Tesla’s Fremont factory has reached another production milestone with the assembly of its one millionth Model Y, the second major milestone at the factory in a matter of days.
Tesla announced the milestone in a post on X, highlighting how the “Big tent came a long way,” and noting that it was on June 8, 2018, that the first Model 3 came out of GA4, the same line now responsible for the millionth Model Y on October 25, 2024.
Big tent came a long way
June 8, 2018 – 1st Model 3 coming out of GA4 at Fremont Factory
October 25, 2024 – 1 millionth Model Y built at GA4 pic.twitter.com/8SuyuxZbtu
— Tesla (@Tesla) October 26, 2024
The Fremont Factory itself has an interesting history. Originally built in 1962 by General Motors, it later became the site of a joint venture between GM and Toyota called NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.). For years, the factory produced models for both brands before shutting down in 2010 due to financial constraints at GM.
That same year, Tesla acquired the facility, with a mind to transform it into a hub for electric vehicle (EV) production. At the time, Tesla had only recently launched the Roadster, and the idea of the company entering high volume production seemed distant. But as demand for Tesla’s vehicles grew, the Fremont Factory’s importance and capabilities expanded rapidly.
One key production evolution at Fremont was the introduction of tents as temporary expansion facilities. Tesla’s innovative and cost-effective use of tents gained widespread attention in 2018, when the company erected a large tent on the Fremont grounds, known as GA4, to produce the Model 3. This temporary structure allowed Tesla to increase production without the need for costly and time-consuming factory expansions.
GA4 became a pivotal part of Tesla’s journey to overcome initial production challenges, enabling the company to meet growing demand for the Model 3 and later accommodate the Model Y, which has since become the world’s best-selling vehicle, a first for an EV.
In addition to reaching the one-millionth Model Y milestone, the Fremont Factory celebrated another significant achievement this week. Tesla’s cumulative global production surpassed 7 million EVs, with this milestone vehicle also being a Model Y produced at Fremont.
Tesla’s 7-millionth car rolls off production line at Fremont factory
