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Sneak Peek at Life in the Tesla Motors Factory

Global Equities Research analyst, Trip Chowdhry, takes a look behind the doors of the Tesla Motors Factory
In a rare opportunity, Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdry dives into the heart of the Tesla Motors Factory in Feemont, CA and accounts seeing an expansive two story production facility – enough to power the upcoming Model X and Model 3 – staffed with a deeply motivated and passionate workforce that’s thriving within a silicon valley-like culture.
Turn of the Tide
Chowdhry first took note of the high activity volume within the lobby floor, much different than just one year ago when activity was virtually non-existent. He compares the hustle to that of Silicon Valley’s Google and Facebook – known for its fast-paced and highly driven culture.
Much of the activity is from European and Asian suppliers looking to court Tesla in hopes to become a manufacturer for parts and modules for Tesla’s fleet of vehicles. Chowdry accounts there being a complete reversal in supplier equation than just one year ago.
- Before: Tesla was searching for Suppliers and had zero leverage with them
- Today: Suppliers are eager to work with Tesla and willing to agree to Tesla’s stringent quality and customization requirements
Having this upper hand not only creates more favorable Supplier economics, but also ensures top-notch engineering quality. The tides have definitely turned in all areas of Tesla Motors including its state selection of the Gigafactory.
Factory Expansion for Model X, Model 3 and Batteries
The Tesla Motors factory recently expanded to support the increase in production volume from the Model X, arriving later this year, and Musk's affordable mass market electric vehicle, the Model 3, to hit markets in 2017. The new second floor space is used for manufacturing of the drivetrain, electric motor, gearbox and inverter for the Model S. The 60kWh and 85kWh batteries are also assembled on the same floor.
However, the biggest revelation was that assembly of 400 kWh residential and commercial grade batteries were spotted on the very same floor - likely to support Musk's long time vision of living off the grid through renewable solar energy.
Chowdry also noted that the new production line will soon be ramping up to produce 1,000 cars per week, although it has a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per week.
Other Factory Highlights
- None of the cafeterias have cash registers presumably because lunch is catered on a daily basis, much like that of Silicon Valley startups.
- An area on the factory floor was labeled "Driver Assist" which makes us believe that Tesla is in active R&D for their rumored self-driving car.
- Ample factory floor space - enough to support the production of the Tesla Model 3
Source: IBTimes
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Tesla makes a change to its ‘American Heroes’ $500 discount

Tesla has made a change to its “American Heroes” discount, which takes $500 off the price of a vehicle purchase if you work in a certain field.
Tesla first launched the American Heroes discount earlier this year on May 22, 2025, and it initially started as a $1,000 deduction on the price of any of the company’s vehicles.
It formerly allowed military veterans, retirees, active-duty members, their spouses, first responders, teachers, and students. It utilized ID.me to verify their occupation.
However, Tesla has added a few groups of workers to this discount, according to language on its website:
“Tesla vehicles are perfect for everyday American heroes. Offer available to verified military veterans, retirees, active-duty members, their spouses, surviving spouses, first responders, medical providers, nurses, students and teachers verified through ID.me1. Adjustments applied when you place your order after verification. Eligibility criteria detailed at ID.me.”
The discount applies to all five Tesla vehicles, so it is not restricted to just the S3XY lineup.
The American Heroes discount is one of the several offers and incentives that Tesla offers on its vehicles. Currently, it is one of four offers Tesla has on its vehicles, with the others being:
- Full Self-Driving (Supervised) Trial: Three-month trial for those who use a referral code to buy a vehicle.
- Premium Connectivity Trial: One-month free
- Financing Offers: Tesla has various financing offers, including a 3.99% APR with $5,000 on Model S and Model X orders in the U.S.
These incentives help drive sales, but they also show Tesla’s appreciation for those who work in challenging fields. The discount has no expiration, as of now, but with this recent addition, Tesla likely has no plans to eliminate the program.
Tesla has occasionally launched discounts for military members near the 4th of July as well.
News
Tesla might be doing away with a long-included feature with its vehicles
It appears Tesla is mulling the possibility of not including key cards with its vehicles any longer.

Tesla might be doing away with a long-included feature with its vehicles, as it could be looking to phase out something that very few owners utilize.
Tesla Key Cards are included when you purchase your vehicle, and they assist in the initial setup process. However, after that, they are not super useful or relevant to the owner, as many rely on their Phone Key through the Tesla App to access their cars.
As such, it appears Tesla is mulling the possibility of not including key cards with its vehicles any longer. According to some language that has been removed from vehicle Owner’s Manuals that talks about the inclusion of key cards with the car upon delivery:
“Tesla provides you with two Model 3/Y key cards, designed to fit in your wallet.”
That sentence was removed from Owner’s Manuals, according to Not a Tesla App, which first spotted the change.
Tesla Model 3 owner implants RFID key card chip into her arm as ultimate hack to unlock door
Interestingly, the timing of the phrase being removed from Owner’s Manuals comes just after Tesla launched its “affordable” Standard Models, and could be a small money-saving measure for the company.
Key Cards have been utilized by Tesla for its cars since 2017, as they became an included accessory with the vehicle. They still have their place and are useful for other applications, such as Valet service and even to be used by car owners if their phone is dead or if someone else needs to get into the car.
They can also be purchased in the Tesla Shop for $40.
It seems as if Tesla is planning to have owners be completely reliant on the Phone Key, which is more useful and convenient than carrying around the Key Cards.
Although it is minor, it is yet another strategy Tesla is using to trim any sort of costs that can be eliminated and could save money in the long run.
News
Elon Musk confirms Tesla FSD V14.2 will see widespread rollout
Musk shared the news in a post on social media platform X.

Elon Musk has confirmed that Tesla will be implementing a wide rollout of Full Self-Driving (FSD) V14 with the system’s V14.2 update. Musk shared the news in a post on social media platform X.
FSD V14.1.2 earns strong praise from testers
Musk’s comment came as a response to Tesla owner and longtime FSD tester AI DRIVR, who noted that it might be time to release Full Self-Driving to the fleet because V14.1.2 has already become very refined.
“95% of the indecisive lane changes and braking have been fixed in FSD 14.1.2. I haven’t touched my steering wheel in two days. I think it’s time, Tesla AI,” the longtime FSD tester wrote.
AI DRIVR’s comment received quite a bit of support from fellow Tesla drivers, some of whom noted that the improvements that were implemented in V14.1.2 are substantial. Others also agreed that it’s time for FSD to see a wide release.
In his reply to the FSD tester, CEO Elon Musk noted that FSD V14’s wide release would happen with V14.2. “14.2 for widespread use,” Musk wrote in his reply.
Mad Max mode makes headlines
One of the key features that was introduced with FSD’s current iteration is Mad Max mode, which allows for higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the previous “Hurry” mode. Videos and social media posts from FSD testers have shown the system deftly handling complex traffic, merging seamlessly, and maintaining an assertive but safe driving behavior with Mad Max mode engaged.
Tesla AI head Ashok Elluswamy recently noted in a post on X that Mad Max mode was built to handle congested daytime traffic, making it extremely useful for drivers who tend to find themselves in heavy roads during their daily commutes. With Musk now hinting that FSD V14.2 will go on wide release, it might only be a matter of time before the larger Tesla fleet gets to experience the notable improvements of FSD’s V14 update.
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