Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the carmaker intends to commence production of cars on its highly-anticipated next-generation vehicle platform starting next year. However, Musk cautioned that it won’t be a simple task and the timing is not set in stone.
“Our current schedule indicates that production will begin towards the end of 2025, sometime in the second half,” Musk disclosed during Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings call on Wednesday.
He emphasized the challenge of accelerating production on the new and “revolutionary” assembly line, stating, “We really need the engineers to be living on the line. This is not sort of an off-the-shelf, just works type of thing.”
Tesla’s upcoming platform will initially be constructed at its Texas factory and is anticipated to serve as the foundation for a long-promised affordable vehicle. The addition of a lower-priced, mass-market model is crucial for Tesla’s future growth as the company’s lineup mainly consists of just two models—the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV, while the new Cybertruck is expensive and unlikely to sell in large volumes.
The first next-generation vehicle from Tesla will reportedly be a compact crossover referred to as “Redwood,” as per a report by Reuters.
Musk’s track record for meeting deadlines is not the best, so it remains to be seen if the 2025 target will be met. He initially proposed a plan for a $25,000 car in 2020, stating at the time that it would launch in three years. Tesla’s Cybertruck pickup was launched in late 2023, years behind schedule, and the Roadster supercar remains unseen years after its public unveiling.
During Wednesday’s call, Musk acknowledged the possibility of surpassing the 2025 goal, stating, “I don’t want to blow your minds, but I’m often optimistic regarding time.”