Tesla: A Year in Recap – 2023

Tesla, a pioneering force in the automotive industry, underwent a transformative year in 2023, marked by innovative technological advancements, strategic collaborations, and monumental developments. The year witnessed Tesla’s ambitious plans and remarkable milestones, ranging from Gigafactory expansions, cutting-edge battery technology, and groundbreaking AI integrations to significant shifts in electric vehicle charging standards and manufacturing processes.

Tesla Unveils Gigafactory Mexico Plan

In 2023, Gigafactory Mexico obtained all the necessary permits for its construction, awaiting Tesla’s final approval after the company had paused the project. Earlier in the year, Tesla’s Investor Day had announced the Gigafactory in Mexico as part of their plan to construct a new facility in Nuevo León, having secured federal land permits for the upcoming construction.

Texas Gigafactory Hits 20M 4680 Cells

Tesla unveiled the groundbreaking 4680 battery cell during Battery Day in 2020, aiming to enhance the performance and longevity of its electric vehicles. The company worked relentlessly to mass-produce this innovative battery design, anticipating a significant reduction in battery costs by over 50%, revolutionizing the electric vehicle industry. It was estimated that Tesla was producing approximately 625,000 cells per week. With ongoing production enhancements and optimizations, the manufacturing rate likely exceeded this figure, potentially surpassing 800,000 cells weekly.

Tesla Hits 5M Car Milestone

Getting to 5 million vehicles was a remarkable journey for Tesla. The company took approximately 12.5 years to achieve this significant feat, which began in March 2020 with the production of its one-millionth vehicle. Moving quickly, Tesla proudly announced the sale of its third millionth car in August 2022. Surprisingly, the company reached the 4 million mark in just seven months after that. Six months later, Tesla celebrated the manufacture of its five millionth vehicle.

NACS adoption by Ford leads to industry-wide adoption

In a May Spaces call, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley discussed plans to adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) during a conversation with Elon Musk. This decision marked Ford’s commitment to utilizing Tesla’s charging hardware, potentially allowing Ford EVs access to the Supercharger network. It represented an initial move by Tesla to open its charging network to all EVs.

Following Ford’s announcement, several major automakers and startups have embraced this standard, which aligns with Tesla’s charging strategy. The Stellantis group, which includes Chrysler-Dodge, is an exception that has yet to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS).

Hilton Teams Up with Tesla for EV Charging

Tesla has been actively promoting charging stations to assist EV owners, forming a partnership with Hilton to create an extensive charging network. This partnership aimed to install nearly 20,000 Tesla Universal Wall Connectors across 2,000 Hilton hotels in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, significantly increasing EV charging infrastructure.

Hilton began the installation of Tesla Universal Wall Connectors at its properties in early 2024, ensuring a minimum of six chargers per hotel. This initiative aimed to provide more convenient charging options for EV owners staying at Hilton hotels. For travelers and Tesla EV owners, installing EV chargers at Hilton Hotels meant added convenience during their stays.

Tesla’s One-Piece Casting: Automotive Innovation

Tesla had been close to revolutionizing car manufacturing, aiming for a simplified process like making toy cars. They developed a technique to cast most of an electric car’s underbody in one piece, potentially replacing 400 parts. This innovation formed the core of Tesla’s strategy to produce millions of affordable electric vehicles. They aimed to launch a small EV at $25,000 by mid-decade, starting production in Texas and exploring expansion in Mexico and India.

Tesla’s Dojo Supercomputer

Tesla began producing the Dojo supercomputer in July, first shown during AI Day in 2021. This supercomputer cluster was built to handle large amounts of data while performing advanced AI and machine learning computations. Dojo’s capabilities extend to applications such as the Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta and beyond, revolutionizing AI processing for Tesla’s future technologies. It is expected to rank among the world’s leading supercomputers soon.

Tesla’s Model S and Model X Refresh: Enhanced Braking Performance

Tesla had introduced compelling upgrades for the Model S and Model X refresh vehicles, focusing on style and brake performance enhancement.

For these vehicles, especially those manufactured since mid-2021, Tesla unveiled the Higher Thermal Capacity (HTC) brake pad kit. This kit, comprising updated brake pads, aimed to deliver an improved pedal feel, more predictable braking, and reduced onset of brake fade. These enhancements promised more effective and consistent brake performance for Model S and Model X refresh car owners.

Tesla Dominates Top Four Spots on 2023 American-Made Index

Tesla had asserted its dominance in the American-Made Index in 2023, a compilation by Cars.com ranking vehicles manufactured and sold in the United States. The evaluation meticulously considered 388 vehicles, selecting the top 100 for the index.

The remarkable performance of Tesla this year was attributed in part to the company’s increased workforce at Gigafactory Texas, notably for producing the Model Y. Even vehicles like the Model S and Model X, absent from the previous year’s list, secured spots in the Top 10, showcasing Tesla’s expanding American workforce.

Elon Musk Unveils Tesla’s Remarkable Full Self-Driving v12 Alpha

Tesla’s visionary CEO, Elon Musk, has been at the forefront of groundbreaking technology, most notably Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) innovation in the automotive sector. The FSD suite provided various semi-autonomous driving tools, such as self-parking and semi-automated highway driving. However, “Full Self-Driving” was potentially misleading because it did not guarantee complete autonomy. The scheduled release of FSD version 12 Alpha represented a significant upgrade, reflecting Tesla’s commitment to automotive innovation and independence, even as complete autonomy remained a work in progress.

Tesla Partners with Yahua Group for Lithium Supply

Tesla has extended its agreement with China’s Yahua Industrial Group, securing a continuous lithium supply for its electric car batteries. The deal includes a significant increase in lithium amounts over five years or until 2030. Yahua plans to double its lithium production capacity by 2025. The contract reaffirms Tesla’s commitment to sustainable transportation.

Tesla’s Innovative Steer-by-Wire System Patent

Tesla advanced automotive innovation with its steer-by-wire patent application, eliminating mechanical links in steering systems. This game-changing technology promised streamlined manufacturing, improved driving experiences, and precise steering ratios, transforming vehicle design.

Despite regulatory obstacles, Tesla’s pursuit of steer-by-wire technology represented a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to innovation. Tesla’s proactive approach to transforming the automotive landscape with cutting-edge advancements in electric vehicle technology was highlighted in this patent filing.

Tesla’s AI Integration by Grok AI

To enhance the driving experience, Tesla planned to integrate Grok AI, an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, into its electric vehicle fleet. Grok AI, inspired by “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” aimed to answer queries with wit and a rebellious streak. Grok AI’s integration into Tesla vehicles aimed to utilize vast data resources generated by xAI, potentially extending its availability through social media platforms.

Tesla’s commitment to voice-command technology facilitated Grok AI’s integration, aligning with Musk’s goal of autonomous cars that understand and respond to user commands.

Tesla’s Landmark Deal: Selling Supercharging Equipment to BP

In a groundbreaking agreement, Tesla made history by selling $100 million worth of Supercharging equipment to BP (formerly British Petroleum) in October. This landmark deal opened the door for potential commercial partnerships, signaling a promising revenue stream ahead, particularly with Tesla’s NACS emerging as the forthcoming charging standard in the coming years.

Introducing Tesla’s FSD Beta V12

Tesla’s FSD Beta V12 underwent extensive testing, aiming for a wider release. Transitioning to neural network-based AI, the update showed promise but faced skepticism due to concerns about its performance in varying conditions, delaying its potential rollout.

Elon Musk hands over initial Tesla Cybertrucks at special event

After a four-year delay, the Tesla Cybertruck has debuted. Elon Musk unveiled the electric pickup at a delivery event in Austin, Texas, highlighting its unique features like towing capacity, bulletproof doors, and impressive speed. Customers received their trucks and encountered minor issues with the door opening before Tesla updated vehicle specs and pricing on its website. The base rear-wheel drive model, priced at $60,990 (pre-discounts), won’t be available until 2025. Meanwhile, the top-tier ‘Cyberbeast’ starts at $99,990 and offers an estimated 320 miles of range.

Tesla held the Cybertruck delivery event late last month after unveiling the vehicle four years ago in November 2019. Initial deliveries of Tesla’s “Foundation Series” launch edition Cybertrucks have been going out to employees throughout this month, and many reservation holders have been invited to place their orders for the vehicle.

As 2023 draws close, Tesla remains at the forefront of automotive innovation. The year wrapped Tesla’s unwavering commitment to redefining transportation through sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology. Tesla continues to chart a course toward an electrifying future, setting new automotive benchmarks with its significant milestones.