Tesla Confirms Launch of Next-Gen Vehicle in 2025; Anticipates a Surge in Growth

January 25, 2024

By Kevin Armstrong

Next Gen Concept

Not a Tesla App

Elon Musk provided intriguing details about Tesla’s highly anticipated next-generation vehicle, internally codenamed "Redwood." Musk emphasized this vehicle's impact, not just in its design but more significantly in its manufacturing process. The details came during the fourth quarter earnings call, and despite cautioning listeners that the call was not about future production, the CEO gave us a lot to talk about.

He stated, "This is a revolutionary manufacturing system significantly, far more advanced than any other automotive manufacturing system in the world by a significant margin." Musk continued, “I am confident that once it is going, it will be head and shoulders above any other manufacturing technology that exists anywhere in the world. It's next level.”

Production Timeline and Locations

Acknowledging his tendency for optimism, especially regarding timelines, Musk conveyed a realistic yet confident tone, “our current schedule shows that we will start production towards the end of 2025. So sometime in the second half. That's just what our current schedule says. But there's a lot of new technology like a tremendous amount of new revolutionary manufacturing technology here.”

The first manufacturing location for the "Redwood" will be Tesla's Gigafactory and headquarters in Austin, Texas. The new platform was originally set for Mexico. Musk explained that moving locations was strategic, “The reason I wanted to put this new revolutionary manufacturing line at Giga Texas was because we need the engineers to be living on the line. This is not sort of off the shelf, just works type of thing. And it's just a lot easier for Tesla engineering to live online if it's in Austin versus elsewhere.” Following Austin, the second production site is planned in Mexico, with a third location outside North America being considered for identification by late this year or early next.

Musk delved into the complexities of Tesla's manufacturing process for the upcoming next-generation vehicle, highlighting the challenges and innovations involved. Musk acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the manufacturing S-curve, noting, "So it's always difficult to predict what that S-curve of manufacturing looks like. So it always starts off real slow, and then it grows exponentially." He emphasized the difficulty in forecasting the intermediate stages of this curve and refrained from making specific predictions about unit volume for the upcoming year.

Tesla's Next Growth Wave

Tesla's next vehicle will be manufactured in 2025

Not a Tesla App

Musk further explained the uniqueness of the manufacturing equipment required for the next-gen vehicle, stating, "There's a lot of specialized machines that make the machine for a next-gen vehicle. So these are not machines you can just order from anyone. You have to design a machine that has never existed to build a car in a way that has never existed." This innovative approach underlines Tesla's commitment to redefining the manufacturing process. Musk emphasized the company's focus on ensuring the successful execution of its next growth wave, driven by the next-gen vehicle, energy storage, full self-driving, and other projects. This strategy is a testament to Tesla's dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and manufacturing in the automotive industry.

Tesla's CFO, Vaibhav Taneja, added context to the company's growth trajectory. He indicated that Tesla is currently between two major growth waves: the first driven by the global expansion of Models 3 and Y, and the next anticipated to be initiated by the next-gen vehicle. Taneja highlighted that in 2024, volume growth will be lower as the team focuses on the launch of this new platform.

Tesla Is Now Offering Cybertruck Test Drives [List of Locations]

July 26, 2024

By Karan Singh

@brandonhd

Tesla has begun to reach out to customers in the United States and is offering demo drives of the Cybertruck on an invite-only basis. @brandonhd on X shared the first invite image, and it looks like it's going out quite quickly to multiple locations that have Cybertrucks on display.

Up until now, display vehicles have been for just that – looking, but no touching. Some Tesla delivery centers and showrooms have also allowed viewers to take a seat inside and open it up, but most are still locked away behind the velvet rope.

It’s exciting to see that Tesla has begun to demo them – and it can only be so long until demo drives open up to everyone.

Advisor-led Demo

This Demo Drive is led by a Tesla Advisor – while you’re driving, the advisor will be in the passenger seat, walking you through the experience. They’ll explain steer-by-wire, off-road controls, and will introduce new-to-Tesla buyers to all the features that are currently available.

Once FSD V12.5 comes to the Cybertruck, we’re sure they’ll be demoing its capabilities FSD capabilities as well.

Locations

The list of locations so far for demo drives appears to be fairly limited, but we will hopefully see demo drives roll out throughout the United States, and eventually Canada too. Here is the current list of city/state locations that have seen demo drive invites.

Manhasset, New York
West Covina, California
Los Angeles, California
Houston, Texas
Orlando, Florida
Westmont, Illinois
Tucson, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Delaware

Musk Confirms 'Actually Smart Summon' is Coming in a Revision of FSD V12.5

July 26, 2024

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

Actually Smart Summon, the successor to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, has been confirmed to be coming as soon as next month as per Elon Musk. Colloquially known as “ASS”, Actually Smart Summon is supposed to improve on the regular Smart Summon capabilities, which have historically used ultrasonic sensors (USS) to navigate parking lots.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon, and we’re quite excited about what other features will be unlocked once it finally shows up at our doorstep.

Vision-based Improvements

ASS is supposed to bring Smart Summon to vehicles that don’t have USS – using Tesla Vision. Most recently, Tesla has brought Autopark to vehicles without USS, and Vision-based Autopark has been a huge success. It is faster, more reliable, and smoother than the older USS-based solution. It can also park and maneuver in tighter locations.

Just recently, Tesla returned the Model X’s self-presenting doors, using Tesla Vision. Vision has seen some fantastic improvements, and many people are waiting for ASS to bring forth these improvements to Smart Summon.

Smart Summon Today

Today, Smart Summon is sometimes useful at best, usually a party trick, or downright dangerous at worst. It’s excellent and best used in straight lines, where you have a clear line of sight of the vehicle, and can stop it if doesn’t see an obstacle.

I used Smart Summon today, just before writing this article – my 2022 Model Y (with USS) – did manage to show up just fine – in a straight-line location from where I was parked, after exiting the parking spot fairly cleanly. However, I’ve previously used Smart Summon and have had the vehicle turn towards obstacles, such as cart returns or curbs. Overall, it’s a sometimes-useful feature that has a lot of drawbacks right now.

Smart Summon is also restricted to a certain distance – and it's pretty small. The max distance is shorter than most parking lots, being only about 215 ft (65m). If you’re lucky enough to park close, it's very useful to bring your car right to you.

Actually Smart Summon

ASS will bring FSD V12-like capabilities to Smart Summon – the vehicle will primarily use Vision to drive toward you (or the location you’ve indicated). ASS has been supposed to be coming since about September 2022 and has seen many delays – we’re almost at the 2-year point today.

We’re looking forward to Actually Smart Summon being able to bring the vehicle – safely – right to you. ASS is also one of the key steps towards bringing some other cool features that Elon Musk has previously mentioned – Park Seek and Banish Autopark.

We’re also hopeful that Actually Smart Summon will increase the maximum range a vehicle can be summoned, because the current range is fairly small. Alongside Park Seek and Banish Autopark, we’re closing in on a Robotaxi-based future.

Park Seek and Banish Autopark

When the FSD v12.4 showed up, Elon also mentioned that going forward, vehicles would automatically park themselves when arriving in a parking lot – Park Seek – and that if you got out of the car at the entrance to a business, you could get it to automatically park itself in the parking lot – Banish Autopark. These are two features that are needed for Robotaxi to work – which itself is delayed to October 10^th of this year. We’re looking quite forward to them – as in combination with Actually Smart Summon, Tesla has reached the cusp of vehicle autonomy.

A vehicle that arrives, driverless, at the location you’re at, then drives somewhere, parks itself there, and waits for you – is the definition of a Robotaxi.

While we’re likely to have to wait for Banish Autopark and Park Seek just a bit longer, Actually Smart Summon being around the corner is exciting! Gone will be the days of having to run out to your car when you forgot your umbrella – your car will just come right to you instead.