Tesla’s 2023 Investor Day event brought many exciting updates for the company’s future, but the most significant announcement was the commitment to reducing assembly costs by 50%. Tesla Chief Engineer, Lars Moravy, explained the company’s innovative approach, called the “Unboxed Process,” which will revolutionize car manufacturing.
Traditionally, a vehicle’s body-in-white is constructed from hundreds of stamped panels that are welded together with robots. However, Tesla’s Unboxed Process will use large single-body casting and 4680 structural battery packs, bringing them together in a more streamlined process. Even the seats are raised up into position alongside the floor, mounted directly to the battery pack. This approach will not only reduce costs but also decrease the manufacturing footprint by approximately 40%.
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The ultimate goal of this cost-cutting measure is to make owning a Tesla affordable for everyone. Elon Musk noted that the desire for people to own a Tesla is extremely high, but the limiting factor is their ability to pay for one. With this new approach, Tesla will be able to build an EV for around $20,000.
While the company teased a “next-generation” vehicle throughout the presentation, they did not reveal any specific details. The Model 2 is currently in development and is said to be 30% lighter and have a 25% smaller battery pack than the Model 3. Elon Musk did not comment on the company’s plans for updated versions of the Model Y and Model 3.
Tesla’s commitment to reducing assembly costs through the Unboxed Process marks a significant milestone for the company and the automotive industry as a whole. By making EVs more affordable, Tesla is bringing sustainable transportation closer to reality for everyone.
