Tesla Makes Room For New Production Line In Fremont

Tesla Inc TSLA submitted applications to demolish and update certain production lines at the Fremont factory, according to recent filings shared by Teslarati.

This move aligns with leaked images of the Project Highland Model 3, hinting at a major production shift for the EV manufacturer.

The company's application, filed last Thursday, detailed plans to remove "multiple equipment, tools, and utilities" lines. The need for such comprehensive changes, rather than mere upgrades or revisions, suggests the production process for the vehicle being manufactured on these lines is due for a significant overhaul.

This is a departure from Tesla's usual practice: when equipment ages or requires replacement, the company typically files for line revisions as "Improvements," "Upgrades" or "Revisions," rather than full-scale demolitions.

The implication here is intriguing: Tesla could be gearing up for mass production of its Project Highland Model 3 which is rumored to have a dramatically different front-end design compared to the current model. The installation of new manufacturing lines could be a strategic move to streamline the production of this redesigned vehicle.

Since its inception in 2017, Model 3 production has been based at the Fremont factory, with the only other production site being Giga Shanghai in China. With Tesla expected to roll out the new design in the coming months, these filings could indicate that Fremont is set to become the launchpad for the revamped Model 3. 

Photo: Model 3 Courtesy of Tesla