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Market & Tech Reports2016-10-24Clean view

Tesla Motors: Accelerating plans for production of 500,000 vehicles to 2018

Production at Gigafactory ahead of schedule, Panasonic to produce battery cells

Overview


The Model 3, which has received slightly fewer than 400,000 reservations (Photo: Tesla Motors)

In fall 2015 Tesla Motors released the SUV Model X, a variant of the Model S, and introduced the Autopilot highway semi-autonomous driving system on both models.

The company is expanding with unprecedented initiative. In 2015 it sold 50,595 vehicles globally, and plans to sell 80 to 90 thousand vehicles in 2016. Previously, the automaker had planned to sell 500 thousand vehicles in 2020. However, after 325 thousand reservations were received for the Model 3, which is scheduled to start production in the second half of 2017 at a base vehicle price of USD 35 thousand, the OEM decided to push its goal up by two years to 2018. Tesla will double the production capacity at its Fremont plant in California and accelerate its manufacturing plans for its Gigafactory, a massive battery plant, by two years. In September 2016, Panasonic, which is in charge of manufacturing battery cells, procured JPY 400 billion in bonds, and will use a large portion of the money to build facilities at the Gigafactory as well as for production.

Following the announcement of Q1 financial statements in May 2016, CEO Elon Musk announced that the OEM will accelerate its plans to achieve the production of one million vehicles in 2020 (a total of 100 to 150 thousand Model S and Model X vehicles, with the rest being Model 3).

There are many who voice concerns as to whether these plans for rapid growth can be achieved as they have been drawn up due to Tesla's lack of experience in mass production, and the massive investments that are needed from the OEM and its suppliers.


Related Reports:
Tesla Motors' vision to sell 500,000 units in 2020 (Feb. 2014)

Local Reconstruction Note

This article has been expanded from the visible local mirror text, headings, tags, image captions, tables, and related local article titles. It is presented as a reconstructed reading version, not as a hidden original document.

Announcement of the Master Plan, Part Deux, planning to release EVs in all major segments

The source outline identifies this section as part of “Tesla Motors: Accelerating plans for production of 500,000 vehicles to 2018”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Model Y, Model S, Model 3, Gigafactory, Sales Forecast, Americans and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.

Plans for launching new models, production, and sales: 500,000 vehicles to be produced in 2018

The source outline identifies this section as part of “Tesla Motors: Accelerating plans for production of 500,000 vehicles to 2018”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Model Y, Model S, Model 3, Gigafactory, Sales Forecast, Americans and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.

Tesla Motors: Construction of the "Gigafactory" large battery plant, Panasonic responsible for production of cells

The source outline identifies this section as part of “Tesla Motors: Accelerating plans for production of 500,000 vehicles to 2018”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Model Y, Model S, Model 3, Gigafactory, Sales Forecast, Americans and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.

Handling of Autopilot accidents: Strengthening measures to disable no-handed driving

The source outline identifies this section as part of “Tesla Motors: Accelerating plans for production of 500,000 vehicles to 2018”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Model Y, Model S, Model 3, Gigafactory, Sales Forecast, Americans and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.

Pessimism over the Model 3 sales target

The source outline identifies this section as part of “Tesla Motors: Accelerating plans for production of 500,000 vehicles to 2018”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of Model Y, Model S, Model 3, Gigafactory, Sales Forecast, Americans and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.

Related Local Signals

Nearby records in the local archive include Taipei AMPA 2026: Foxconn’s EV Technology; Smart Energy Week 2026: Batteries and Charging; Electrified Vehicle (xEV) Sales Monthly Report (March 2026); Geely i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid Technology Presentation. These titles can be used as adjacent evidence when comparing suppliers, technologies, markets, and reporting periods.