Model 3 Production Woes Prompt Electric Semi Delay for Tesla

Tesla’s aggressive goals for Model 3 production have run into a series of setbacks for the company’s planned electric semi truck debut, which has again been pushed back from its overdue September launch.

Oct. 10, 2017

Oct. 10, 2017—Tesla’s aggressive goals for Model 3 production have run into a series of setbacks for the company’s planned electric semi truck debut, which has again been pushed back from its overdue September launch, according to Green Car Reports.

Elon Musk announced the later, Nov. 16 unveil date for Tesla Semi via Twitter, while blaming both “Model 3 bottlenecks” and the ongoing humanitarian situation in Puerto Rico for the delay.

Earlier this year, Tesla announced plans to produce up to 5,000 Model 3s per month by the end of 2017.

A report last week by The Wall Street Journal revealed the company is producing major components of the car by hand, and confirmed production is falling well short the stated goals.

Though Tesla claims the report overstates the extent of the problems facing the factory, Musk did admit on twitter that the Model 3 is “deep in production hell.”

Between the continued production difficulties and Tesla’s efforts to send battery packs to Puerto Rico, the company decided to “recalibrate” the timing for both Model 3 production and the truck’s official debut.