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Tesla Gigafactory 1 expands with massive new lot as site activity increases

[Credit: Joshua Mcdonald]

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Aerial photographs obtained by Teslarati have revealed that Tesla’s expansive new parking lot in Gigafactory 1 is practically complete. As seen in the latest images, which we obtained on June 1, Tesla is done overlaying its new lot with asphalt, and numerous electric posts now stand in the area.

Tesla started moving the land north of Gigafactory 1 sometime in March. As noted by avid members of the r/TeslaMotors community then, the new parking lot appears to be around 2,000 x 1,500 ft (roughly 600 m x 470 m). The massive parking lot seems to have been developed quickly as well, as aerial images captured a few weeks after initial reports of the project indicated that Tesla was halfway done overlaying the new lot with asphalt.

Overall, the latest developments in Gigafactory 1, together with the installation of solar panels at the facility’s roof, underscore increased activity within the factory itself. The site, after all, is working around the clock in order to ramp up production of the Model 3’s battery packs. Just last week, reports emerged that Tesla has flown in six airplanes’ worth of new robots and equipment from Europe, the first two of which had reportedly been delivered at the Sparks, Nevada facility.

According to people familiar with the matter, the deliveries of the robots were done “in a massive hurry.” One of the individuals, who spoke to Reuters, further noted that engineers from Grohmann, Tesla’s engineering arm in Germany, were also in Gigafactory 1 to help address production bottlenecks in the Model 3 battery pack line.

The Model 3 production ramp is Tesla’s primary objective this second quarter. Despite missing its goal of producing 2,500 Model 3 per week by the end of Q1 2018, Tesla has nonetheless maintained its expectations of producing the compact electric car at a rate of 5,000 per week by the end of Q2 2018. In order to accomplish this elusive goal, both Tesla’s Fremont factory and Gigafactory 1 have to work at optimum efficiency.

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Recent signs of the developments in the Model 3 production line have been encouraging so far. In May alone, Tesla registered more than 18,000 new Model 3 VINs, a number that took the company until March to achieve, despite starting the production of the vehicle mid-2017. Apart from this, a leaked email from CEO Elon Musk to Tesla employees also revealed that the company has been producing the Model 3 at a consistent rate of 500 vehicles per day, or roughly 3,500 per week.

Optimizing Gigafactory 1 and refining the Model 3 production ramp are just a few steps in the company’s overall plans, however. During Tesla’s Q1 2018 earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed that the next Gigafactory would be built in China. What’s more, Musk also announced that the upcoming facility would have the capability to manufacture vehicles. Ultimately, Musk stated that “future Gigafactories will all incorporate vehicle production.”

Establishing its next Gigafactory in China is a strategic move for Tesla, considering that Elon Musk has specifically mentioned during Tesla’s Q3 2017 earnings call last November that the upcoming facility will be tasked with manufacturing the next vehicle in Tesla’s lineup — the Model Y, an all-electric, crossover SUV that is expected to have a demand that surpasses even that of the Model 3.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Elon Musk

Tesla analyst issues stern warning to investors: forget Trump-Musk feud

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Credit: Tesla

A Tesla analyst today said that investors should not lose sight of what is truly important in the grand scheme of being a shareholder, and that any near-term drama between CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump should not outshine the progress made by the company.

Gene Munster of Deepwater Management said that Tesla’s progress in autonomy is a much larger influence and a significantly bigger part of the company’s story than any disagreement between political policies.

Munster appeared on CNBC‘s “Closing Bell” yesterday to reiterate this point:

“One thing that is critical for Tesla investors to remember is that what’s going on with the business, with autonomy, the progress that they’re making, albeit early, is much bigger than any feud that is going to happen week-to-week between the President and Elon. So, I understand the reaction, but ultimately, I think that cooler heads will prevail. If they don’t, autonomy is still coming, one way or the other.”

This is a point that other analysts like Dan Ives of Wedbush and Cathie Wood of ARK Invest also made yesterday.

On two occasions over the past month, Musk and President Trump have gotten involved in a very public disagreement over the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which officially passed through the Senate yesterday and is making its way to the House of Representatives.

Tesla analysts believe Musk and Trump feud will pass

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Musk is upset with the spending in the bill, while President Trump continues to reiterate that the Tesla CEO is only frustrated with the removal of an “EV mandate,” which does not exist federally, nor is it something Musk has expressed any frustration with.

In fact, Musk has pushed back against keeping federal subsidies for EVs, as long as gas and oil subsidies are also removed.

Nevertheless, Ives and Wood both said yesterday that they believe the political hardship between Musk and President Trump will pass because both realize the world is a better place with them on the same team.

Munster’s perspective is that, even though Musk’s feud with President Trump could apply near-term pressure to the stock, the company’s progress in autonomy is an indication that, in the long term, Tesla is set up to succeed.

Tesla launched its Robotaxi platform in Austin on June 22 and is expanding access to more members of the public. Austin residents are now reporting that they have been invited to join the program.

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Tesla surges following better-than-expected delivery report

Tesla saw some positive momentum during trading hours as it reported its deliveries for Q2.

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(Credit: Tesla)

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) surged over four percent on Wednesday morning after the company reported better-than-expected deliveries. It was nearly right on consensus estimations, as Wall Street predicted the company would deliver 385,000 cars in Q2.

Tesla reported that it delivered 384,122 vehicles in Q2. Many, including those inside the Tesla community, were anticipating deliveries in the 340,000 to 360,000 range, while Wall Street seemed to get it just right.

Tesla delivers 384,000 vehicles in Q2 2025, deploys 9.6 GWh in energy storage

Despite Tesla meeting consensus estimations, there were real concerns about what the company would report for Q2.

There were reportedly brief pauses in production at Gigafactory Texas during the quarter and the ramp of the new Model Y configuration across the globe were expected to provide headwinds for the EV maker during the quarter.

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At noon on the East Coast, Tesla shares were up about 4.5 percent.

It is expected that Tesla will likely equal the number of deliveries it completed in both of the past two years.

It has hovered at the 1.8 million mark since 2023, and it seems it is right on pace to match that once again. Early last year, Tesla said that annual growth would be “notably lower” than expected due to its development of a new vehicle platform, which will enable more affordable models to be offered to the public.

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These cars are expected to be unveiled at some point this year, as Tesla said they were “on track” to be produced in the first half of the year. Tesla has yet to unveil these vehicle designs to the public.

Dan Ives of Wedbush said in a note to investors this morning that the company’s rebound in China in June reflects good things to come, especially given the Model Y and its ramp across the world.

He also said that Musk’s commitment to the company and return from politics played a major role in the company’s performance in Q2:

“If Musk continues to lead and remain in the driver’s seat, we believe Tesla is on a path to an accelerated growth path over the coming years with deliveries expected to ramp in the back-half of 2025 following the Model Y refresh cycle.”

Ives maintained his $500 price target and the ‘Outperform’ rating he held on the stock:

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“Tesla’s future is in many ways the brightest it’s ever been in our view given autonomous, FSD, robotics, and many other technology innovations now on the horizon with 90% of the valuation being driven by autonomous and robotics over the coming years but Musk needs to focus on driving Tesla and not putting his political views first. We maintain our OUTPERFORM and $500 PT.”

Moving forward, investors will look to see some gradual growth over the next few quarters. At worst, Tesla should look to match 2023 and 2024 full-year delivery figures, which could be beaten if the automaker can offer those affordable models by the end of the year.

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Investor's Corner

Tesla delivers 384,000 vehicles in Q2 2025, deploys 9.6 GWh in energy storage

The quarter’s 9.6 GWh energy storage deployment marks one of Tesla’s highest to date.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) has released its Q2 2025 vehicle delivery and production report. As per the report, the company delivered over 384,000 vehicles in the second quarter of 2025, while deploying 9.6 GWh in energy storage. Vehicle production also reached 410,244 units for the quarter.

Model 3/Y dominates output, ahead of earnings call

Of the 410,244 vehicles produced during the quarter, 396,835 were Model 3 and Model Y units, while 13,409 were attributed to Tesla’s other models, which includes the Cybertruck and Model S/X variants. Deliveries followed a similar pattern, with 373,728 Model 3/Ys delivered and 10,394 from other models, totaling 384,122.

The quarter’s 9.6 GWh energy storage deployment marks one of Tesla’s highest to date, signaling continued strength in the Megapack and Powerwall segments.

Credit: Tesla Investor Relations

Year-on-year deliveries edge down, but energy shows resilience

Tesla will share its full Q2 2025 earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with a live earnings call scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT / 5:30 p.m. ET. The company will publish its quarterly update at ir.tesla.com, followed by a Q&A webcast featuring company leadership. Executives such as CEO Elon Musk are expected to be in attendance.

Tesla investors are expected to inquire about several of the company’s ongoing projects in the upcoming Q2 2025 earnings call. Expected topics include the new Model Y ramp across the United States, China, and Germany, as well as the ramp of FSD in territories outside the US and China. Questions about the company’s Robotaxi business, as well as the long-referenced but yet to be announced affordable models are also expected.

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