Elon Musk is nothing if not dedicated, and busy. Not only is he the CEO of two giant companies, but each company – SpaceX and Tesla – is quite literally focused on changing the world. With respect to Tesla, things at the California-based company have never been busier. The Model S just got a refresh, production on the Model X is ramping up, Model 3 reservations are in the 400,000 range, and construction is ongoing on the company’s Nevada Gigafactory.
With so much on his plate, Musk revealed during Tesla’s earnings conference call yesterday that his desk is currently positioned at the end of the Model X production line at Tesla’s Fremont, California factory. And because he’s there so frequently, often overnight, Musk also added that he also keeps a sleeping bag handy so that he can rest comfortably when he doesn’t have time to go home and then back in the morning.
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“My desk is at the end of the production line,” Musk said during the call. “I have a sleeping bag in a conference room next to the production line that I use quite frequently.”
As to why Musk specifically has his desk at the end of the Model X production line, the Tesla CEO said that he goes wherever there are critical issues to be solved. And with respect to the Model X, there have been some concerns about quality control issues on some early production models, not to mention a safety-oriented recall Tesla issued for the Model X a few weeks ago.
“My desk has frequently been in the factory,” Musk explained. “I move my desk around to wherever the most important place is in the company at that time. I suspect probably by the end of this quarter most of my time will not be spent on the factory floor.”
While Musk’s current sleeping arrangement admittedly sounds a bit drastic, desperate times call for desperate measures. And though Tesla has been around for a few years, the future of the entire company is hinged on the success of the Model 3. Indeed, the very existence of the Roadster, the Model S and the Model X has been to hasten the release of a mass market EV – the Model 3. The good news is that demand for the Model 3 is sky-high, with the reservation tally now standing at more than 400,000. The bad news is that Tesla has a history of shipping cars late and there are already questions looming as to whether or not Tesla will be able to meet Model 3 demand in a timely manner.
Notably, Musk also added yesterday that Tesla missed its first production deadline for the Model 3 due to frustrating supply issues. On a more positive note, Musk said that manufacturing the Model 3 will be much easier than the Model S and the Model X, perhaps indicating that the ramp up in production will be much faster once supply issues are resolved.
Production wise, Musk also added that initial Model 3 production is slated to fall in the 100,000 to 200,000 range in 2017 and that the company is planning to produce 500,000 cars in 2018.
