This past week, we drove from our home in Newport Beach, CA, to Napa Valley. Going up I5, the number of big auto carriers full of new Tesla’s was absolutely ASTOUNDING! After a couple of hours, I started timing them and figured that a full truck of about 8 cars went by, going south, at the rate of approx. one truck every FIVE MINUTES! If this is any indication of Tesla’s output, I’d say they are doing VERY well.

 

The Tesla 3 is the top selling luxury car in America if you consider it luxury. The model Y will probably blow away sales of GLC, X3, and Q5's once it ramp up in production. Autopilot/safety software has no competitors in its league but the cabin really lacks in luxury, especially for those who sit in the rear.

I'm hoping for lots of competition in the electrified segment. Tesla needs competitors.

 

Google says that Tesla is producing 95,xxx cars per quarter, or 32,xxx per month, or about1,050 per day.

8 vehicles every 5 minute is 1.3 vehicles per minute; there are 1440 minutes per day, so your figure is off by about a factor of 2×.
Perhaps they load the cars at night and only drive them during the day.

 

1050 units per day is roughly 44 units per hour, with one assembly line running 24 hours per day. Not many factories in any industry truly run 24/7 production on a sustained basis.

How many assembly lines, for all models, does Tesla have?

60 units (or "jobs") per hour is a general industry benchmark for vehicle assembly. Some factories/models are faster than 60 jph, some slower.

Visual observation of a number of car transporters on a highway on one day has nothing to do with factory output.

 

At least 3.

 

Thanks @Mitch Alsup

With 3 assembly lines, Tesla is producing, on average 15 units per hour, on a 24/7 operating schedule. Because they are not likely operating 24/7 on all lines, their average line rate for all models is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 jobs per hour, plus or minus. This is half the auto industry line rate norm, or slower than half the norm. Not surprising because Tesla is not, yet, one of the big boys.

 

In the US, several markets are starting to run out of inventory vehicles according to Tesla’s own website. Some Tesla stores have even already sold their display, loaner, and test drive vehicles. For example, Tesla’s Tampa store ran out of vehicles so they were moving inventory in Florida for the end of the quarter:


this is the full story for these shipments:
https://electrek.co/2019/12/22/tesla...-push-intense/

 

I’ve often said that I much prefer driving a vehicle produced by a 100+ year old company, with a sterling reputation for engineering, safety and build quality, compared to one built by a tech start up. I have no intentions of buying a Tesla now or in the future, but if I did, I certainly would not want one built during this panic to pump out as many units as possible. QC can’t help but suffer in such an atmosphere. In addition, I would imagine that their service facilities are becoming overwhelmed with so many new deliveries, not to mention charging stations. Don’t get me wrong, I admire the Tesla company and feel that Musk is a bonafide genius, but his products have a long way to go, before they will entice buyers such as myself. In the mean time, watching the gyrations of the company makes for wonderful entertainment.

 

I don't think QC is an issue and it also not the reason that holds me from buying a Tesla nowadays. I think QC is good there, as normally these companies have the right QC in place even when they push their production output. However, the only reason that I wouldn't buy a Tesla is that the interior of these cars is the worst. I don't car about the central giant screen, but the seats are too thin and don't have any of the S-class or even E-class features. From outside it looks okay but it lacks the luxurious look (the only thing is probably their logo that attracts others). Until they start adding features to the interior including massage seats, dynamic seats, enough cushioning, nicer dashboard, and nicer rear seat packages then I'd never get one. Finally, I honestly don't think that driving a smooth silent car is fun! I live to feel the V8 engine and FEEL it!. I also like to feel the transmission smooth shifting!