3 ms·

Yes, your last link was what I was thinking of. It’s page ~16 of 2019 Q4 Letter: https://ir.tesla.com/static-files/b3cf7f5e-546a-4a65-9888-c928b914b529 https:/

• contingencies 6y ago
  It appears to be the same process. Reading junk on the internet the main process innovation they appear to have made appears is large scale die casting to produce entire chassis frames in a single aluminium part. This - like most "innovations" - is less an innovation and more adopting a known process with different tradeoffs, increasing initial capital outlay to obtain enhanced production speed and a simplified production process. In vehicle manufacturing process engineering, an interesting recent startup is UK brand 'Arrival' who decided to avoid stamped chassis parts entirely and instead assemble from sheet and extrusions (IIRC). They can allegedly assemble a whole van in a 1000m2 'microfactory' and have just brought out a bus concept. https://www.electrive.com/2020/03/20/arrival-moves-into-new-bicester-factory/ https://www.electrive.com/2020/03/20/arrival-moves-into-new-... https://www.pesmedia.com/arrival-bicester-electric-van-manufacturing-130320/ https://www.pesmedia.com/arrival-bicester-electric-van-manuf... https://www.pesmedia.com/arrival-zero-emissions-bus-17062020/ https://www.pesmedia.com/arrival-zero-emissions-bus-17062020... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrival_(company) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrival_(company) 3B valuation.