2016 Tesla Gigafactory Grand Opening – “The Machine That Builds the Machine”

The Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada had its grand opening on July 29, 2016. The innovation of “The Machine that builds the machine.” Located east of Reno, this facility plays a crucial role in Tesla’s battery production, particularly for its electric vehicles and energy storage products. The factory was designed to significantly scale up lithium-ion battery production while reducing costs through vertical integration and economies of scale.

Since its opening, the Gigafactory has expanded beyond its original scope, producing battery packs, drive units, and power electronics for Tesla’s vehicles, as well as energy storage products like the Powerwall and Powerpack. Tesla has continued to invest in the facility, increasing its workforce and expanding production capacity.

Elon Musk at the Tesla Gigafactory Grand Opening 2016.

“The Machine That Builds the Machine”

One of the most memorable lines from Elon Musk’s address was his description of the Gigafactory itself as “the machine that builds the machine.” By this, Musk meant that the facility wasn’t merely a production plant—it was a highly integrated, automated system designed to manufacture the components that ultimately go into Tesla’s cars. This concept underscored the importance of scaling production in order to drive down costs. Musk explained that by consolidating battery cell production, pack assembly, and even aspects of the drivetrain under one roof, Tesla could reduce battery costs by roughly 30%. Lower battery prices, he argued, are critical to making electric vehicles affordable to a broader audience.

A Vision for a Sustainable Energy Future

Musk’s talk wasn’t just about cost-cutting—it was about the future of energy on a global scale. He projected that transitioning the world to sustainable energy wouldn’t be possible with a single factory. Instead, he envisioned a future where nearly 100 Gigafactories would operate worldwide, each contributing to a decentralized, energy-efficient manufacturing network. This ambitious outlook was meant to inspire confidence not only in Tesla’s ability to innovate but also in the potential for large-scale industrial change to have a profound environmental impact.

Manufacturing as a Catalyst for Innovation

Throughout the evening, Musk stressed that the Gigafactory represented a new era in manufacturing. He detailed how the blend of advanced robotics, streamlined production processes, and sheer scale would allow Tesla to learn quickly and continuously refine its operations. By viewing the factory as a “machine” in its own right—one that produces the tools to build Tesla’s products—he emphasized that innovation isn’t limited to the products on the showroom floor but is embedded in the production process itself.

A Call to Action for Industry and Community

Musk also touched on the broader implications of the Gigafactory for local communities and the global economy. He highlighted the potential for job creation, the boost to the local economy in Nevada, and how this model of production could serve as a catalyst for similar initiatives around the world. His message was clear: this factory is not an end in itself but a critical step toward a larger mission of accelerating the world’s shift to sustainable energy.

In summary, Elon Musk’s remarks that night were a mix of technical explanation and visionary ambition. He communicated that the Gigafactory is not merely a physical space but a transformative concept—one that leverages cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to make sustainable energy a practical reality for millions. His words resonated with the idea that with enough scale and innovation, the world’s approach to energy and transportation could be fundamentally reimagined.

Full Factory Tour – Gigafactory Opening, Nevada 2016.

Collection of Elon Musk Interviews and Resources.

Elon Musk Quotes:

“I really do encourage other manufacturers to bring electric cars to market. It’s a good thing, and they need to bring it to market and keep iterating and improving and make better and better electric cars, and that’s what going to result in humanity achieving a sustainable transport future. I wish it was growing faster than it is.” ~Elon Musk
“The revolutionary breakthrough will come with rockets that are fully and rapidly reusable. We will never conquer Mars unless we do that. It’ll be too expensive. The American colonies would never have been pioneered if the ships that crossed the ocean hadn’t been reusable.” ~Elon Musk
“Obviously Tesla is about helping solve the consumption of energy in a sustainable manner, but you need the production of energy in a sustainable manner.” ~Elon Musk.
“The idea of lying on a beach as my main thing just sounds like the worst. It sounds horrible to me. I would go bonkers. I would have to be on serious drugs. I’d be super-duper bored. I like high intensity.” ~Elon Musk
“My proceeds from PayPal were $180M. I put $100M in SpaceX, $70M in Tesla, and $10M in SolarCity. I had to borrow money for rent.” ~Elon Musk