Tesla Giga Shanghai Steps Up, Preparing for Increased Production

Image: @DominicBRNKMN/X

Tesla releases Actually Smart Summon, gearing up for the unveiling of Robotaxi, and ramping up production at Giga Shanghai. Welcome to the weekly news roundup with Jowua.

Tesla finally releases Actually Smart Summon

Tesla has released an improved version of Smart Summon called Actually Smart Summon (ASS). It autonomously delivers a car to its owner or to a designated parking spot. The self-driving car can maneuver around obstacles that are in its path to arrive safely at the location. The new feature also allows owners to send the self-driving car to park. ASS relies on Tesla's Vision System rather than Ultrasonic Sensors (USS).

Tesla Giga Shanghai sold 86,697 vehicles in August

According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Giga Shanghai sold 86,697 vehicles in August 2024, including both domestic sales and exports. This represents a 17% increase from July and a 3% increase from the same month last year. This is the highest volume of vehicles produced by Tesla’s China factory since March 2024, demonstrating that production at Giga Shanghai has recovered after slowing earlier this year.

Robotaxi unveiling may take place at Warner Bros. Studio

The Robotaxi unveiling event is scheduled for October 10, and Tesla is ramping up efforts to prepare for it. It was expected to take place at Giga Texas in Austin, but there are indications that it may take place at Warner Bros. movie studio in Burbank, California.

Over the weekend, Tesla hacker @greentheonly/X revealed that the company has stepped up data collection, particularly around Warner Bros. Studio. He noted that data collection has also increased in other areas, such as the Tesla Diner in Hollywood, various locations in San Francisco, and the Bay Area. Green said that the data collection program around Warner Bros. Studio began around August 28, 2024. It is possible that Tesla is preparing to demonstrate the Robotaxi functionality on the streets of these areas.

Tesla plans six-seater Model Y for Europe and China

According to a new report, the Texas-based automaker is set to begin production of a six-seater Model Y at Giga Shanghai. Last week, it was reported that the configuration had been approved for sale in Europe. The new report has revealed that it will also be available for sale in China. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2025, and all Tesla suppliers have already been warned that Giga Shanghai will ramp up production significantly.