In the anticipation of the forthcoming release of the Project Highland Model 3 in China, Tesla is reportedly priming its Giga Shanghai facility to boost battery production. A recent report by local news outlet 36kr has indicated that Tesla is in the process of reactivating operations for Phase 1 of the battery production line at its Chinese manufacturing facility. This move is aimed at accommodating the projected surge in orders that is expected to follow the official launch of the new Model 3 variant.
The battery production capability at the Shanghai plant is organized into three distinct phases: Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 2.2. According to sources from 36kr, the initial phase has the capacity to manufacture approximately 3,000 to 4,000 battery packs per week. In contrast, the subsequent phases, namely Phase 2 and Phase 2.2, are capable of producing around 10,000 packs each week. Collectively, these phases contribute to a cumulative monthly capacity of 100,000 units.
It is noteworthy that Tesla undertook a round of workforce adjustments last month within the Phase 1 battery production line at Giga Shanghai. This included offering some employees the option to transition to other departments within the factory. However, as per insiders cited by the 36kr report, certain battery production line workers are already making their way back to their posts.
As of now, Tesla has refrained from making any official announcements concerning the upgraded Model 3 variant. Nonetheless, leaked images and undercover photographs suggest significant design revisions, such as fresh headlight and taillight configurations, a revamped interior featuring updated dashboard elements and door panels incorporating integrated RGB lighting.
Should recent reports hold true, the new iteration of the Model 3 is anticipated to launch in China next month. Interestingly, this timeline suggests that Canadian customers might get their hands on the updated electric sedan before their counterparts in the United States. This development comes as a result of Tesla’s strategic decision to import vehicles from China into Canada, diverging from the traditional practice of sourcing cars from the Fremont factory in California.
