Tesla Prepares to Install an Additional 9,000t Giga Press

In the past months, Italian die casting machine manufacturer, IDRA and people close to the company posted several pictures and videos on their social media pages disclosing the production of a new 9,000t Giga Press. They always showed a red and white machine, a color scheme typically used by Tesla.

During the past week Joe Tegtmeyer noted that Travis County approved a new building permit for Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas. The permit is called “Casting 1 - Cyber DCM 3 Foundation”.

“Casting 1” refers to the die casting section at Tesla’s HQ in Austin. “Cyber DCM” probably refers to the 9,000t machines because the 6,000t ones are just named DCM 1, 2, etc...

Putting all the evidence together it seems pretty obvious that Tesla is about to receive its third 9,000t machine.

FAW Group Began Mass Production of Underbody Gigacastings

FAW Forging & Casting division shipped the first 12 samples of Rear UnderBody (RUB) Gigacastings to the Hongqi brand.

Hongqi is an auto brand controlled by the Chinese FAW Group and will use the RUB Gigacastings for the upcoming Hongqi E001. (previously believed to be used on the E-HS9). The Hongqi E001 RUB is the group's first mass produced Gigacasting.

Previously they produced a magnesium alloy RUB Gigacasting weighing only 39kg but it won't be used in mass production.

FAW claims to have achieved a weight reduction of 15% and reduced the number of parts by 70. FAW also independently developed their own high strength aluminum alloy which doesn't require heat treatment.

FAW utilized a 10,000t Giga Press produced by the Chinese supplier Yizumi, although both companies previously reported it was a LEAP 9000 machine (9,177t) during the delivery ceremony.

Nio Officially Presents The New ET9

Nio is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the launch of the ET9, an electric flagship that integrates the brand's most advanced technologies. Unveiled last year as a prototype, it is now ready to enter production.

The ET9 integrates more than 10 proprietary technologies developed by Nio over the past decade, including RUB Gigacasting.

The Nio ET9 will utilize RUB integrated aluminum alloy castings similar to the ES8. Imo Chinese supplier, Millison Technology will supply the castings utilizing an 8,800t Giga Press.

Last year Nio talked about using magnesium alloy components in the BIW of the ET9 but this time they were no longer mentioned. I’ll keep you updated on my social media pages.

Xiaomi Doubles Down on Gigacastings

Recently, Xiaomi announced through its official Weibo that its new model, the SUV model YU7 is expected to be officially launched in June or July next year. This will be the second model of Xiaomi Motors after its first model, the SU7.

According to people familiar with the matter in the Chinese meda, the second phase of Xiaomi Auto's large die-casting project will introduce one or more additional 9,100t Giga Presses. Currently, Xiaomi Auto's super factory in Beijing already has two 9,100t ultra-large die-casting islands, which have been put into mass production for the RUB castings of the SU7.

Since the release of Xiaomi's first model SU7 in March this year, more than 100,000 units have been delivered.

Xiaomi founder Lei Jun said on Weibo last month that the delivery volume of Xiaomi SU7 has exceeded 100,000 units, completing the full-year sales target ahead of schedule. Xiaomi Auto is now sprinting towards a new goal: to deliver 130,000 vehicles throughout the year.

Gigacasting Market Overview

Tesla's first 6,000t Giga Press was installed in Fremont 4 years ago.

4 years later, here's what the market looks like, most Giga Presses ordered by Chinese companies to make underbody Gigacastings for EVs.