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Tesla Giga Berlin’s final assembly line takes shape after new approval
Tesla Giga Berlin’s final assembly line is taking shape after the Brandenburg local government gave the automaker preliminary approval to begin installing “machines and aggregates (among other things for the assembly of interior fittings, cockpit, merging of chassis, engine) in the final assembly.”
The Brandenburg Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Climate Protection announced earlier today (via @gigafactory_4) that it has granted Tesla preliminary approval to install machines that will put the final aspects of vehicles together. Known as final assembly, this is where vehicles take their final shape. The car’s shape is put together, and the final touches, including interior elements and engines, are installed into the chassis. This is the final step before the vehicles are inspected and approved to be delivered to customers.
#LfU #Brandenburg hat heute heute die Zulassung des vorzeitigen Beginns für den Einbau von Maschinen & Aggregaten (u.a. zur Montage von Inneneinrichtungen, Cockpit, Zusammenführung von Fahrwerk, Motor) in der Endmontage bei #Tesla #GigaBerlin erteilt. pic.twitter.com/VzR16bRdjZ
— MLUK Brandenburg (@MLUKBrandenburg) May 19, 2021
The Tweet says (via Google Translate):
“LFU Brandenburg today granted the approval of the early start for the installation of machines & aggregates (e.g., for the assembly of interior fittings, cockpit, merging of chassis, engine) in the final assembly at Tesla Giga Berlin.”
Documents of the preliminary approval indicated that Tesla will be able to install machinery that relates to Trim, Chassis-Marriage, Final, End of Lind Testing, Glazing Line, Door Line, and Repairs.
Here you can read the content of the 13. preliminary approval for #GigaBerlin in german.https://t.co/UM2scFTxOW pic.twitter.com/B2f1muI1ic
— Giga Berlin / Gigafactory 4 (@gigafactory_4) May 19, 2021
Tesla plans to refine its manufacturing processes at the German plant to be the most accurate in its history. CEO Elon Musk commented yesterday that Tesla would be utilizing “microns not millimeters” as a guideline for the Model Y’s manufacturing, aiming to make the next-generation version of the vehicle the most precise yet.
The installation of the machinery into the plant gives the impression that production testing phases could begin soon. In Texas at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility, the company recently started testing the Giga Press, its massive casting machine that builds a single-piece casting of the Model Y’s rear chassis. Not only does the use of this massive machine help with production efficiency, but also with product rigidity and quality. It removed 69 parts, making the rear casting of the Model Y a single piece.
Tesla Model Y to use one-piece front casting in Germany: report
Tesla stated that it plans to begin limited production at Giga Berlin in late 2021. After Elon Musk visited the factory this week, he commented that he wished there was less bureaucracy in the approval process, but he still plans on production starting at the tail end of the year. Other local officials, like Brandenburg Economic Minister Jörg Steinbach, believe the production could begin soon. Steinbach has said on several occasions, including during an exclusive interview with Teslarati, that he expects the plant to get rolling in late-Summer or early-Autumn. With the approval for equipment to be installed in the plant, there is certainly an argument that Tesla could begin before the end of the year.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below, or you can email me at joey@teslarati.com or Tweet me @KlenderJoey.
News
Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Tesla Diner, the all-in-one Supercharging and dining experience located in Los Angeles, will transition to a full-service restaurant in January, staff said, as Chef Eric Greenspan said he would take on a new project.
A report from the Los Angeles Times says Greenspan confirmed through a text that he would leave the Diner and focus on the opening of his new Jewish deli, Mish.
Greenspan confirmed to the paper:
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Greenspan took on the job at the Tesla Diner and curated the menu back in March, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and items that would play on various company products, like Cybertruck-shaped boxes that hold burgers.
Tesla Cybertruck leftovers are the main course at the Supercharger Diner
The Tesla Diner has operated as somewhat of a self-serve establishment, where Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through the center touchscreen. It was not exclusive to Tesla owners. Guests could also enter and order at a counter, and pick up their food, before sitting at a booth or table.
However, the report indicates Tesla is planning to push it toward a sit-down restaurant, full of waiters, waitresses, and servers, all of which will come to a table after you are seated, take your order, and serve your food.
It will be more of a full-featured restaurant experience moving forward, which is an interesting move from the company, but it also sounds as if it could be testing for an expansion.
We know that Tesla is already considering expanding locations, as it will be heading to new areas of the country. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will be considering locations in Palo Alto near the company’s Engineering HQ, and in Austin, where its HQ and Gigafactory Texas are located.
Musk said that the Diner has been very successful in its first few months of operation.
News
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
Tesla has added a new and somewhat surprising fee to the Robotaxi program. It’s only surprising because it was never there before.
Tesla shocked everyone when it launched its Robotaxi platform and offered riders the opportunity to tip, only to tell them they do not accept tips. It was one of the company’s attempts at being humorous as it rolled out its driverless platform to people in Austin.
As it has expanded to new cities and been opened to more people, as it was yesterday to iOS users, Tesla has had to tweak some of the minor details of the Robotaxi and ride-hailing platforms it operates.
First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more
With more riders, more vehicles, and more operational jurisdictions, the company has to adjust as things become busier.
Now, it is adjusting the platform by adding “Cleaning Fees” to the Robotaxi platform, but it seems it is only charged if the vehicle requires some additional attention after your ride.
The app will communicate with the rider with the following message (via Not a Tesla App):
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
The cost of the cleaning will likely depend on how severe the mess is. If you spill a soda, it will likely cost less than if you lose your lunch in the back of the car because you had a few too many drinks.
This is an expected change, and it seems to be one that is needed, especially considering Tesla is operating a small-scale ride-hailing service at the current time. As it expands to more states and cities and eventually is available everywhere, there will be more situations that will arise.
The messes in vehicles are not a new situation, especially in a rideshare setting. It will be interesting to see if Tesla will enable other fees, like ones for riders who request a ride and do not show up for it.
News
Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025
Customers who wish to get their cars by the end of the year would likely need to get an inventory unit.
It appears that the Model Y has been sold out for 2025 in China. This seems to be true for the four variants of the vehicle that are currently offered in the country.
Tesla China’s order page update
A look at Tesla China’s order page for the Model Y shows a message informing customers that those who wish to guarantee delivery by the end of the year should purchase an inventory unit. This was despite the Model Y RWD and Model Y L showing an estimated delivery timeline of 4-8 weeks, and the Model Y Long Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD showing 4-13 weeks.
As per industry watchers, these updates on the Model Y’s order page suggest that Tesla China’s sales capacity for the remainder of 2025 has been sold out. The fact that estimated delivery timeframes for the Model Y Long Range RWD and AWD extend up to 13 weeks also bodes well for demand for the vehicle, especially given strong rivals like the Xiaomi YU7, which undercuts the Model Y in price.
Tesla China’s upcoming big updates
What is quite interesting is that Tesla China is still competing in the country with one hand partly tied behind its back. So far, Tesla has only been able to secure partial approval for its flagship self-driving software, FSD, in China. This has resulted in V14 not being rolled out to the country yet. Despite this, Tesla China’s “Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads,” as the system is called locally, has earned positive reviews from users.
As per Elon Musk during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, however, Tesla is expecting to secure full approval for FSD in China in early 2026. “We have partial approval in China, and we hopefully will have full approval in China around February or March or so. That’s what they’ve told us,” Musk said.