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Tesla Model 3 production in China factory undergoes first test trials
Leaked images and footage from the interior of Gigafactory 3 suggest that Tesla is already making the necessary preparations for trial production runs of its Made-in-China Model 3 in its massive Shanghai-based facility. The installation of manufacturing equipment and robots inside Gigafactory 3 is ongoing as well.
The recent Gigafactory 3 leaks were shared on Chinese social media platform Weibo by electric car enthusiast Battery King _ (电池王_). Overall, the images show a section of Gigafactory 3 that was largely complete, though it appeared that the floors and walls of the area are still bare concrete. The lighting appears to be done and the installation of manufacturing equipment is in full swing.
Most remarkably, the recent leaks include pictures of two partly-built Model 3 in an assembly line. It is unknown if the two electric sedans’ panels were stamped on-site or if the vehicles were only assembled at the facility from shipped components, but either way, the fact that Tesla is already beginning trial assemblies of the Model 3 in its China Gigafactory is nothing short of incredible.
Another noticeable aspect of the leaked video and images is the space that seemed to be available on the factory floor even with the Model 3 assembly line in place. Granted, the pictures were only taken at one section of an otherwise gargantuan facility and the tooling for the site is only partially complete, but it is not difficult to see the massive facility producing far more Model 3 than expected once it goes online.
Exceeding the expected initial output of Gigafactory 3 will likely be easier than expected, especially considering that Wall Street has given the facility a notably conservative production forecast. Back in July, for example, Morgan Stanley released an otherwise positive report on Tesla stating that the Shanghai-based site could go online as early as November.
Quite surprisingly, analyst Adam Jonas noted that based on their research, Morgan Stanley expects Gigafactory 3 to produce 35,000-40,000 Model 3 in 2020, with the facility ramping its output to 60,000 units annually in 2021. That’s only 673-769 Model 3 per week in 2020 and 1,150 Model 3 per week in 2021. Considering the size of Gigafactory 3, as well as the fact that 1,150 Model 3 per week is in the same ballpark as the output of the sprung structure-based GA4 in Fremont, Morgan Stanley’s estimate might end up being way off.
This is especially notable considering that Gigafactory 3’s substation is expected to go live as early as next month. Recent drone flyovers of the Gigafactory 3 complex show that the substation is already taking form and perhaps nearing completion within the next few weeks. Barring any unexpected delays, Gigafactory 3 could come alive at the end of September.
During Gigafactory 3’s groundbreaking ceremony last January, Elon Musk noted that trial production runs of the Model 3 could begin in the China-based site at the end of the year. Considering the speed of Gigafactory 3’s buildout, as well as the fact that the preparations for trial Model 3 production runs are already underway, Elon Musk’s estimate might actually prove conservative.
H/T Kelvin Yang, Ray4Tesla.
Elon Musk
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets.
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets. The company also completed deployment of its first-generation Direct to Cell constellation, launching over 650 satellites in just 18 months to enable cellular connectivity.
SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s impressive 2025 progress in an extensive report.
Key achievements from Starlink’s 2025 Progress
Starlink connected over 4.6 million new customers with high-speed internet while bringing service to 35 more regions worldwide in 2025. Starlink is now connecting 9.2 million people worldwide. The service achieved this just weeks after hitting its 8 million customer milestone.
Starlink is now available in 155 markets, including areas that are unreachable by traditional ISPs. As per SpaceX, Starlink has also provided over 21 million airline passengers and 20 million cruise passengers with reliable high-speed internet connectivity during their travels.
Starlink Direct to Cell
Starlink’s Direct to Cell constellation, more than 650 satellites strong, has already connected over 12 million people at least once, marking a breakthrough in global mobile coverage.
Starlink Direct to Cell is currently rolled out to 22 countries and 6 continents, with over 6 million monthly customers. Starlink Direct to Cell also has 27 MNO partners to date.
“This year, SpaceX completed deployment of the first generation of the Starlink Direct to Cell constellation, with more than 650 satellites launched to low-Earth orbit in just 18 months. Starlink Direct to Cell has connected more than 12 million people, and counting, at least once, providing life-saving connectivity when people need it most,” SpaceX wrote.
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Tesla Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
Tesla’s Giga Nevada has reached an impressive milestone, producing its 6 millionth drive unit as 2925 came to a close.
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
6 million drive units
The achievement was shared by the official Tesla Manufacturing account on social media platform X. “Congratulations to the Giga Nevada team for producing their 6 millionth Drive Unit!” Tesla wrote.
The photo showed numerous factory workers assembled on the production floor, proudly holding golden balloons that spelled out “6000000″ in front of drive unit assembly stations. Elon Musk gave credit to the Giga Nevada team, writing, “Congrats on 6M drive units!” in a post on X.
Giga Nevada’s essential role
Giga Nevada produces drive units, battery packs, and energy products. The facility has been a cornerstone of Tesla’s scaling since opening, and it was the crucial facility that ultimately enabled Tesla to ramp the Model 3 and Model Y. Even today, it serves as Tesla’s core hub for battery and drivetrain components for vehicles that are produced in the United States.
Giga Nevada is expected to support Tesla’s ambitious 2026 targets, including the launch of vehicles like the Tesla Semi and the Cybercab. Tesla will have a very busy 2026, and based on Giga Nevada’s activities so far, it appears that the facility will be equally busy as well.
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Tesla Supercharger network delivers record 6.7 TWh in 2025
The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets.
Tesla’s Supercharger Network had its biggest year ever in 2025, delivering a record 6.7 TWh of electricity to vehicles worldwide.
To celebrate its busy year, the official @TeslaCharging account shared an infographic showing the Supercharger Network’s growth from near-zero in 2012 to this year’s impressive milestone.
Record 6.7 TWh delivered in 2025
The bar chart shows steady Supercharger energy delivery increases since 2012. Based on the graphic, the Supercharger Network started small in the mid-2010s and accelerated sharply after 2019, when the Model 3 was going mainstream.
Each year from 2020 onward showed significantly more energy delivery, with 2025’s four quarters combining for the highest total yet at 6.7 TWh.
This energy powered millions of charging sessions across Tesla’s growing fleet of vehicles worldwide. The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets. This makes the Supercharger Network loved not just by Tesla owners but EV drivers as a whole.
Resilience after Supercharger team changes
2025’s record energy delivery comes despite earlier 2024 layoffs on the Supercharger team, which sparked concerns about the system’s expansion pace. Max de Zegher, Tesla Director of Charging North America, also highlighted that “Outside China, Superchargers delivered more energy than all other fast chargers combined.”
Longtime Tesla owner and FSD tester Whole Mars Catalog noted the achievement as proof of continued momentum post-layoffs. At the time of the Supercharger team’s layoffs in 2024, numerous critics were claiming that Elon Musk was halting the network’s expansion altogether, and that the team only remained because the adults in the room convinced the juvenile CEO to relent.
Such a scenario, at least based on the graphic posted by the Tesla Charging team on X, seems highly implausible.
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Tesla Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
