New aerial footage from Tesla‘s Fremont Factory has fans buzzing — and raising questions about what the company has planned next.
Drone operator Met God in Wilderness, who has tracked the site’s activity for years, spotted several surprising details in an Aug. 14 flyover, as reported by Teslarati. The footage showed a covered car making laps on the test track, vehicles exiting without visible drivers, and unusual castings that don’t match the current Model Y design.
$TSLA
New looking cast found in Tesla Fremont Factory.
Have you seen this before?
Any comments appreciated. pic.twitter.com/kkwJ3mHdkU
— Tsla Chan (@Tslachan) August 20, 2025
For Tesla buyers, this kind of change could go both ways. On one hand, bigger castings help simplify production and might bring prices down. On the other hand, any shift in design can slow things temporarily, leaving customers waiting longer for their cars or parts.
Tesla’s manufacturing updates often ripple beyond the auto industry. More efficient casting could mean less waste on the factory floor — but it also raises questions about resource sourcing, since the molds require enormous amounts of specialized aluminum.
The company has relied heavily on innovations like these before, such as the Giga Press machines that helped accelerate Model Y production. But the new footage comes as Tesla faces increased competition from other EV makers, while its own U.S. sales slipped in early 2025, according to Reuters. For those considering an EV purchase, timing could matter more than ever — and there are many resources available to help cut through the uncertainty.
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X users reacted quickly to the new footage.
“Wondering if this signals a new efficiency in Tesla’s production process,” one wrote. Another described it as an “interesting innovation in Tesla’s casting process.” A third speculated it “looks like the rear subassembly for Cyber cab build like Cybertruck.”
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