Citing production problems, Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk pushed the unveiling of their much awaited big rig truck on Monday Manila time. In a post on Tweeter, the electric vehicle makers was in the process of diverting resources to fix production issues of its latest sedan known as the Model 3. Musk was quoted about Tesla’s Model 3 being in “deep in production hell” which echoed his own comments last July, when Tesla presented some of the first cars of that model range.
The Model 3 could help Tesla approach its goal of becoming more of a mass market producer. Recent comments have tempered expectations about the speed of the increase in production, though.
The Palo Alto, California-based company delivered just 220 Model 3 sedans and produced 260 in the third quarter. It had planned to produce more than 1,500.
Musk also tweeted the company was diverting resources to increasing battery production to help hurricane-hit Puerto Rico, where most residents remain without electricity.
Late last week Tesla reported that “production bottlenecks” had left it behind the planned ramp-up for the Model 3.
In response to a Tesla customer asking if he would get his car delivered this year, Musk tweeted, “December will be a big month, so probably, but it is impossible to be certain right now.”
A report from Wall Street Journal said parts of the Model 3 were being made by hand as recently as early September, which contributed to production delays.
Musk also said that Tesla would reschedule the unveiling of its semi-truck to Nov. 16 as it focuses on fixing production issues tied to Model 3 and increases battery production for Puerto Rico.
The unveiling of the truck, called Tesla Semi, has been delayed for the second time this year. Musk had initially said the truck would be unveiled in September, but he later rescheduled it to late October and recently this month.
Tesla’s Semi-Truck is a heavy duty all-electric truck that has a range of 200-300 miles on a full charge. Musk also revealed that compared to conventional trucks, the “Nikola” is 70 percent cheaper to maintain. “This truck will have the highest weight capability with long range capabilities,” adds Musk. The Semi Truck will be powered by an innovative battery that can handle an increased load bearing capacity and has the power to outrun any big rig in the market today. “Semi specs are better than anything I’ve seen reported so far. Semi eng/design team work is aces, but other needs are greater right now,” Elon replied to a twitter user who asked him about the specifications of the semi-truck. The renegade inventor from making a bold prediction that his electric truck can “out-torque any diesel semi” while be driven around “like a sports car.”
Musk also revealed that Tesla has sent more battery installers to Puerto Rico to help restore power after a Hurricane knocked out power on the island weeks ago.