BEIJING (Reuters) – Tesla is reportedly developing an upgraded version of its “gigacasting” technology that will allow the company to die cast nearly all underbody parts of its vehicles in one piece, according to sources close to the automaker.
The Shanghai Securities News, a state-owned Chinese newspaper, gathered this information during a recent visit to Tesla’s Shanghai factory. However, the report did not provide specific details regarding the timing or location of the upgrade.
Earlier this month, Reuters disclosed that Tesla was nearing a breakthrough in die casting technology, enabling the production of the entire underbody of an electric vehicle in a single cast.
Tesla has been a pioneer in implementing “gigacasting” processes, which utilize massive presses with clamping pressures of 6,000 to 9,000 tons to mold the front and rear structures of its Model Y. This technique has significantly reduced production costs.
Since 2020, Tesla’s largest factory located in Shanghai has been utilizing die casting for the rear of the Model Y, resulting in a 40% reduction in related costs.
Following Tesla’s lead, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers such as Xpeng and Geely’s Zeekr have also adopted “gigapressing” technology to make lighter and more cost-effective cars, as reported by the Shanghai Securities News.
The development of this upgraded “gigacasting” technology could further enhance Tesla’s manufacturing capabilities and cement its position as a leader in the electric vehicle industry.
Reporting by Zhang Yan, Albee Zhang and Bernard Orr; Editing by Edwina Gibbs
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
