Connect with us

News

Tesla Model 3 supplier to double parts shipments in Q3, says sources

(Credit: Vincent Yu/Twitter)

Published

on

A recent report from an Asian tech-based publication has hinted at what could very well be an upcoming ramp in Model 3 production. According to industry sources, precision stamping service provider and Tesla supplier China FineBlanking Technology (CFTC) is poised to double its monthly shipments of the electric sedan’s components this year. 

The report, which was related by DigiTimes, a news agency that serves the Taiwan and Greater China region, suggested that CFTC would be raising its shipments for Model 3 components to about 40,000 units per month by August 2019. That’s double the company’s shipments today, which currently stand at 20,000 units per month. 

Sources familiar with the proceedings have teased that CFTC will further be supplying the Model 3 with additional components beginning in October 2019. This puts the precision stamping service provider deeper into the Tesla ecosystem, especially considering the upcoming Model 3 production in the Shanghai-based Gigafactory 3, which is expected to start operations later this year

In preparation for its expanded activities, CFTC’s China-based subsidiary is expending its production capacity by building another factory. This facility, which is expected to increase the company’s production efficiency by 40%, is estimated to be completed by the end of 2019. 

Advertisement

CFTC, for its part, has not provided any additional details about its more significant role in the Model 3 supply chain. Nevertheless, the increase in shipments teased by DigiTimes‘ sources does fit uncannily well with the theme of Tesla President of Automotive Jerome Guillen’s leaked email. In his message, Guillen hinted at a boost in production activities in the Fremont factory, which could suggest an even more pronounced Model 3 ramp in the coming months.

An additional push on Model 3 production would make sense for Tesla, considering that the company is yet to deliver the vehicles to several key markets such as Australia and Japan. With Elon Musk assuring that Tesla continues to see healthy demand for its cars, there does seem to be a need for more Model 3 production capabilities. 

This also falls in line with the upcoming production of the Model 3 in Gigafactory 3, as the facility is expected to hit volume production not long after the first vehicles roll off the assembly line later this year. Reports from local Chinese media have suggested that initial Model 3 production could start as early as September, which is around the same time as CFTC’s reported production increase in Model 3 parts shipments. 

Speculating further, one could even consider the possibility of Tesla potentially looking to start the initial production of the Model Y earlier than expected. The Model 3 and the Model Y share around 75% of the same parts. Thus, the additional components that are set to be shipped by the precision stamping service provider could end up supporting both Tesla’s Model 3 ramp and the company’s initial Model Y runs.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement
Comments

News

Ford is charging for a basic EV feature on the Mustang Mach-E

When ordering a new Ford Mustang Mach-E, you’ll now be hit with an additional fee for one basic EV feature: the frunk.

Published

on

Credit: Ford Motor Company

Ford is charging an additional fee for a basic EV feature on its Mustang Mach-E, its most popular electric vehicle offering.

Ford has shuttered its initial Model e program, but is venturing into a more controlled and refined effort, and it is abandoning the F-150 Lightning in favor of a new pickup that is currently under design, but appears to have some favorable features.

However, ordering a new Mustang Mach-E now comes with an additional fee for one basic EV feature: the frunk.

The frunk is the front trunk, and due to the lack of a large engine in the front of an electric vehicle, OEMs are able to offer additional storage space under the hood. There’s one problem, though, and that is that companies appear to be recognizing that they can remove it for free while offering the function for a fee.

Ford is charging $495 for the frunk.

Interestingly, the frunk size varies by vehicle, but the Mustang Mach-E features a 4.7 to 4.8 cubic-foot-sized frunk, which measures approximately 9 inches deep, 26 inches wide, and 14 inches high.

When the vehicle was first released, Ford marketed the frunk as the ultimate tailgating feature, showing it off as a perfect place to store and serve cold shrimp cocktail.

Ford Mach-E frunk is perfect for chowders and chicken wings, and we’re not even joking

It appears the decision to charge for what is a simple advantage of an EV is not going over well, as even Ford loyal customers say the frunk is a “basic expectation” of an EV. Without it, it seems as if fans feel the company is nickel-and-diming its customers.

It will be pretty interesting to see the Mach-E without a frunk, and while it should not be enough to turn people away from potentially buying the vehicle, it seems the decision to add an additional charge to include one will definitely annoy some customers.

Continue Reading

News

Tesla to improve one of its best features, coding shows

According to the update, Tesla will work on improving the headlights when coming into contact with highly reflective objects, including road signs, traffic signs, and street lights. Additionally, pixel-level dimming will happen in two stages, whereas it currently performs with just one, meaning on or off.

Published

on

Credit: @jojje167 on X

Tesla is looking to upgrade its Matrix Headlights, a unique and high-tech feature that is available on several of its vehicles. The headlights aim to maximize visibility for Tesla drivers while being considerate of oncoming traffic.

The Matrix Headlights Tesla offers utilize dimming of individual light pixels to ensure that visibility stays high for those behind the wheel, while also being considerate of other cars by decreasing the brightness in areas where other cars are traveling.

Here’s what they look like in action:

As you can see, the Matrix headlight system intentionally dims the area where oncoming cars would be impacted by high beams. This keeps visibility at a maximum for everyone on the road, including those who could be hit with bright lights in their eyes.

There are still a handful of complaints from owners, however, but Tesla appears to be looking to resolve these with the coming updates in a Software Version that is currently labeled 2026.2.xxx. The coding was spotted by X user BERKANT:

According to the update, Tesla will work on improving the headlights when coming into contact with highly reflective objects, including road signs, traffic signs, and street lights. Additionally, pixel-level dimming will happen in two stages, whereas it currently performs with just one, meaning on or off.

Finally, the new system will prevent the high beams from glaring back at the driver. The system is made to dim when it recognizes oncoming cars, but not necessarily objects that could produce glaring issues back at the driver.

Tesla’s revolutionary Matrix headlights are coming to the U.S.

This upgrade is software-focused, so there will not need to be any physical changes or upgrades made to Tesla vehicles that utilize the Matrix headlights currently.

Continue Reading

Elon Musk

xAI’s Grok approved for Pentagon classified systems: report

Under the agreement, Grok can be deployed in systems handling classified intelligence analysis, weapons development, and battlefield operations. 

Published

on

xAI-supercomputer-memphis-environment-pushback
Credit: xAI

Elon Musk’s xAI has signed an agreement with the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to allow Grok to be used in classified military systems.

Previously, Anthropic’s Claude had been the only AI system approved for the most sensitive military work, but a dispute over usage safeguards has reportedly prompted the Pentagon to broaden its options, as noted in a report from Axios.

Under the agreement, Grok can be deployed in systems handling classified intelligence analysis, weapons development, and battlefield operations. 

The publication reported that xAI agreed to the Pentagon’s requirement that its technology be usable for “all lawful purposes,” a standard Anthropic has reportedly resisted due to alleged ethical restrictions tied to mass surveillance and autonomous weapons use.

Advertisement

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to meet with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in what sources expect to be a tense meeting, with the publication hinting that the Pentagon could designate Anthropic a “supply chain risk” if the company does not lift its safeguards. 

Axios stated that replacing Claude fully might be technically challenging even if xAI or other alternative AI systems take its place. That being said, other AI systems are already in use by the DoD. 

Grok already operates in the Pentagon’s unclassified systems alongside Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Google is reportedly close to an agreement that will result in Gemini being used for classified use, while OpenAI’s progress toward classified deployment is described as slower but still feasible. 

The publication noted that the Pentagon continues talks with several AI companies as it prepares for potential changes in classified AI sourcing.

Advertisement
Continue Reading