Tesla Tweets New Model X Build Video

Getting a look inside the Tesla factory in Fremont, California is a rare occurrence. It’s not that it never happens, but Tesla strictly controls what the public sees of its internal operations. Musk and Tesla are like Bill Belichik and the New England Patriots. They tell you only what they want you to hear and nothing more.

Yesterday, Tesla tweeted a short video from inside the factory showing a Model X being put together on the assembly line. Once you get over the awesomeness of so many robots working in a carefully choreographed ballet, you will notice — just briefly — how the central spine of the roof gets installed.

That spine is critical to the Model X. It is the component that the iconic falcon wing doors attach to. It has to be strong enough to support the weight of the doors but narrow enough to fit between them. Early prototypes suffered multiple failures. Eventually, Tesla had to substitute a structure made from magnesium rather than aluminum to get the strength it needed. In the video, you get a glimpse of that magnesium component being installed in the chassis of a Model X on the assembly line.

The falcon wing doors are the signature design element of the Model X. After the car was finally introduced, Elon Musk admitted that hubris may have played a part in the decision to use them. He is known to have a strong distaste for the sliding doors typically used in minivans. He is also known as a man who refuses to take no for answer. Elon wanted falcon wing doors and falcon wing doors is what he got.

The company worked with Hoerbiger, an automotive supplier in North Carolina for more than a year trying to get the doors to operate properly. Hoerbiger wanted to use a hydraulic system, but its prototypes kept overheating and leaking hydraulic fluid. Eventually, Tesla abrogated its contract with Hoerbiger and designed an operating system using electric motors in house. The two companies arenow involved in litigation in federal court.