Tesla CEO Elon Musk has indicated that his EV company may launch a low-cost, mass-produced budget EV soon. Codenamed Project Redwood, the announcement of the development of the compact SUV has auto enthusiasts and Tesla fans alike excited.
However, the people working on Project Redwood at Tesla’s EV factories might be in for a rough ride. Workers at the company’s Texas manufacturing plant may need to adopt an intense work schedule, including sleeping at the facility, to accelerate the production of the affordable electric vehicle, per Business Insider’s report.
Musk made these comments during an earnings call, emphasizing the challenging production ramp for the forthcoming EV, slated for manufacturing in 2025.
This strategy aligns with Musk’s past approach during “production hell,” where he and Tesla workers have slept at the company’s factories to meet production goals.
While such measures aim to expedite production, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on quality control. Tesla vehicles have faced criticism for various quality issues, including problems with suspension, driving range, and exterior finish. Notable examples include misaligned doors in the Cybertruck and exterior molding issues in Model Y.
Project Redwood is being positioned as an affordable Tesla, which targets a broader market segment, following several Chinese EV brands’ success in eating away at Tesla’s prospects in the EU and specific Asian markets.
The link between intensive work conditions and quality control problems remains a hallmark of Musk’s ventures. Musk’s involvement in X (formerly Twitter), where staff reportedly slept at headquarters after his acquisition in October 2022, had coincided with increased reports of bugs in the platform.
The announcement also raises questions about whether Tesla can deliver its longstanding promise of a $25,000 EV for the mass market. Musk has been discussing the introduction of an affordable Tesla for years, but the actual production of even the prototype of such a vehicle has yet to materialize.
