Tesla eyes supply partners for Optimus mass production

teslarati.com Sep 21, 2026

Tesla eyes supply partners for Optimus mass production

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 21, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Tesla’s robotics division visited Ningbo, China, on Sept. 16‑17 to audit component makers for its Optimus humanoid robot. The inspections elevated three existing automotive suppliers—Tuopu Group, Ningbo Joyson Electronic and Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls—from provisional to certified mass‑production status. Each will provide actuators and chassis parts, sensors, and thermal‑management systems, respectively, and received fresh orders estimated at an initial batch of about 5,000 units. Tesla aims to produce roughly 1,000 Optimus units weekly by late September, scaling to 2,000‑2,500 by year‑end, supporting its plan to repurpose the Fremont plant for a million‑unit annual line. A larger facility at Gigafactory Texas, slated for up to 10 million units annually, is under construction, with commercial sales targeted for late 2027. Tesla expects Texas site to start runs 2025.

💡 Why It Matters

· By locking in Chinese suppliers, Tesla shortens the path to high‑volume robot output, turning Optimus from a prototype into a factory‑floor workhorse.

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