From Joe Tegtmeyer.
Gigafactory Texas! This is where Model Y’s, and Cybertruck production happens and in 2026, the Next Generation Car(s), Cybercab & the Optimus Robot!
Foggy morning caused a 2-hour delay in my flight time today, but we do see some significant progress with several construction projects around the site today!
Timestamps:
Drone flight overview with discussion & illustration: 0:06 to 4:17
Drone flight footage & infographics: 4:39 to 30:57
Following about 2 weeks of production pause for the holidays, we are starting to see some indications things are beginning to return to normal operations. Today, some employees were returning to work, but it won’t be until tomorrow when the full production one staff will be back and starting the process to bring the production lines up to speed and begin ramping up overall production.
From what I understand, I expect some production to start being visible in the outbound lot tomorrow, but it will likely to be later in the week before we see overall production numbers returning to normal. Speaking of which, Giga Texas will be back to the familiar production schedule of Mondays to Thursdays, using 12-hour shifts to start the new year. This is for the production line personnel, while other parts of the factory will have longer workdays and hours through the week.
A few developments today include the Crash Testing facility getting new construction on the south end, with framing, perimeter trenching and moisture barrier installation ahead of rebar. This might be a new building or a location for previously crash tested vehicles waiting to be picked up for recycling.
At Cortex 2, a lot of activity today on all sides of the facility. On the west side, we see where the potential 3rd Megapack installation may be near the long bank of transformers. I base this on two pieces of data. First, a new permit at the end of December suggests Cortex 2 will get a new Battery Electric Storage System (BESS) and second, the existing Megapack 2 has a new sign that reads GFTX Data Center BESS, presumably for Cortex 1 in the south end. We also see a large grouping of very low Screw Piers in this area, reminiscent of what Megapack 2 looked like before the Megapacks were installed.
Cortex 2 is also seeing a lot of work on the east side, particularly with the chiller plant parts 1 & 2 making progress.
Finally, on the south end of the new electrical switchyard, we see steel deliveries being made. These parts are painted yellow and some black and are of large size. I do not know where these are destined, but hopefully on my next flight I’ll be able to identify the location they are being installed in or perhaps determine if this is for a new structure.
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Be sure to check out additional Texas Gigafactory footage on these channels:
@Jeff Roberts
Video, photos, illustrations, and commentary on this video is by me, Joe Tegtmeyer unless otherwise annotated.
Music in this video is obtained from the YouTube free and unrestricted and royalty-free use library. Ending song is Mr. Sunny Face – Wayne Jones
Drones used are DJI Mini 2, Mavic Air 2 & Air 3.
Drone flight over Giga Texas is with permission of Tesla and CEO Elon Musk
