It's time for an update about Tesla's manufacturing infrastructure, which includes two electric car plants (one in California and one in China). Two new plants (in Germany and in Texas) are under construction and should start production by the end of the year or in early 2022.

The currently installed potential manufacturing capacity exceeds 1 million units annually (although it requires a ramp to full capacity) - no major changes compared to Q2 2021 report.

The production rate in Q3 was above 237,000, while 12-month production exceeds 800,000. The annualized production rate is close to 1 million EVs.

The overall output appears to be limited by the "outside factors:"

"In Q3, we saw a continuation of global supply chain, transportation and other manufacturing challenges. We continue to run our production lines as close to full capacity as conditions allow. While sequential growth remains our goal, the magnitude of growth will be determined largely by outside factors."

Additionally, Tesla is building a new 40 GWh battery energy storage factory in California,that will produce only Tesla Megapack systems for utilities.

Tesla Factory in Fremont, California - up to 600,000/year

Tesla's Fremont factory has the potential to produce up to 500,000 Model 3/Model Y a year plus up to 100,000 refreshed Model S/Model X (Model S is ramping up, while Model X production and deliveries just started).

Over the past 12 months, Tesla has produced over 430,000 EVs in Fremont, which is an all-time high for the plant. The company intends to increase the volume to an even higher level. The majority of the Model 3/Model Y production is for the North American market.

"...Fremont factory produced more cars in the last 12 months than in any other year, we believe there is room for continued improvement."

"Our Fremont factory produced over 430,000 vehicles in the last four quartersand we believe there is room for continued improvement. Model S production continued to ramp successfully in Q3and Model X production ramp and first deliveries have begun."

Tesla Factory
Tesla Factory in Fremont, California
2021 Tesla Model X
2021 Tesla Model X

Tesla Giga Shanghai (Gigafactory 3) in China - over 450,000/year

According to the quarterly report, the Tesla Giga Shanghai plant has the potential to produce over 450,000 Model 3/Model Y per year (no change here). The plant remains the company's export hub.

"For all of Q3, China remained our main export hub. Production has ramped well in China, and we are driving improvements to increase the production rate further."

Tesla Giga Shanghai - R&D center in the foreground (Tesla Q3 2021 report)
Tesla Giga Shanghai - R&D center in the foreground (Tesla Q3 2021 report)
Tesla Giga Shanghai - Giga presses (Tesla Q3 2021 report)
Tesla Giga Shanghai - Giga presses (Tesla Q3 2021 report)

Tesla Giga Berlin (Gigafactory 4) in Germany

Tesla Giga Berlin, under construction in Grünheide near Berlin in Germany, is behind its initial schedule, however, Tesla hopes that the production of the Model Y will start by the end of the year.

It's unlikely that the company will receive final permit approval sooner than in December, while customer deliveries are now expected no sooner than in early 2022.

"Factory buildout remains on track with testing of equipment well underway. We expect to receive final permit approval before the end of this year."

Tesla Giga Berlin: Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg County Fair (October 10, 2021)
Tesla Giga Berlin: Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg County Fair (October 10, 2021)
Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg County Fair in Germany (October 10, 2021)
Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg County Fair in Germany (October 10, 2021)

Tesla Giga Texas (Gigafactory 5) in the U.S.

Tesla Giga Texas, under construction in Austin Texas, is expected to start production of the Model Y this year and Cybertruck to follow.

"Gigafactory Texas is progressing as planned. We are in the process of commissioning equipment and fabricating our first pre-production vehicles."

"We continue to target our first Model Y production builds in Berlin and Austin before the end of the year. The pace of the respective production ramps will be influenced by the successful introduction of many new product and manufacturing technologies in new locations, ongoing supply-chain related challenges and regional permitting."

The company said that is making progress on the industrialization of Cybertruck.

Tesla Giga Texas (Gigafactory 5) - Exterior (Tesla Q3 2021 report)
Tesla Giga Texas (Gigafactory 5) - Exterior (Tesla Q3 2021 report)
Tesla Giga Texas (Gigafactory 5) - Office space with factory view (Tesla Q3 2021 report)
Tesla Giga Texas (Gigafactory 5) - Office space with factory view (Tesla Q3 2021 report)
Tesla Giga Texas (Gigafactory 5) - Model Y quality control (Tesla Q3 2021 report)
Tesla Giga Texas (Gigafactory 5) - Model Y quality control (Tesla Q3 2021 report)

Tesla installed manufacturing capacity

  • Total of over 1,050,000 per year (up to 600,000 at the Tesla Factory and over 450,000 at the Gigafactory 3)

Production sites

  • Tesla Factory in Fremont, California
    • Model S/X (capacity of up to 100,000 annually) Model S since mid-2012, Model X since late 2015
    • Model 3/Y (capacity of up to 500,000 annually now), Model 3 since mid-2017, Model Y since January 2020
    • Total output of up to 600,000 S/X/3/Y
  • Tesla Gigafactory 1 in Nevada
    • related to lithium-ion cell, module and pack production, energy storage products and drive units
  • Tesla Gigafactory 2 in New York
    • Related to solar and some energy storage products
  • Tesla Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai, China
    • Model 3/Y (capacity of over 450,000 annually)
      Model 3 since late 2019, Model Y since December 2020
  • Tesla Gigafactory 4 in Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany, Europe
    • under construction
    • production expected to start in 2021 (first Model Y)
    • Model Y "construction"
    • Model 3 previously "in development", now no info
  • Tesla Gigafactory 5 in Austin, Texas
    • under construction
    • Model Y: "construction", an additional production site in the U.S.
    • Cybertruck: "in development", unveiled in late 2019, production after the Model Y
  • Tesla Megapack factory in Lathrop, California
    • related to Tesla Megapack energy storage systems
  • Unassigned models
    • Semi: "in development". Delayed to 2022 (it was expected that the Semi will be produced in Texas, according to Q2 2020 call, but it is unassigned yet)
    • Roadster: "in development", probably will be assigned to Fremont Factory (our guess)
    • "Future Product" - undisclosed: "in development", unassigned
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