AUSTIN — Tesla will construct a car devoted to be used as a robotaxi, and it'll begin making three new automobiles subsequent yr, CEO Elon Musk informed followers at a celebration celebrating the opening of a Texas manufacturing unit.
Musk didn’t give particulars of the robotaxi aside from to say it's going to “look fairly futuristic.” He additionally stated Tesla will begin constructing the Cybertruck pickup at its new manufacturing unit close to Austin, Texas, subsequent yr. After that, it's going to begin constructing a brand new Roadster and an electrical semi, he stated.
He made his remarks Thursday evening on the “Cyber Rodeo at Giga Texas,” an invitation-only celebration for hundreds of visitors at Tesla’s new billion-dollar-plus manufacturing unit.
As many as 15,000 folks have been anticipated to attend the non-public occasion hosted to mark the opening of the brand new manufacturing unit in Travis County that additionally serves as the corporate’s new headquarters following its transfer from California.
Musk stated on the Thursday evening occasion streamed reside on YouTube that Tesla was delivering the primary Mannequin Y small SUVs constructed on the new manufacturing unit, which he stated could make a half million of the SUVs per yr.
Tesla and Musk have typically missed targets to begin producing automobiles. In 2019, he promised a fleet of autonomous robotaxis can be on the street the next yr, however the firm’s “Full Self-Driving” software program remains to be being examined by chosen Tesla house owners on public roads.
The corporate is the biggest maker of electrical automobiles within the U.S. and the world.
Musk stated this yr shall be about scaling up the Austin manufacturing unit in addition to a brand new one in Germany. He additionally stated the corporate could begin constructing a robotic in 2023. “Subsequent yr there’s going to be an enormous wave of latest merchandise,” he informed the gang Thursday evening.
A county-issued allow stated the occasion included interactive excursions, meals, alcohol and reside leisure. However the occasion was off-limits to most people and the information media.
Musk has stated the Austin-area plant will make use of as much as 10,000 staff.