Elon Musk's three requirements for a new Tesla Model 3 have been fulfilled.
Before changing the Model 3's design, Musk had to do three things. The stage is set for a refresh of the company's mass-market sedan with reports of "Project Highland" funneling through the automaker's future plans. Musk met with Sandy Munro, a veteran of the industry, to discuss everything related to the company. The meeting was catalyzed by the developments in manufacturing efficiency that was met with praise and criticism.
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Questions regarding the Model 3, an obvious sibling of the Model Y, came to the surface, with Munro wondering when the sedan would receive improvements in its build. The Model 3 was an example of engineering prowess. The vehicle featured a frame with many parts, a technique that was improved upon with the Model Y.
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While eliminating excess parts and decreasing production time,Tesla switched to a more efficient casting design that increased structural rigidity and safety. The Model 3 was always going to get these updates, though Musk walked on eggshells about when it would actually happen. Musk laid down a few ground rules that needed to be met before the Model 3 could be improved. At some point, we will probably switch to a single-piece casting, but we need to get the Texas factory and the Berlin factory up and running.
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We have an issue. It is difficult to change the wheels on a bus that is going 80 mph. Most of our volume was Model 3. We need an opportunity to redo the factory without blowing the cash flow of the company. According to a report, "Project Highland" will reduce the number of components in the Model 3 while also improving technology features.
TEXAS AND BERLIN FACTORIES
Gigafactory Texas and Gigafactory Berlin were in not yet producing or delivering cars when Musk met with Munro
It had not launched in several countries it recently started delivering cars to, and Texas and Berlin had production start dates far off. The first reports of "Project Highland" became public in December of 2022. Customer deliveries have been going on for months as Texas and Berlin produce Model Ys. While Berlin has been producing cars for a longer period than Texas, both are ramping adequately, which has continued to surge the company toward its first million-unit year.
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While the production facilities are not fully ramping and have not yet reached full capacity, Musk didn't say he needed the two newest manufacturing plants to be cranking out vehicles to their limit. They fit that description because he said they needed to get going.
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MODEL 3 CANNOT BE A MAJORITY OF TESLA’S VOLUME
The Model 3 was still Tesla’s best-selling vehicle in January 2021, and this would not change in the United States until June 2021 and in China until October 2021
The Model Y was a low-volume vehicle at the time and featured new vehicle technology and manufacturing techniques. Musk always said the Model Y would be the most popular car on the planet, as the Model 3 was becoming outdated with every sale. It didn't take long for the Model Y to overtake the Model 3, and now that it has been solidified as the best-selling car in the world, the Model 3 can undergo quite a transformation. Recent images show a Model 3 with various panel covers, hiding what could be anything from new sensor designs, like what was uncovered by Electrek earlier this week, or a new manufacturing design that just isn't ready to be unveiled yet.
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The Model 3 is going to face some substantial changes, whether they are cosmetic or not remains to be seen. It is no coincidence that Musk's plan to change the Model 3 has become a reality as the conditions for the change have been met. There is no confirmation from the company that it would redesign the vehicle. Musk did not deny the report, as he has done in the past. After manufacturer plates were spotted on the partially-forbidden Model 3, all indications point to a newly-realized design heading into 2023.
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