Thread by @ConnectingODots

BREAKING NEWS! OTHER OEMs TO USE GIGACASTINGS!

A trustworthy source working for a well-known OEM shared some interesting info with me regarding their employer's future plans, including giga (or mega) castings:
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OEM acknowledges that having both ICE and EVs is a DISadvantage compared to pure-EV plays such as Tesla. Converting old factories and unloading ICE legacy slows the transition and adds cost

2. Tesla is not even considered as competition as they are already so far ahead, and unencumbered by ICE legacy also free to run

3. Chip shortage is real. Focusing on long-term goals, when faced with the option to choose they will prioritize their BEV lines over their ICE and Hybrid lines.
This alone should tell you it's a non-American OEM Grinning face

4. Wishing to be at the forefront of OEMs and to compete with Tesla in production efficciency, THEY HAVE OPENED ORDERS for huge (mega or more probably giga) casting machines. Within around 5 years, they plan to start diecasting cars instead of the current stamping and welding

5. My source is trustworthy, but wishes to remain anonymous - including my not sharing their employer. All I can say is it's a well known non-American OEM - your guess whether European, Chinese or Combination.

6. Once Tesla laid its gigacasting plans out in the open, I assumed this would happen. Beyond my source's employer, I am certain a few others are doing the same. There have been several reports of IDRA and its Chinese sibling receiving orders for up to 9-tonne Gigapresses.

7. A HUGE (but secret) SHOUTOUT to this source for sharing this data.

👆Several Gigacastings were sold recently by IDRA and its Chinese sibling. We can only attribute some of them to Tesla
@EvaFoxU @TeslaBest @SawyerMerritt @jpr007 @WholeMarsBlog @28delayslater