Tesla seemed to provide a hint that something big is starting soon at the Gigafactory in Nevada. The automaker is searching for a manager to be the lead man for a group of engineers who will handle the production lines for the Tesla Semi, possibly indicating that the hauling machine will soon enter the assembly phase.
The latest job posting is in line with Tesla's earlier statements that the all-electric semi-truck could start volume production this 2021. However, the company provided no specific details as it was originally understood that the Semi will be assembled in Giga Texas, which is still under construction.
According to Electrek, Tesla is committed to make early deliveries of the Semi to select customers so commencing on the production stage of the semi-truck within the current year makes sense. And recruiting the man to run the program is indeed a solid indicator that the EV is shaping up in the coming months.
However, the idea that Tesla will build the Semi in Nevada is a bit intriguing. The company might have been forced by circumstances because Giga Texas is not yet prepared for production duties and the Fremont factory in California is likely too busy to handle the task.
If indeed the Gigafactory in Nevada will be the first to roll out the electric semi-truck, it will be unusual for same the facility. In normal times, the plant manufactures lithium-ion batteries and other vehicle components so it came as a surprise that Tesla will suddenly use the location to assemble electric vehicles.
If that is the case, the automaker is expected to make considerable adjustments that will allow the Gigafactory Nevada to manufacture Semi units, according to Car Buzz.
Most likely, Tesla's plan is to do aspects of the Semi production in Nevada and support the undertaking by assigning some of the works to Fremont, added the report. It could be that in starting early on the production, the automaker is going to fulfill a specific number of orders and en route to the large-scale manufacturing that will come later.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Semi in 2017, which was then described as a class 8 hauling beast with 80,000-lb capacity. The initial plan was to offer the electric semi-truck in two main options - the 300-mile and 500-mile versions that will sell at $150,000 and $180,000 respectively.
Then in 2018, Musk announced that another option will be made available and it will boast of 600 miles of driving range per charge. The Semi, he added, will commence production this year but since it will be a low-volume production start, the actual rollout timing is still unknown.
