A new VP of Production at a time when Tesla’s projected production numbers are through the moon.
With orders for its recently revealed Model 3 sedan exceeding 500,000 units, Tesla is under a mountain of pressure to deliver the world’s first (arguably) desirable but relatively affordable fully electric vehicle.
Tesla expects to significantly ramp up production at its Hawthorne, California manufacturing plant as well as its new Gigafactory in Nevada to meet the overwhelming demand with deliveries due to begin at the tail end of 2017.
Peter Hochholdinger will be joining the EV maker as their VP of vehicle production, ending his long time tenure at Audi where he was heavily involved in the production of the A4, A5 and Q5, among others). Interestingly, however, Tesla discloses that Mr Hochholdinger will also be overseeing manufacturing operations for the current Model X SUV and Model S sedan.
The timing of his start at Tesla is certainly an opportune one, with the company poised for some rather meteoric growth. Although, whether its plans to successfully deliver the Model 3 in what is quite a tight schedule comes to fruition ultimately falls into Hochholdinger’s plate.
Tesla certainly has its fair share of hiccups pertaining its manufacturing and supply chain. For example, Tesla most recent vehicle, the Model X of 2015, has been fraught with delays after its initial unveil and booking period and several recalls in its short life.
