Tesla has reached a notable production landmark this week. If you are a follower of the Californian automotive technology business, you’ll be thrilled to know that the millionth Tesla was built this week.
For a company which has truly gone it alone, Tesla’s achievement is remarkable. The automotive industry is transitioning through a period of unprecedented disruption and Tesla is best positioned to profit from this.
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As a company Tesla has completely reimaged car design and powertrain systems. Its battery-powered vehicle portfolio started in 2008, with the Roadster. That car was not completely Tesla’s own, though. It features a lot of technology and component input, from such automotive industry names such as Lotus and Borg-Warner.
Tesla could never claim the Roadster as a production unit of its own, but when the company’s range grew to a second product stream, with the Model X, everything changed. Production of the Model X was established in 2012 and that is the date when Tesla rightfully became a true car company.
Since 2012 the Tesla product range has grown to three models, with a fourth due this year, the new Model Y crossover. Tesla has surpassed all expectations since starting its own production in 2012. To grow from commissioning their Fremont factory to building a millionth car, in only eight years, is remarkable.
The surge in demand has been nothing short of incredible. Between 2015 and 2020 Tesla has seen deliveries increase from 100 000 to 1 000 000.
With a global network of production facilities (in China and Germany) due to join the company’s Californian production assets during 2020 and 2021, Tesla’s South African born CEO, Elon Musk, is feeling bullish about the company’s prospects.
The millionth Tesla, produced this week, was an early version of its new Model Y crossover. Musk’s goal is selling a million Teslas per year, by 2025. Many have doubted the reality of his ambitions, but Tesla’s impressive growth story appears to show no signs of ebbing.
South Africa’s annoyingly lacking electric vehicle charging infrastructure and weak government policy in this regard, have precluded local Tesla fans from accessing the brand’s amazing cars.
Feature image: Tesla
