Tesla Suspends 'Brake and Roll' Test For Model 3, Labels It Unnecessary

Tesla has suspended a braking test for its Model 3 sedan and labeled it a redundant part of the production process.

The automaker reached its self-imposed production milestone of building 5,000 Model 3 vehicles in seven days last week. As part of the production ‘burst’ that helped the automaker achieve the goal, Tesla allegedly ordered engineers to stop conducting ‘brake and roll’ tests on the Model 3 as vehicles left the production line. The test, which entails putting a vehicle on a rolling road and increasing the motor speed before slowing back down, helps to ensure the wheels are aligned and that the brakes are working properly, among more. It allegedly suspended the test early in the morning on June 26th.

According to CNBC, Tesla referred to the brake and roll test as redundant in an official statement. It also said that it tests every vehicle that leaves its Fremont production facility on its test track “to verify braking, torque, squeal and rattle.” Taking into consideration Tesla’s claim that the test is redundant, it seems possible the automaker will do away with it for good. It has not yet indicated if it plans to reinstate the test once it has fully optimized the Model 3 production line, though.

A recent New York Times report delved into the various techniques Tesla has implemented in order to reach its goal of building 5,000 Model 3s a week. Employees screw in seat bolts where robots once did, for example, while about 300 fewer spot welds are being used in the vehicle’s underbody. The automaker also erected a production ‘tent’ last month, which houses a support line for Model 3 production. Roughly 20 percent of the 5,000 Model 3s Tesla built last week came from the relief line.

About a year ago, I asked Doug to manage both engineering & production. He agreed that Tesla needed eng & prod better aligned, so we don’t design cars that are crazy hard to build. Right now, tho, better to divide & conquer, so I’m back to sleeping at factory. Car biz is hell …

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 2, 2018

News also surfaced last week that the automaker’s head of vehicle engineering, Doug Field, left the company. Field took a leave of absence from Tesla in May, but it was believed he would eventually return. In a tweet, Musk explained that he hired Field last year to help consolidate Tesla’s engineering and production. With his departure, Musk said he’ll be back managing both sides of the business and sleeping on the floor of the Fremont factory until it can work out all of the remaining kinks.

In addition to building 5,000 Model 3s in a seven day period, Tesla also said it had built 28,578 in the second quarter.

[Source: CNBC, Business Insider]

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