to-begin-with-highest-priced-model.html |url-status=dead |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311153747/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-07/tesla-says-model-s-production-to-begin-with-highest-priced-model.html |archive-date=March 11, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 7, 2011 |title=Tesla Model S assembly to begin with highest-priced version |work=Automotive News |url=http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170102/ANE/161219895 |url-status=live |access-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109132511/http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170102/ANE/161219895 |archive-date=January 9, 2017}}</ref> The first retail delivery of the Model S took place during a special event held at the Tesla Factory on June 22, 2012.<ref name="1stDelivery" /> Production grew from 15 to 20 cars completed/week in August 2012<ref name="InsideTesla">{{Cite web |last=Blankenship |first=George |date=August 21, 2012 |title=Inside Tesla |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/inside-tesla-082112 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725014711/http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/inside-tesla-082112 |archive-date=July 25, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2012 |publisher=Tesla Motors}}</ref> to over 200 by November 5<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tesla Motors |date=November 5, 2012 |title=Tesla Motors, Inc. – Third Quarter 2012 Shareholder Letter |url=http://ir.teslamotors.com/secfiling.cfm?filingID=1193125-12-450383&CIK=1318605 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502145601/http://ir.teslamotors.com/secfiling.cfm?filingID=1193125-12-450383&CIK=1318605 |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |access-date=December 1, 2012 |publisher=Tesla Motors}}</ref> and 400 by late December.<ref name="Sales2012">{{Cite web |last=Domenick Yoney |date=February 20, 2013 |title=Tesla delivered 2,650 Model S EVs last year, Musk confident of profit in Q1 and beyond |url=http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/tesla-delivered-2-650-model-s-evs-last-year-musk-confident-of-p/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417062435/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/tesla-delivered-2-650-model-s-evs-last-year-musk-confident-of-p/ |archive-date=April 17, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2013 |publisher=Autoblog}} Around 2,650 Model S cars were delivered in the U.S. during 2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael Graham Richard |date=January 30, 2013 |title=Tesla Reaches 20,000 Unit Production Rate Annually for Model S |url=http://www.treehugger.com/cars/teslas-factory-reaches-20000-model-s-year-run-rate.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303043924/http://www.treehugger.com/cars/teslas-factory-reaches-20000-model-s-year-run-rate.html |archive-date=March 3, 2017 |access-date=February 5, 2013 |website=treehugger.com}}</ref> In late December Tesla revised their 2012 delivery projections down to 2,500 cars.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 21, 2012 |title=Make Way for Kilowatts: A Growing-Up Year for Plug-Ins |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/automobiles/a-growing-up-year-for-plug-ins.html?_r=0 |url-status=live |access-date=December 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215102816/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/automobiles/a-growing-up-year-for-plug-ins.html?_r=0 |archive-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref> Deliveries reached 6,892 units in the last three months of 2013.<ref name="Tesla4Q2013">{{Cite news |last=Ashlee Vance |author-link=Ashlee Vance |date=February 19, 2014 |title=Tesla's Stock Remains Electric on Higher Sales Forecast |work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-19/teslas-stock-remains-electric-on-higher-sales-forecast |url-status=dead |access-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110084435/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-19/teslas-stock-remains-electric-on-higher-sales-forecast |archive-date=January 10, 2015}}</ref> In December 2013, California announced it would give Tesla a US$34.7 million tax break to expand production by an estimated 35,000 vehicles annually from its Fremont, California plant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antony Ingram |date=December 18, 2013 |title=Tesla To Add Production Capacity For 35,000 More Electric Cars |url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089205_tesla-to-add-production-capacity-for-35000-more-electric-cars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923003414/http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089205_tesla-to-add-production-capacity-for-35000-more-electric-cars |archive-date=September 23, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2013 |website=greencarreports.com}}</ref> Tesla announced that production was expected to climb from 600 cars per week in early 2014 to about 1,000 units per week by year-end.<ref name="Tesla2013Sales">{{Cite news |last=Jerry Hirsch |date=February 19, 2014 |title=Tesla Motors ends year with higher sales but still a big loss |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hy-fourth-quarter-loss-telsa-20140219,0,6840087,full.story |url-status=dead |access-date=February 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124104551/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hy-fourth-quarter-loss-telsa-20140219-story.html |archive-date=January 24, 2016}} ''A total of 22,477 Model S sedans were sold in 2013.''</ref> Tesla produced 7,535 units during the first quarter of 2014 and expected to produce 8,500 to 9,000 cars in the second quarter of 2014. As of early May 2014, the production rate was 700 cars per week.<ref name="Letter1Q2014">{{Cite web |last=Tesla Motors |date=May 7, 2014 |title=First Quarter 2014 Shareholder Letter |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/3152877106x0xS1193125-14-187459/1318605/filing.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053451/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/3152877106x0xS1193125-14-187459/1318605/filing.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2014 |publisher=[[Tesla Motors]]}}</ref> {{asof|2015}}, about 1,000 cars were made per week,<ref name="te2015-05-02">{{Cite news |last=Gordon-Bloomfield |first=Nikki |date=May 6, 2015 |title=Tesla Motors Posts Q1 2015 Losses, Due to Strong Dollar, High Capital Expenditures. Hits 1,000 Car/Week Model S Production |work=Transport Evolved |url=https://transportevolved.com/2015/05/06/tesla-motors-posts-q1-2015-losses-due-to-strong-dollar-high-capital-expenditures-hits-1000-carweek-model-s-production/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613185013/https://transportevolved.com/2015/05/06/tesla-motors-posts-q1-2015-losses-due-to-strong-dollar-high-capital-expenditures-hits-1000-carweek-model-s-production/ |archive-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="engadget">{{Cite web |last=Murph |first=Darren |date=May 20, 2010 |title=Tesla lands sudden deal with Toyota, will build Model S sedan in Fremont NUMMI plant |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/tesla-lands-sudden-deal-with-toyota-will-build-model-s-sedan-in/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118225702/https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/20/tesla-lands-sudden-deal-with-toyota-will-build-model-s-sedan-in/ |archive-date=November 18, 2017 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |publisher=Engadget}}</ref> mostly to pre-orders.<ref name="2015ecP8" /> Musk says they averaged around 20 changes to the S per week.<!--continuous development--><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Reynolds |first=Kim |date=November 3, 2014 |title=2015 Tesla Model S P85D First Test |url=http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1411_2015_tesla_model_s_p85d_first_test/ |url-status=live |journal=Motor Trend |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507032512/http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1411_2015_tesla_model_s_p85d_first_test/ |archive-date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=May 15, 2015}}</ref> Production of the [[Tesla Model X|Model X]] joined the Model S during 2015,<ref name="2015ecP15">{{Cite news |date=May 7, 2015 |title=Tesla Motors (TSLA) Earnings Report: Q1 2015 Conference Call Transcript |page=15 |work=TheStreet |url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/13142191/15/tesla-motors-tsla-earnings-report-q1-2015-conference-call-transcript.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511010002/http://www.thestreet.com/story/13142191/15/tesla-motors-tsla-earnings-report-q1-2015-conference-call-transcript.html |archive-date=May 11, 2015}}</ref> following a short reconfiguration of the production line in July 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2014 |title=Tesla idles Fremont production line for Model X upgrade |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_26188834/tesla-idles-fremont-plant-model-x-suv-upgrade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413221145/http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_26188834/tesla-idles-fremont-plant-model-x-suv-upgrade |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2014 |website=San Jose Mercury}}</ref> The first Model X that didn't need corrections was made in April<!--29--> 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blanco |first=Sebastion |date=May 5, 2016 |title=With Model 3, Tesla will approach manufacturing in a new way |work=Autoblog |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2016/05/05/tesla-model-3-manufacturing-process/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708060207/http://www.autoblog.com/2016/05/05/tesla-model-3-manufacturing-process/ |archive-date=July 8, 2016}}</ref> Tesla moved some of [[Overhead crane|the equipment]] to their [[Tilburg]] final assembly plant in the [[Netherlands]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Field |first=Kyle |date=December 19, 2015 |title=Tantalizing Tour of Tesla in Tilburg |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2015/12/19/tantalizing-tour-tesla-tilburg/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109022521/https://cleantechnica.com/2015/12/19/tantalizing-tour-tesla-tilburg/ |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |access-date=January 8, 2017 |website=CleanTechnica}}</ref> On July 2, 2015, Tesla announced that it had delivered a total of 21,537 vehicles in the first half of 2015. All vehicles were manufactured at the Fremont plant.<ref name="tesla2015q2">{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2015 |title=Tesla Delivers 11,507 Vehicles in Q2 of 2015 |url=http://ir.teslamotors.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=920434 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050921/http://ir.teslamotors.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=920434 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=July 8, 2015 |publisher=Tesla Motors}}</ref> In May 2016 Tesla raised $1.46 billion in stock, of which $1.26 billion is to prepare production of the [[Tesla Model 3|Model 3]] scheduled for late 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lampert |first=Fred |date=May 6, 2016 |title=Tesla's new Model 3 production plan will optimize access to the federal tax credit |work=Electrek |url=http://electrek.co/2016/05/06/tesla-model-3-production-plan-federal-tax-credit/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917024147/https://electrek.co/2016/05/06/tesla-model-3-production-plan-federal-tax-credit/ |archive-date=September 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lampert |first=Fred |date=May 16, 2016 |title=Tesla applied for a $106 million tax break on $1.26 billion expansion of Fremont Factory for the Model 3 |work=Electrek |url=http://electrek.co/2016/06/16/tesla-106-million-tax-break-expansion-fremont-factory-model-3/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917031028/https://electrek.co/2016/06/16/tesla-106-million-tax-break-expansion-fremont-factory-model-3/ |archive-date=September 17, 2016}}</ref> Changing from serially producing the Model S and X to the [[mass production]] of Model 3 is viewed by experts as a significant step.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogg |first=Rachael |date=July 26, 2016 |title=Tesla's supply chain set for a surge |url=http://automotivelogistics.media/intelligence/teslas-supply-chain-set-surge |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220194902/http://automotivelogistics.media/intelligence/teslas-supply-chain-set-surge |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |website=Automotive Logistics |quote=Getting from something like 50,000 to 500,000 units is a big, big step}}</ref> Tesla stated in May 2016 that it does not have that capability and needs to acquire it,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogg |first=Rachael |date=May 11, 2016 |title=Tesla warns supply chain issues could scupper its growth plans |url=http://automotivelogistics.media/news/tesla-warns-supply-chain-issues-could-scupper-its-growth-plans |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220195112/http://automotivelogistics.media/news/tesla-warns-supply-chain-issues-could-scupper-its-growth-plans |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |website=Automotive Logistics |quote=it has no experience in manufacturing vehicles at the volumes anticipated for the Model 3.. ..will need to develop “efficient, automated, low-cost manufacturing capabilities, processes and supply chains necessary to support such volumes”}}</ref> which it partly did with the acquisition of Grohmann Automation in 2016<ref name="Grohmann2">{{Cite web |last=Tredway |first=Gareth |date=November 8, 2016 |title=Tesla buys automated manufacturing specialist Grohmann |url=http://automotivelogistics.media/news/tesla-buys-automated-manufacturing-specialist-grohmann-engineering |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220194319/http://automotivelogistics.media/news/tesla-buys-automated-manufacturing-specialist-grohmann-engineering |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |website=Automotive Logistics}}</ref> and purchase of mass production equipment. Whereas the Roadster was delayed by 9 months, the Model S more than six months, and the Model X more than 18 months,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogg |first=Rachael |date=May 6, 2016 |title=Tesla: ramping up and stepping down |url=http://automotivelogistics.media/news/tesla-ramping-up-and-stepping-down |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517142449/http://automotivelogistics.media/news/tesla-ramping-up-and-stepping-down |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |website=Automotive Logistics}}</ref> analysts estimated in December 2016 that the Model 3 production preparation was on schedule for the second half of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=December 20, 2016 |title=Tesla Model 3 on track for H2 2017, Model X production 'inconsistent', says TSLA analyst after meeting with management |url=https://electrek.co/2016/12/20/tesla-model-3-on-track-2017-tesla-analysts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305021939/https://electrek.co/2016/12/20/tesla-model-3-on-track-2017-tesla-analysts/ |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |website=Electrek}}</ref> On August 3, 2016, Tesla announced that it was consistently producing 2,000 vehicles per week at the end of Q2 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Tesla Second Quarter 2016 Update |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/2564340823x0x903036/562D56A1-5426-4D79-8B99-3408D1B60226/Q2_16_Update_Letter_-_final.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815100048/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ABEA-4CW8X0/2564340823x0x903036/562D56A1-5426-4D79-8B99-3408D1B60226/Q2_16_Update_Letter_-_final.pdf |archive-date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |publisher=shareholder.com }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Robert Ferris, Christine |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Tesla misses Wall Street targets, but logs gains in vehicle production |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/03/tesla-reports-second-quarter-earnings.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807153758/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/03/tesla-reports-second-quarter-earnings.html |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |website=CNBC}}</ref> About 2,500 workers operate the day shift and 2,000 attend the [[Shift work|night shift]].<ref name="FremontMasterPlan" /> Tesla makes many parts itself, which is unusual in the auto business. Tesla also works with 300 suppliers around the world, of which 50 are in Northern California, and 10 in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hoge |first=Patrick |date=August 4, 2016 |title=The Tesla Effect: How the cutting edge company became the most powerful engine in Bay Area manufacturing |work=BizJournal |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2016/08/04/how-tesla-drives-manufacturing-bay-are-elon-musk.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804221134/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2016/08/04/how-tesla-drives-manufacturing-bay-are-elon-musk.html |archive-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref> Tesla's [[dashboard]] supplier SAS rents a 142,188-square-foot building near<!--5miles--> the factory, beginning in January 2017 with 200 employees<!--"Tesla effect"?-->.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Truong |first=Kevin |date=November 11, 2016 |title=German automotive supplier signs massive lease near Tesla |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2016/11/11/tesla-sas-eureka-landing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111161950/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2016/11/11/tesla-sas-eureka-landing.html |archive-date=November 11, 2016 |access-date=November 11, 2016 |website=[[American City Business Journals|San Francisco Business Times]]}}</ref> Other suppliers that have opened facilities in the area to be close to Tesla include Eclipse Automation and Futuris Automotive Group<!--leather-->.<ref>McCall, Mark. "[http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/02/f29/DOE-LPO_Mini-Reports_004_ATVM-Driving-Economic-Growth_FINAL_Jan-2016.pdf Driving Economic Growth: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES MANUFACTURING] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222173942/https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/02/f29/DOE-LPO_Mini-Reports_004_ATVM-Driving-Economic-Growth_FINAL_Jan-2016.pdf |date=December 22, 2016 }}" January 2016</ref> Tesla produces many of its seats at its own seat factory a few miles south of the main factory.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shahan |first=Zachary |date=April 22, 2019 |title=Tesla's Seat Heaven — Home Of Tesla's Cloud-Like Seats |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2019/04/22/teslas-seat-heaven-home-of-teslas-cloud-like-seats/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423141428/https://cleantechnica.com/2019/04/22/teslas-seat-heaven-home-of-teslas-cloud-like-seats/ |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |website=CleanTechnica}}</ref> In 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Tesla implemented virus mitigation efforts in its [[Giga Shanghai|Shanghai]] and Fremont factories. Shanghai resumed production on February 10, while the Fremont and [[Giga New York|New York factories]] were to reduce activity by March 24.<ref name="xinhua20200210">{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2020 |title=China Focus: Back to work, enterprises gradually resume operation amid epidemic outbreak – Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02/10/c_138771875.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319075704/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02/10/c_138771875.htm |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |access-date=March 19, 2020 |website=www.xinhuanet.com |publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]]}}</ref><ref name="containvirus">{{Cite web |last=Alvarez |first=Simon |date=March 17, 2020 |title=Tesla China shares Giga Shanghai safety measures against COVID-19 virus |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-china-giga-shanghai-covid-19-fremont-factory-elon-musk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319224920/https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-china-giga-shanghai-covid-19-fremont-factory-elon-musk/ |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |access-date=March 19, 2020 |website=TESLARATI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=March 19, 2020 |title=Tesla announces factory shutdown starting on March 24 |url=https://electrek.co/2020/03/19/tesla-factory-shutdown-starting-march-24/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319224922/https://electrek.co/2020/03/19/tesla-factory-shutdown-starting-march-24/ |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |access-date=March 19, 2020 |website=[[Electrek]]}}</ref> On May 9, Tesla sued Alameda County in order to force the reopening of the Fremont Factory.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2020 |title=Tesla drops lawsuit against Alameda County over Fremont factory reopening |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2020/05/20/tesla-drops-lawsuit-against-alameda-county-over-fremont-factory-reopening/ |access-date=July 13, 2020 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> Tesla told its employees that it had received approval to restart production in the week beginning May 18,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2020 |title=Tesla tells employees Fremont factory has approval to restart this week |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Tesla-tells-employees-that-Fremont-factory-got-15276512.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614022205/https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Tesla-tells-employees-that-Fremont-factory-got-15276512.php |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |access-date=July 13, 2020 |website=SFChronicle.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and the lawsuit was dropped on May 20.<ref name=":0" /> As other US factories reduced production during the COVID pandemic, the Fremont factory became the plant with the highest weekly production in North America at the end of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=R |first=Tom |last2=Pogkas |first2=Demetrios |date=January 2022 <!--production curve--> |title=Tesla Now Runs the Most Productive Auto Factory in America |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-tesla-factory-california-texas-car-production/ |website=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref> Elon Musk announced at the 2021 Shareholder Meeting, October 7, 2021, that Tesla hoped to increase the production capacity at the Fremont Factory by 50% in the next couple of years.<ref>{{Citation |title=Tesla, Inc. 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH51-loeLgM?t=3200 |access-date=January 16, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2021 |title=Elon Musk: Tesla Moving Company HQ To Texas, Will Continue Expanding Fremont Factory |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/10/07/tesla-moving-headquarters-austin-texas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011081937/https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/10/07/tesla-moving-headquarters-austin-texas/ |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |access-date=October 11, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> == Manufacturing process == === Overview === Tesla is highly vertically integrated and develops many components for its vehicles in-house, including batteries and motors. This is in contrast to many traditional automakers, who outsource many manufacturing steps to outside suppliers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rundle |first=Michael |date=January 12, 2016 |title=Building Tesla: inside Elon Musk's car factory of the future |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/tesla-factory-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912234847/http://www.wired.co.uk/article/tesla-factory-interview |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=December 8, 2016 |website=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]}}</ref> Design engineers also work at the factory itself, rather than a separate facility.<ref name="How Tesla Builds Electric Cars , Tesla Motors Part 2 (WIRED)">{{Cite web |title=How Tesla Builds Electric Cars , Tesla Motors Part 2 (WIRED) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEReFPI4jSc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708135817/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEReFPI4jSc |archive-date=July 8, 2016 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |website=YouTube |publisher=WIRED}}</ref><ref name="During summer factory upgrade, Tesla installed 10 of the largest robots in the world">{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2014 |title=During summer factory upgrade, Tesla installed 10 of the largest robots in the world |url=http://electrek.co/2014/11/20/during-summer-factory-upgrade-tesla-installed-10-of-the-largest-robots-in-the-world/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126071140/http://electrek.co/2014/11/20/during-summer-factory-upgrade-tesla-installed-10-of-the-largest-robots-in-the-world/ |archive-date=November 26, 2015 |access-date=April 26, 2015 |website=electrek.co |publisher=Electrek}}</ref> Individual vehicles take between three and five days to complete the assembly process.<ref name="How the Tesla Model S is Made , Tesla Motors Part 1" /> === Drive unit construction === ==== Motor construction ==== [[File:Tesla Visit 10 (9264760375).jpg|A complete Tesla Model S alternating current electric motor that has had a section removed from the [[stator]] to show the [[Rotor (electric)|rotor]] inside|thumb]] The alternating current [[induction motor]] used in vehicles are built by Tesla. The motors used in the Model S and X are built in-house at the Fremont Factory. The motors used in the Model 3 and Model Y are built at Tesla's [[Gigafactory Nevada]] and shipped to Fremont. The main components of the motor are the [[stator]] and [[Rotor (electric)|rotor]].<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S" /> The motor construction begins when a robot unspools and winds over {{convert|1/2|mi|km}} of copper wire per motor. It then pulls the copper wire into a stack. The motor has three phases and so requires three coils of copper.<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S" /> A worker then lengthens and straightens each bundle of wire and inserts a hydraulic lift to transfer the motor to the next station. A worker insulates each bundle of copper wire in a plastic sleeve to prevent the bundles from touching one another. The ends of the bundles are then snipped to the correct length. Lugs are added and crimped to form attachment points for the motor's three phases.<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S" /> A specialized automatic sewing machine then binds the coils together to keep them in place, the increased tightness of the binding provided by a robotic sewing machine increases the efficiency of the motor. The stator is then encased in a two part epoxy resin to help in evenly distributing the motor's heat. The stator is now complete and is inserted into a heated metal case, locking the stator inside as the case cools. A worker uses a hoisting system to insert the rotor inside the stator completing the construction of the motor.<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S" /> ===== Additional drive unit components ===== A worker then installs the differential and other sections of the gearbox, attaching it together using bolts. An air leak test is then conducted. The three-phase tri-pole [[power inverter]] is then installed onto the top of the motor to convert [[direct current]] from the battery into alternating current for the motor to use. The motor then undergoes a series of automated tests taking 4 minutes to ensure correct function, and then is moved to the general assembly area to be installed into the car.<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S" /> The power inverter is constructed from [[metal–oxide–semiconductor]] (MOS) [[power transistor]]s. Early Tesla vehicles used MOS-controlled [[insulated-gate bipolar transistor]]s (IGBTs), which have been replaced by [[silicon carbide]] (SiC) [[power MOSFET]]s ([[MOSFET|MOS field-effect transistors]]) in later Tesla vehicles since 2018.<ref name="pntpower">{{Cite news |last=Avron |first=Alex |date=February 11, 2019 |title=Is Tesla's production creating a SiC MOSFET shortage? |work=PntPower |url=https://www.pntpower.com/is-teslas-production-creating-a-sic-mosfet-shortage/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221034957/https://www.pntpower.com/is-teslas-production-creating-a-sic-mosfet-shortage/ |archive-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref> === Battery pack construction === [[File:Liion-18650-AA-battery.jpg|The Model S and X use thousands of [[18650 battery|18650]]-type cylindrical [[lithium-ion battery]] cells (right). A smaller [[AA battery]] is on the left for scale.|thumb|upright]] The Model S and X battery packs are assembled in-house at the Fremont Factory using battery cells from Japan. Battery cells for the Model 3 and Y are made on-site at Tesla's Gigafactory Nevada and assembled into battery packs before being shipped to Fremont. Both battery pack types are liquid-cooled and contain an [[intumescent]] fire prevention chemical.<ref name="gcr2013-06">{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Thomas |date=June 11, 2013 |title=What Goes into A Tesla Model S Battery – And What It May Cost |website=Green Car Reports |url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084682_what-goes-into-a-tesla-model-s-battery--and-what-it-may-cost |url-status=dead |access-date=February 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503210702/https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084682_what-goes-into-a-tesla-model-s-battery--and-what-it-may-cost |archive-date=May 3, 2019}}</ref> The battery packs for the Model S and X contain thousands of [[18650 battery|18650]]-type cylindrical [[lithium-ion battery]] cells with nickel-cobalt-aluminum [[cathode]]s.<ref name="TMCharging">{{Cite web |title=Charge your Model S – Adapter Guide, High Power Charging, and Supercharge |url=http://www.teslamotors.com/models/charging#/highpower |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201043429/https://www.teslamotors.com/models/charging#/highpower |archive-date=February 1, 2016 |access-date=June 23, 2012 |publisher=Tesla Motors}}</ref><ref name="USA062312">{{Cite news |last=Chris Woodyard |date=June 23, 2012 |title=First Drive: Tesla's Model S electric is spectacular |work=[[USA Today]] |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/06/first-drive-teslas-model-s-electric-is-spectacular/1#.T-aCTdUV3nh |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004231452/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/06/first-drive-teslas-model-s-electric-is-spectacular/1#.T-aCTdUV3nh |archive-date=October 4, 2014}}</ref> Tesla sources these batteries with a [[Lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxides|nickel-cobalt-aluminum]] (NCA) cathode chemistry from Panasonic's factories in Japan.<ref name="Kane 2022">{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=May 23, 2022 |title=What Batteries Are Tesla Using In Its Electric Cars? |url=https://insideevs.com/news/587455/batteries-tesla-using-electric-cars/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |website=InsideEVs |language=en}}</ref> The 18650 is a [[commodity cell]], previously used in laptops and other consumer electronics, which stands in contrast to every other electric vehicle manufacturer who use specialized large format Li-Ion cells.<ref name="What Goes Into A Tesla Model S Battery--And What It May Cost">{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Thomas |title=What Goes Into A Tesla Model S Battery—And What It May Cost |url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084682_what-goes-into-a-tesla-model-s-battery--and-what-it-may-cost |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503210702/https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084682_what-goes-into-a-tesla-model-s-battery--and-what-it-may-cost |archive-date=May 3, 2019 |access-date=March 25, 2015 |website=www.greencarreports.com |publisher=Green Car Reports}}</ref> The [[Tesla Roadster (first generation)]], which was built before Tesla moved into the Fremont facility, also used 18650 cells. For the Model 3 and Y, Tesla uses larger 2170-type cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells. The larger size was optimized for electric cars, allowing for a higher capacity per cell and a lower number of cells per battery pack.<ref name="Kane 20223">{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Mark |date=May 23, 2022 |title=What Batteries Are Tesla Using In Its Electric Cars? |url=https://insideevs.com/news/587455/batteries-tesla-using-electric-cars/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |website=InsideEVs |language=en}}</ref> Tesla sources these batteries with an NCA cathode chemistry from Panasonic's production line at Gigafactory Nevada.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 8, 2020 |title=Panasonic to expand battery capacity at Tesla Gigafactory |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2020/09/08/panasonic-to-expand-battery-capacity-at-tesla-gigafactory/ |access-date=April 7, 2021 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> === Body construction === [[File:Stamp and Repeat (6858564222).jpg|thumb|Stacked side panels that have been formed on the tandem press line]] Tesla makes extensive use of [[aluminium|aluminum]] in vehicle body production.<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S">{{Cite web |title=How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mzV7Y9B0tk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601161722/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mzV7Y9B0tk |archive-date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |publisher=How Its Made}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Field |first=Kyle |date=2020-02-01 |title=A Tesla Model 3 Goes From Rolled Aluminum To A Finished Vehicle In 48 Hours |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/01/31/teslas-vehicles-go-from-rolled-aluminum-to-a-finished-vehicle-in-48-hours/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=CleanTechnica |language=en-US}}</ref> The Fremont Factory takes delivery of large aluminum coils from suppliers, unwinds them, then flattens and cuts them into sheets in a blanking machine. Additional cutting is also done using a [[Laser cutting|laser cutter]].<ref name="How the Tesla Model S is Made , Tesla Motors Part 1" /> A robot then transfers the aluminum sheet blanks into the tandem press lines where they are stamped into the various vehicle panels. The Schuler hydraulic stamping press line is the largest in North America and the 6th largest in the world.<ref name="Can Tesla become a bigger company with Model S electric car? That's Elon Musk's gamble" /> The presses use up to 11,000 [[ton-force]] to form the body panels; the upper section applies 1,400 tons of downward force and the lower section provides 130 tons of force.<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S" /> The blank aluminum sheet is stretched over the lower [[Die (manufacturing)|draw die]] and openings are cut with robots transferring the panels between processes. In 2020, Tesla added an IDRA Giga Press to the factory, allowing the automaker to stamp out single-piece rear castings for the Model Y.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klender |first=Joey |date=2021-07-12 |title=Tesla's project to make GA 4.5 permanent at Fremont is underway |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-fremont-general-assembly-4-5-permanent-underway/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=TESLARATI |language=en-US}}</ref> The workers then inspect each panel to ensure correct pressing. The parts are then stacked in frames and stored. The machines press one part every 6 seconds and create 5,000 parts per day.<ref name="How the Tesla Model S is Made , Tesla Motors Part 1">{{Cite web |title=How the Tesla Model S is Made , Tesla Motors Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_lfxPI5ObM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207004147/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_lfxPI5ObM |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |website=Wired.com |publisher=WIRED}}</ref> === Final assembly === Tesla operates five general assembly lines in Fremont. Two are dedicated to Model S and X production and three are dedicated to Model 3 and Y production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klender |first=Joey |date=2021-02-19 |title=Tesla files to expand Fremont factory, make Model Y 'tent' permanent |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-fremont-expansion-ga-4-5-permanent/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=TESLARATI |language=en-US}}</ref> On the assembly line, body panels are welded together.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-08-30 |title=Tesla Model 3 Production Has 25–33% The Number Of Steps "Found In Traditional Auto" |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2018/08/30/tesla-model-3-production-has-25-33-the-number-of-steps-stations-found-in-traditional-auto/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=CleanTechnica |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[assembly line]] moves at a speed of 5 [[Centimetre|cm]]/s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muoio |first=Danielle |date=October 27, 2016 |title=Elon Musk: Tesla's factory will be an 'alien dreadnought' by 2018 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-factory-alien-dreadnought-2016-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114235324/http://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-factory-alien-dreadnought-2016-10 |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=November 14, 2016 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> The car is raised and the drive unit is installed into the rear [[axle]] assembly. The drive unit provides power directly to the [[wheel]]s without a [[drive shaft]].<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S" /> The [[battery pack]] weighs almost {{convert|1200|lb|kg}} and is delivered to the installation area and is raised into the car using a lift. Placing the battery pack under the cabin floor adds strength and rigidity to the car and lowers the vehicle's [[center of mass|center of gravity]]<ref name="How Its Made Dream Cars Season 02 Episode 10 Tesla Model S" /> to {{convert|18|in|cm|abbr=out|0}}.<ref name=rope>{{Cite web |last=Roper |first=L. David |title=Tesla Model S Data |url=http://www.roperld.com/science/TeslaModelS.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911155446/http://www.roperld.com/science/teslamodels.htm |archive-date=September 11, 2019 |access-date=April 5, 2015 <!--sources at page bottom-->}}</ref><ref name="sciAbuild">{{Cite journal |last=Biello |first=David |date=September 23, 2013 |title=How Tesla Motors Builds One of the World's Safest Cars [Video] |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-tesla-motors-builds-the-safest-car-video/ |url-status=live |journal=Scientific American |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107011527/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-tesla-motors-builds-the-safest-car-video/ |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> A [[titanium]] plate is installed under the battery pack which protects it in the event of a high-speed collision and to protect from [[road debris]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=George |first=Patrick |date=March 28, 2014 |title=The Tesla Model S: Now With Road Debris-Crushing Titanium! |url=http://jalopnik.com/the-tesla-model-s-now-with-road-debris-crushing-titani-1553544362 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113173215/http://jalopnik.com/the-tesla-model-s-now-with-road-debris-crushing-titani-1553544362 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |website=Jalopnik |publisher=[[Gawker Media]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blanco |first=Sebastian |date=March 28, 2014 |title=Tesla adds free titanium underbody shields to Model S to prevent fires |url=http://green.autoblog.com/2014/03/28/prevent-fire-tesla-adds-free-titanium-underbody-shields-model-s/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330071458/http://green.autoblog.com/2014/03/28/prevent-fire-tesla-adds-free-titanium-underbody-shields-model-s/ |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=March 31, 2014 |website=Autoblog Green |publisher=[[AOL Inc.]]}}</ref> == Lawsuits and controversies == {{Main|List of lawsuits involving Tesla, Inc.|Criticism of Tesla, Inc.}} === Sexual harassment === In 2021, seven women came forward with claims of having faced sexual harassment and discrimination while working at Tesla's Fremont factory.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonifacic |first=Igor |date=December 15, 2021 |title=Six more women sue Tesla over workplace sexual harassment |work=TechCrunch |location=US |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2021/12/14/six-more-women-sue-tesla-over-workplace-sexual-harassment/ |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> They accused the company of facilitating a culture of rampant sexual harassment. The women said they were consistently subjected to catcalling, unwanted advances, unwanted touching, and discrimination while at work. "I was so tired of the unwanted attention and the males gawking at me I proceeded to create barriers around me just so I could get some relief," Brooks told ''[[The Washington Post]]''. "That was something I felt necessary just so I can do my job." Stories range from intimate groping to being called out to the parking lot for sex.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dillon |first=Nancy |date=December 15, 2021 |title=Six Women Sue Tesla Alleging 'Rampant Sexual Harassment' at California Facilities |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/tesla-sexual-harassment-lawsuits-1271824/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |location=US |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> Women feared calling Human Resources for help as their supervisors were often participants.<ref name="Siddiqui-2021b">{{Cite news |last=Siddiqui |first=Faiz |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Six Tesla workers file additional lawsuits alleging sexual harassment |work=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/12/14/tesla-sexual-harassment/ |access-date=February 18, 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Musk himself is not indicted, but most of the women pressing charges believe their abuse is connected to the behavior of CEO Elon Musk. They cite his crude remarks about women's bodies, wisecracks about starting a university that abbreviated to "T.IT.S", and his generally dismissive attitude towards reporting sexual harassment.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ohnsman |first=Alan |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Tesla Hit By 6 More Sexual Harassment Claims |work=Forbes |location=US |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2021/12/14/tesla-hit-by-6-more-sexual-harassment-claims/ |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> "What we're addressing for each of the lawsuits is just a shocking pattern of rampant harassment that exists at Tesla," said attorney David A. Lowe.<ref name="Siddiqui-2021b" /> In 2017, another woman had accused Tesla of very similar behavior and was subsequently fired. In a statement to the Guardian, Tesla confirmed the company had fired her, saying it had thoroughly investigated the employee's allegations with the help of "a neutral, third-party expert" and concluded her complaints were unmerited.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levin |first=Sam |date=June 1, 2017 |title=Tesla fires female engineer who alleged sexual harassment |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/01/tesla-fires-aj-vandermeyden-lawsuit-sexual-harrassment |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> In May 2022, a California judge ruled that the sexual harassment lawsuit could move to court, rejecting Tesla's request for closed-door arbitration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trop |first=Jaclyn |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Tesla sexual harassment suit can proceed in court |work=TechCrunch |location=US |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2022/05/24/judge-rules-that-tesla-sexual-harassment-suit-can-proceed-in-court/ |access-date=June 22, 2022}}</ref> === Labor disputes === {{See also|Tesla and unions}} From 2014 to 2018, Tesla's Fremont Factory had three times as many [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]] (OSHA) violations as the ten largest U.S. auto plants combined.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stumpf |first=Rob |date=March 3, 2019 |title=Tesla Had 3 Times as Many OSHA Violations as the 10 Largest US Plants Combined |url=https://www.thedrive.com/news/26727/tesla-had-3-times-as-many-osha-violations-as-the-10-largest-us-plants-combined |access-date=May 15, 2020 |website=The Drive}}</ref> An investigation by the [[Reveal (podcast)|Reveal]] podcast alleged that Tesla "failed to report some of its serious injuries on legally mandated reports" to downplay the extent of injuries.<ref name="Evans-Perry-2018">{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2018 |title=Tesla says its factory is safer. But it left injuries off the books |url=https://www.revealnews.org/article/tesla-says-its-factory-is-safer-but-it-left-injuries-off-the-books/ |access-date=May 15, 2020 |website=Reveal |language=en}}</ref> In September 2019, a California judge ruled that 12 actions in 2017 and 2018 by Musk and other Tesla executives violated labor laws because they sabotaged [[Tesla union|employee attempts to unionize]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eidelson |first=Josh |date=September 27, 2019 |title=Tesla Labor Practices and Musk Tweet Broke the Law, Judge Rules |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-27/tesla-committed-unfair-labor-practices-nlrb-judge-rules}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Alexia Fernández |date=September 30, 2019 |title=Elon Musk broke US labor laws on Twitter |work=[[Vox Media]] |url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/9/30/20891314/elon-musk-tesla-labor-violation-nlrb}}</ref> The California Civil Rights Department filed a suit in 2022 alleging "a pattern of racial harassment and bias" at the Tesla Fremont factory. {{As of|April 2023|post=,}} the Department is also conducting a probe of the factory based on a 2021 complaint and claims that Tesla has been obstructing the investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 13, 2023 |title=Tesla Obstructed Probe of Worker Discrimination, California Says |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-13/tesla-obstructed-probe-of-worker-discrimination-california-says |access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref> === Environmental violations === In 2019, The [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] fined Tesla for hazardous waste violations that occurred in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Sean |date=April 1, 2019 |title=Tesla penalized for violating hazardous waste law at California factory |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/1/18291091/tesla-epa-fine-hazardous-waste-fremont-factory |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> In June 2019, Tesla began negotiating penalties for 19 environmental violations from the [[Bay Area Air Quality Management District]];<ref>{{Cite web |last=Niedermeyer |first=Edward |date=June 6, 2019 |title=Tesla in Settlement Proceedings Over 19 Air Quality Violations As Investigation Continues |url=https://www.thedrive.com/tech/28413/tesla-in-settlement-proceedings-over-19-air-quality-violations-as-investigation-continues |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=The Drive}}</ref> the violations took place around Tesla Fremont's paint shop, where there had been at least four fires between 2014 and 2019.<ref name="Niedermeyer-2019">{{Cite web |last=Niedermeyer |first=Edward |date=June 3, 2019 |title=Tesla Air Quality Compliance Violations Center On Troubled Paint Shop |url=https://www.thedrive.com/tech/28339/tesla-air-quality-compliance-violations-center-on-troubled-paint-shop |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=The Drive}}</ref> Environmental violations and permit deviations at Tesla's Fremont Factory increased from 2018 to 2019 with the production ramp of the Model 3.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Niedermeyer |first=Edward |date=June 3, 2019 |title=Documents Show Persistent Air Quality Non-Compliance at Tesla Factory |url=https://www.thedrive.com/tech/28338/documents-show-persistent-air-quality-non-compliance-at-tesla-factory |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=The Drive}}</ref> The EPA found that Tesla allowed hazardous waste to accumulate on site without a permit beyond the allowed 90 days, failed to "promptly clean up flammable paint and or solvent mixtures", left two {{convert|55|USgal|L|adj=on}} containers of hazardous waste open with "no gasket or locking mechanism", and violated air emission standards for three leaky transmission lines that the waste moved through.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tesla / EPA settlement for hazardous materials violation {{!}} Resource Conservation And Recovery Act {{!}} Hazardous Waste |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/404019872/Tesla-EPA-settlement-for-hazardous-materials-violation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403161305/https://www.scribd.com/document/404019872/Tesla-EPA-settlement-for-hazardous-materials-violation |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2019 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref> === Racism === Tesla has faced numerous complaints regarding workplace harassment and racial discrimination,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hepler |first=Lauren |date=November 30, 2018 |title=Menial Tasks, Slurs and Swastikas: Many Black Workers at Tesla Say They Faced Racism |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/business/tesla-factory-racism.html |access-date=April 9, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2021 |title=Former Tesla employee who said supervisors called him the N-word awarded $1&nbsp;million |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tesla-million-melvin-berry-fremont-california-n-word-racial-discrimination/ |access-date=February 19, 2022 |publisher=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref> with one former Tesla worker who attempted to sue the employer describing it as "a hotbed of racist behavior".<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2017 |title=Lawsuit calls Tesla factory a hotbed of racism; Tesla calls lawsuit a 'hotbed of misinformation' |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-tesla-racism-lawsuit-20171115-story.html |access-date=April 25, 2021 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Approximately 100 former employees have submitted signed statements alleging that Tesla discriminates specifically against African Americans and "allows a racist environment in its factories."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wille |first=Matt |date=July 6, 2021 |title=Tesla Fremont employees allege widespread racism on the factory floor |url=https://www.inputmag.com/culture/tesla-fremont-employees-allege-widespread-racism-on-the-factory-floor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804142413/https://www.inputmag.com/culture/tesla-fremont-employees-allege-widespread-racism-on-the-factory-floor |archive-date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=September 9, 2021 |website=Input |language=en-US}}</ref> According to the state's Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Fremont factory is a racially segregated place where Black employees claim they are given the most menial<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hepler |first=Lauren |date=November 30, 2018 |title=Menial Tasks, Slurs and Swastikas: Many Black Workers at Tesla Say They Faced Racism |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/business/tesla-factory-racism.html |access-date=February 19, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and physically demanding work.<ref name="Wiessner-2022">{{Cite news |last=Wiessner |first=Daniel |last2=Jin |first2=Hyunjoo |date=February 11, 2022 |title=California sues Tesla over Black workers' allegations of discrimination |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/california-agency-sues-tesla-over-alleged-discrimination-harassment-wsj-2022-02-10/ |access-date=February 19, 2022}}</ref> The accusations of racism culminated in February 2022 with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing suing Tesla for "discriminating against its Black workers."<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2022 |title=California Sues Tesla, Alleging Racial Discrimination and Harassment |url=https://news.justia.com/california-sues-tesla-alleging-racial-discrimination-and-harassment/ |access-date=February 11, 2022 |website=news.justia.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In July 2021, former employee Melvin Berry received $1&nbsp;million in his discrimination case in arbitration against Tesla after he claimed he was referred to by the [[n-word]] and forced to work longer hours at the Fremont plant.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 5, 2021 |title=Ex-Tesla Employee Called Racial Slur Wins Rare $1 Million Award |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-05/ex-tesla-employee-called-racial-slur-wins-rare-1-million-award |access-date=September 9, 2021}}</ref> In October 2021, a jury verdict in the ''[[Owen Diaz vs. Tesla]]'' trial awarded the plaintiff $137&nbsp;million in damages after he had faced racial harassment at Tesla's Fremont facility during 2015–2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2021 |title=Black ex-Tesla worker who claimed racial abuse awarded $137M |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-san-francisco-race-and-ethnicity-tesla-inc-african-americans-d74d7fc97fc5b0608c26015aa77d7c74 |website=AP NEWS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 31, 2019 |title=Tesla must face lawsuit claiming racism at California factory |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-lawsuit-racism-idUSKBN1YZ18E}}</ref> In a blog, Tesla stressed that Diaz was never "really" a Tesla worker, and that most utterings of the n-word were expressed in a friendly manner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Regarding Today's Jury Verdict |url=https://www.tesla.com/blog/regarding-todays-jury-verdict |access-date=February 19, 2022 |website=tesla.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="Kolodny-2021">{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=October 5, 2021 |title=Tesla must pay $137&nbsp;million to ex-worker over hostile work environment, racism |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/05/tesla-must-pay-137-million-to-ex-worker-over-hostile-work-environment-racism.html |access-date=February 19, 2022 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> In April 2022, federal judge [[William Orrick III|William Orrick]] upheld the jury finding of Tesla's liability but reduced the total damage down to $15&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |last2=Wiessner |first2=Daniel |date=April 14, 2022 |title=Judge finds Tesla liable to Black former worker who alleged bias, but slashes payout |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-judge-cuts-verdict-tesla-race-bias-case-15-mln-137-mln-2022-04-14/}}</ref> Diaz was given a two-week deadline to decide if he would collect the damages. In June 2022, Diaz announced that he would be rejecting the $15&nbsp;million award, opening the door for a new trial.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2022 |title=Former Tesla worker rejects $15M payout in racial abuse lawsuit |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2022/06/21/former-tesla-worker-rejects-15m-payout-in-racial-abuse-lawsuit/ |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2023, Diaz was awarded $3.2 million in the new trial.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Kari |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Black former worker awarded $3.2m in Tesla factory racial-harassment suit |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/03/tesla-racial-harassment-lawsuit-award-california-factory |access-date=April 28, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Few of these cases against Tesla ever make it to trial as most employees are made to sign arbitration agreements.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Tesla Racism Verdict of $137 Million Could Be Cut if Appealed |url=https://time.com/6104336/tesla-racism-verdict-appeal/ |magazine=Time |language=en |access-date=February 19, 2022}}</ref> Employees are afterwards required to resolve such disputes out of court, and behind closed doors. === COVID-19 pandemic === Tesla's initial response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]] has been the subject of considerable criticism. Musk had sought to exempt the Tesla Fremont factory in Alameda County, California from the government's stay-at-home orders. In an [[earnings call]] in April, he was heard calling the public health orders "fascist".<ref name="Siddiqui-2021a">{{Cite news |last=Siddiqui |first=Faiz |date=March 13, 2021 |title=Hundreds of covid cases reported at Tesla plant following Musk's defiant reopening, county data shows |work=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/12/hundreds-covid-cases-reported-tesla-plant-following-musks-defiant-reopening-county-data-shows/ |access-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> He had also called the public's response to the pandemic "dumb" and had said online that there would be zero cases by April.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Joe |title=Elon Musk's False Covid Predictions: A Timeline |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/03/13/elon-musks-false-covid-predictions-a-timeline/ |access-date=February 17, 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> In May 2020, while [[Alameda County, California|Alameda County]] officials were negotiating with the company to reopen the Fremont Factory on the 18th, Musk defied local government orders by restarting production on the 11th.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Marshall |first=Aarian |title=Elon Musk Defies Lockdown Orders and Reopens Tesla's Factory |url=https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-defies-lockdown-orders-reopens-tesla-factory/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=June 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2020 |title=The dispute over reopening the Tesla factory may be over |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-05-13/dispute-over-reopening-tesla-factory-may-be-over |access-date=June 14, 2020 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Boudette |first=Neal E. |date=May 8, 2020 |title=Tesla Tells Workers It Will Reopen California Factory Despite County Order |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/08/business/economy/tesla-coronavirus-factory-alameda.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508224003/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/08/business/economy/tesla-coronavirus-factory-alameda.html |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Tesla also sued Alameda County, questioning the legality of the orders, but backed down after the Fremont Factory was given approval to reopen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2020 |title=Tesla drops lawsuit against Alameda County after Fremont factory reopens |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Tesla-drops-lawsuit-against-Alameda-County-after-15284242.php |access-date=June 14, 2020 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="cnbc20200613">{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Jessica Bursztynsky, Lora |date=May 20, 2020 |title=Tesla drops lawsuit against California's Alameda County over coronavirus restrictions |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/20/tesla-drops-suit-against-californias-alameda-county.html |access-date=June 13, 2020 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> In June 2020, Tesla published a detailed plan for bringing employees back to work and keeping them safe,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Emma Newburger, Lora |date=May 10, 2020 |title=Tesla says it will resume operations. Here is the company's plan to bring employees back to work |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/10/coronavirus-teslas-plan-to-bring-employees-back-to-work.html |access-date=June 13, 2020 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> however some employees still expressed concern for their health.<ref name="cnbc20200612">{{Cite news |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=June 12, 2020 |title=Tesla safety boss tries to calm factory workers, some are concerned about lax coronavirus precautions |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/12/tesla-laurie-shelby-email-on-covid-19-fremont-workers-worried.html |access-date=June 12, 2020}}</ref> In May 2020, Musk told workers that they could stay home if they felt uncomfortable coming back to work.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Aaron |title=More Tesla employees say they were fired for staying home over COVID-19 fears even though CEO Elon Musk said they could |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-plant-firings-elon-musk-covid-19-staying-home-2020-7 |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> But in June, Tesla fired an employee who criticized the company for taking inadequate safety measures to protect workers from the coronavirus at the Fremont Factory.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2020 |title=Tesla worker who criticized coronavirus safety measures receives termination notice |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/tesla-worker-who-criticized-coronavirus-safety-measures-receives-termination-notice |access-date=June 19, 2020 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> Three more employees at Tesla's Fremont Factory claimed they were fired for staying home out of fear of catching COVID-19. This was subsequently denied by Tesla, which even stated that the employees were still on the payroll.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Coronavirus: Elon Musk's Tesla denies firing employees who stayed home during lockdown |language=en |publisher=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-elon-musks-tesla-denies-firing-employees-who-stayed-home-during-lockdown-12020300 |access-date=February 9, 2021}}</ref> COVID-19 cases at the factory grew from 10 in May 2020 to 125 in December 2020, with about 450 total cases in that time period out of the approximately 10,000 workers at the plant (4.5%).<ref name="Siddiqui-2021a" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Justine |date=March 14, 2021 |title=Hundreds of Tesla workers tested positive at reopened plant |url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/543157-hundreds-of-tesla-workers-tested-positive-at-reopened |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=The Hill |language=en}}</ref> === Safety incidents === In November 2013 there was an accident when the low-pressure aluminum casting press failed, spilling molten metal on three workers and causing their clothing to catch fire. Tesla was fined {{USD}}89,000 by the [[California Department of Industrial Relations|California Division of Occupational Safety and Health]] for seven safety violations, six considered serious.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2014 |title=Tesla Motors faces $89,000 in fines for incident that injured workers at Fremont facility |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25677719/tesla-motors-faces-fines-factory-violations-fremont |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816073119/http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25677719/tesla-motors-faces-fines-factory-violations-fremont |archive-date=August 16, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2014 |website=San Jose Mercury News}}</ref> == See also == * [[List of Tesla factories]] == References == {{reflist}} == External links == *{{official website|https://www.tesla.com/factory}} *[http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/tesla-factory-birthplace-model-s The Tesla Factory: Birthplace of the Model S] Tesla Motors photo tour *[https://vimeo.com/43015249 Stamping], [https://vimeo.com/43083157 body], [https://vimeo.com/43505225 paint], [https://vimeo.com/109168998 automated motor production], [https://vimeo.com/43997600 assembly], [https://vimeo.com/106564929 factory upgrade] (official Tesla) *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_lfxPI5ObM How Tesla Builds Electric Cars], A 3-part documentary on the Tesla Factory from [[Wired (magazine)|''Wired'' magazine]] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20121119225557/http://natgeotv.com/ca/megafactories/videos/brand-new-tesla-factory "Brand New Tesla Factory"], [[National Geographic Channel|National Geographic]] video; {{youtube|kbusZ_iaUyE|Documentary}} by [[National Geographic Channel]] [[Ultimate Factories#Season 6 (2013)|Megafactories]] *[http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/403/nummi NPR's This American Life's full hour story of the creation and demise of NUMMI – episode #403] from [[This American Life]] {{Tesla Motors}} {{coord|37|29|41.12|N|121|56|41.16|W|type:landmark|display=title}} [[Category:Tesla factories]] [[Category:Motor vehicle assembly plants in California]] [[Category:Manufacturing companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area]] [[Category:Companies based in Fremont, California]] [[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2010]] [[Category:2010 establishments in California]] [[Category:Giga Press]]'