Connect with us
Tesla Gigafactory Berlin render (Credit: Tesla) Tesla Gigafactory Berlin render (Credit: Tesla)

News

Tesla lands ‘Alien Dreadnought’ contract for Giga Berlin

Tesla Gigafactory Berlin render (Credit: Tesla)

Published

on

Tesla has inked a deal with Israel’s Electra Group and its subsidiary, M&E Polska, to perform electromechanical work at the Giga Berlin production facility. The use of electromechanical equipment in automotive manufacturing is frequently related to the use of robotic weld guns, which entails automation in the production process of Tesla’s electric cars. The contract could turn Giga Berlin into Tesla’s next attempt at an “Alien Dreadnought” facility.

The work will be performed by the subsidiary, which is based out of Poland. The deal, which was first reported by The Algemeiner, is worth $80 million.

“We are proud to be a partner in a strategic agreement with a groundbreaking company like Tesla, and see it as a significant milestone in Electra’s positioning as a leading player in the electromechanical field in Europe,” CEO of Electra, Itamar Deutscher, said.

Interestingly enough, Robotics.org indicates that in automotive manufacturing, electromechanical actuators are used in the operation of robotic weld guns. The weld guns “mainly perform spot welding of stamped sheet metal for automotive chassis,” which would infer that Tesla is preparing an automated production process of the Model Y. The company has already indicated that it will initially build the electric crossover at Giga Berlin.

Advertisement

The Model Y is the subject of an entirely new manufacturing process for Tesla. The main goal was to eliminate the massive influx of parts that past models have utilized for their chassis. Tesla managed to eliminate 69 pieces from the chassis of the Model Y, and it is now comprised of a one-piece structure that is built with a large stamping machine. This new structure was highlighted in a teardown of the Model Y performed by Sandy Munro.

Tesla is using a stamping machine for the manufacturing of the Model Y in Fremont at the company’s main production facility. It also plans to begin using a stamping machine at Giga Shanghai in China when the second phase of the facility, which is responsible for Model Y production, is completed.

Tesla Giga Shanghai’s stamping press. (Credit: Tesla)

Electromechanical work relates to mechanical devices that are electrically operated. This could include production equipment at the facility that could automate the manufacturing processes of Tesla’s electric vehicles in Berlin.

CEO Elon Musk has indicated for years that Tesla is working toward more efficient production methods within its Gigafactories. Ultimately, increased manufacturing efficiency would lead to a higher production rate, and Giga Berlin is targeted to build at least 500,000 cars a year. Production is scheduled to begin in July 2021.

Musk has also indicated for an extended period that Tesla’s production facilities will appear to be “alien dreadnought” plants instead of “factories.” The goal is to increase automation technology and manufacturing efficiency as the company’s vehicles increase in demand.

Tesla continues to work toward increasing manufacturing performance, and the company has been vocal for its need for new talent to help in their efforts. During the company’s most recent Earnings Call, Musk requested talented individuals to help with solving manufacturing issues at any of its plants. Automation and engineering of the production lines could improve build quality and annual output volumes.

Advertisement

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

Advertisement
Comments

Cybertruck

Tesla set to activate long-awaited Cybertruck feature

Tesla will officially activate the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature on Cybertruck soon, as the company has officially added the feature to its list of features by trim on its website.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla is set to activate a long-awaited Cybertruck feature, and no matter when you bought your all-electric pickup, it has the hardware capable of achieving what it is designed to do.

Tesla simply has to flip the switch, and it plans to do so in the near future.

Tesla will officially activate the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature on Cybertruck soon, according to Not a Tesla App, as the company has officially added the feature to its list of features by trim on its website.

Tesla rolls out Active Road Noise Reduction for new Model S and Model X

Advertisement

The ANC feature suddenly appeared on the spec sheet for the Premium All-Wheel-Drive and Cyberbeast trims, which are the two configurations that have been delivered since November 2023.

However, those trims have both had the ANC disabled, and although they are found in the Model S and Model X, and are active in those vehicles, Tesla is planning to activate them.

In Tesla’s Service Toolbox, it wrote:

ANC software is not enabled on Cybertruck even though the hardware is installed.”

Advertisement

Tesla has utilized an ANC system in the Model S and Model X since 2021. The system uses microphones embedded in the front seat headrests to detect low-frequency road noise entering the cabin. It then generates anti-noise through phase-inverted sound waves to cancel out or reduce that noise, creating quieter zones, particularly around the vehicle’s front occupants.

The Model S and Model X utilize six microphones to achieve this noise cancellation, while the Cybertruck has just four.

Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD estimated delivery slips to early fall 2026

As previously mentioned, this will be activated through a software update, as the hardware is already available within Cybertruck and can simply be activated at Tesla’s leisure.

Advertisement

The delays in activating the system are likely due to Tesla Cybertruck’s unique design, which is unlike anything before. In the Model S and Model X, Tesla did not have to do too much, but the Cybertruck has heavier all-terrain tires and potentially issues from the aluminum castings that make up the vehicle’s chassis, which are probably presenting some challenges.

Unfortunately, this feature will not be available on the new Dual Motor All-Wheel-Drive configuration, which was released last week.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla Model S and X customization options begin to thin as their closure nears

Tesla’s Online Design Studio for both vehicles now shows the first color option to be listed as “Sold Out,” as Lunar Silver is officially no longer available for the Model S or Model X. This color is exclusive to these cars and not available on the Model S or Model X.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla Model S and Model X customization options are beginning to thin for the first time as the closure of the two “sentimental” vehicles nears.

We are officially seeing the first options disappear as Tesla begins to work toward ending production of the two cars and the options that are available to those vehicles specifically.

Tesla’s Online Design Studio for both vehicles now shows the first color option to be listed as “Sold Out,” as Lunar Silver is officially no longer available for the Model S or Model X. This color is exclusive to these cars and not available on the Model S or Model X.

Tesla is making way for the Optimus humanoid robot project at the Fremont Factory, where the Model S and Model X are produced. The two cars are low-volume models and do not contribute more than a few percent to Tesla’s yearly delivery figures.

With CEO Elon Musk confirming that the Model S and Model X would officially be phased out at the end of the quarter, some of the options are being thinned out.

Advertisement

This is an expected move considering Tesla’s plans for the two vehicles, as it will make for an easier process of transitioning that portion of the Fremont plant to cater to Optimus manufacturing. Additionally, this is likely one of the least popular colors, and Tesla is choosing to only keep around what it is seeing routine demand for.

During the Q4 Earnings Call in January, Musk confirmed the end of the Model S and Model X:

“It is time to bring the Model S and Model X programs to an end with an honorable discharge. It is time to bring the S/X programs to an end. It’s part of our overall shift to an autonomous future.”

Fremont will now build one million Optimus units per year as production is ramped.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD estimated delivery slips to early fall 2026

Tesla has also added a note on the Cybertruck design page stating that the vehicle’s price will increase after February 28.

Published

on

Credit: Grok Imagine

Tesla’s estimated delivery window for new Cybertruck Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) orders in the United States has shifted to September–October 2026. This suggests that the vehicle’s sub-$60,000 variant is now effectively sold out until then.

The updated timeline was highlighted in a post on X by Tesla watcher Sawyer Merritt, who noted that the estimated delivery window had moved from June 2026 to September-October 2026, “presumably due to strong demand.”

The Dual Motor AWD currently starts at $59,990 before incentives. Tesla has also added a note on the Cybertruck design page stating that the vehicle’s price will increase after February 28.

If demand remains steady, the combination of a later delivery window and a pending price increase suggests Tesla is seeing sustained interest in the newly-introduced Cybertruck configuration. This was highlighted by Elon Musk on X, when he noted that the Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD’s introductory price will only be available for a limited time.

Advertisement

When the Cybertruck was first unveiled in November 2019, Tesla listed the Dual Motor AWD variant at $49,990. Adjusted for inflation, that figure equates to roughly $63,000 in 2026 dollars, based on cumulative U.S. inflation since 2019.

That context makes a potential post-February price in the $64,000 to $65,000 range less surprising, especially as material, labor, and manufacturing costs have shifted significantly over the past several years.

While Tesla has not announced a specific new MSRP, the updated delivery timeline and pricing note together suggest that the Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD could very well be the variant that takes the all-electric full-sized pickup truck to more widespread adoption.

Continue Reading