Tesla Cybertrucks continue to roll across production lines at Giga Texas

Tesla Cybertrucks continue to roll across production lines at Giga Texas, as another sighting shared recently indicates that the automaker is working hard to get units ready for production.

After the first Cybertruck unit was built on lines at Gigafactory Texas a few weeks ago, Tesla is continuing to push forward and work toward initial deliveries, which are still expected by the end of the year.

Tesla Cybertruck spotted with calibration equipment in newest sighting

Perhaps the newest Cybertruck unit built by Tesla was spotted on a line at Giga Texas and was shared to a Facebook group (via Greggertruck):

We only get a brief look at the pickup, apparently being surveilled by numerous onlookers as the Cybertruck is evidently a wow factor, even for those who see it on a daily basis as they work toward initial mass production. The car is still going through its validation and testing phases, according to Tesla, but the automaker is more than ready to get the first units to customers after a nearly four-year wait.

The Cybertruck is a different animal in the realm of pickups, and its massive design, which is made up of new materials and new technology, is something that even a manufacturing expert like Tesla is having to work through with the initial kinks.

Musk said during the recent Q2 2023 Earnings Call:

“I do want to emphasize that the Cybertruck has a lot of new technology in it, like a lot. It doesn’t look like — it doesn’t look like any other vehicle because it is not like any other vehicle. So — and the production ramp will move as fast as the slowest and least likely elements of the entire supply chain and internal production.”

He also highlighted the difference between the Cybertruck and past vehicles:

“But first order approximation, there’s like 10,000 unique parts and processes in the Cybertruck. And if any one of — it will go as fast as the least lucky, least well-executed element of the 10,000.”

It is going to take some time for Tesla to get grips on Cybertruck production, especially by Musk’s estimate. That seems to be why sightings of any unit on a production line have so much hype behind them.

Please email me with questions and comments at joey@teslarati.com. I’d love to chat! You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla Cybertrucks continue to roll across production lines at Giga Texas

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Tesla adds new method to Referral Program that doesn’t require a purchase

Tesla has introduced a new way to earn credits through its Referral Program that does not necessitate the referred person to buy a car.

Tesla has added Demo Drives in the U.S. for people to earn credits for simply getting a non-Tesla owner to take a test drive.

Every person that test drives a vehicle at a showroom and uses your referral code will qualify you for 100 credits.

The best way to perhaps give someone even a hint of an idea of buying an EV is to let them experience it for themselves. It is vastly different from any combustion engine vehicle, and Teslas offer an experience that is even unique to other EVs.

It is a great way to perhaps spark someone’s interest and could translate to more referral credits in the future if they ultimately decide to ditch their current car or add a Tesla to their garage.

The Referral Program has been around for several years and has previously incentivized people to spread the word about Tesla’s vehicles and Energy products.

The program has offered things like money off a new purchase, Supercharging miles, and Full Self-Driving, and has even helped people take delivery of a new vehicle for free thanks to a raffle.

Tesla gave away a Model Y to a Referral Program winner

While the Referral Program is active in several markets, this offer is exclusive to U.S. Tesla owners, and there is currently no word on whether it will be added to Europe, Asia, or Australia, where the program is currently active.

Please email me with questions and comments at joey@teslarati.com. I’d love to chat! You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla adds new method to Referral Program that doesn’t require a purchase

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Tesla Model 3 proves amazingly reliable in long-term ownership survey

It would not be an exaggeration to state that the Tesla Model 3 is the battery electric vehicle that effectively brought EVs to the mainstream market. It was a well-designed electric car with sports car-level performance and bleeding-edge technology that’s offered at a price that rivals that of combustion-powered cars. 

The Model 3 is still a fairly new car on the road, having only started its customer deliveries in July 2017. This means that today, the first large batches of Model 3 sedans are likely hitting their five-year mark. And as per a Bloomberg survey of over 5,000 Model 3 owners, it would appear that the all-electric sedan is actually very reliable. 

Bloomberg published an extensive study of Model 3 owners back in 2019. At the time, most of the EV owners who were part of the survey were optimistic about their vehicles. As per the publication, its follow-up study reveals that the vehicle is still well-loved, even after years of ownership. The Model 3’s ratings were particularly impressive for performance, ease of use, and design. 

When asked if the Model 3 has been more reliable than previous cars that they owned, the majority of the respondents noted that they strongly agreed or agreed with the statement. Interestingly enough, the Model 3’s reliability only grew over time, with owners in 2023 noting that once initial defects such as paint imperfections and misaligned panels were corrected, the vehicle’s major systems held up very well. 

“The only problem I had in 90,000 miles was a broken window button. It cost $51, and they came to my office to repair it,” one Model 3 owner noted. 

When asked to rate the reliability of the Model 3 across several aspects of the all-electric sedan, the EV owners also gave the entry-level Tesla high marks. The majority of the survey’s respondents noted that they were still satisfied with the Model 3’s brakes and chassis, battery and drive system, electronics, climate control, interior, and exterior. 

Ultimately, the results of the publication’s 2023 study support the idea that well-made electric vehicles would have excellent reliability and they would likely require significantly less upkeep than their combustion-powered peers. 

Check out Bloomberg‘s 2023 Tesla ownership study here

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up. 

Tesla Model 3 proves amazingly reliable in long-term ownership survey

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