Final Production Day, Cortex 2 Chiller, Melt Center Recycling. 19 Dec 2025 Giga Texas Update(7:45AM)

Gigafactory Texas! This is where Model Y’s, and Cyber Truck production happens and in 2025, the Next Generation Car(s), Cybercab & the Optimus Robot!

Great day to fly especially since this was the last production day of the year as has become customary over the past few years. I did notice a lot of equipment arriving at loading platforms all along the east side of the factory in preparation of more production line assembly, maintenance and upgrades over the next few weeks of down tome for production. Most of this is for the Cybercab line, but there are other upgrades and maintenance actions underway in other areas of the factory too.

Timestamps:
Drone flight overview with discussion & illustration: 0:06 to 3:23
Drone flight footage & infographics: 3:44 to 35:27

In the video introduction, I discuss the las day of production for 2025 (today) and when production is currently expected to begin in January 2026.

I also talk about a difference I noted today as the Model Y’s were exiting the factory, specifically human drivers out of the factory and down the ramp, then autonomously driven to the EOL facility about 1.3 miles away. Normally these exit the factory autonomously, but because it is the end of production and interior upgrades, maintenance and other work was getting started, this may be why this process changed today.

I also talk about recent images and video clips of Cybercabs driving around city streets in Austin and in northern California and how this may revive, yet again the topic of steering wheels in Cybercabs as one of these definitely did have one and all had side mirrors.

Both also did have manufacturer license plates on them. I expect to start seeing more of this happening as we get into the new year and production of initial release candidates and more testing begins.

In the drone flight, I take a wide-ranging flight path, from the far east clearing, to the far southwest and then the far north, where we see deliveries of more production line equipment and construction sites making progress with grading, clearing and initial preparation work.

I also noted the melt center was very busy taking delivery of more scrap alloy wheels, scrap aluminum materials and some castings that included Cybercabs and Cybertrucks. These appear to be either damaged or test units that are now going to be melted down.

At Cortex 2, more progress with rebar and concrete at the chiller plant as it begins to get closed in on all four sides with walls. On the west side, installation of more screw-type piers is underway along with more electrical equipment on the raided platforms with the transformers and also more trenching and conduit installation.

More to see today as we move into the weekend and the holidays.

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@Jeff Roberts

Video, photos, illustrations, and commentary on this video is by me, Joe Tegtmeyer unless otherwise annotated.

Music in this video is obtained from the YouTube free and unrestricted and royalty-free use library. Ending song is Mr. Sunny Face - Wayne Jones

Drones used are DJI Mini 2, Mavic Air 2 & Air 3.

Drone flight over Giga Texas is with permission of Tesla and CEO Elon Musk