Tesla s Model 3 bet rides on risky assembly line strategy

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk took many risks with the technology in his company's cars on the way to surpassing Ford Motor Co's market value. Now Musk is pushing boundaries in the factory that makes them. Most automakers test a new model's production line by building vehicles with relatively cheap, prototype tools designed to be scrapped once they deliver doors that fit, body panels with the right shape and dashboards that don't have gaps or seams. Tesla shut down production at its California assembly plant for a week this month to prepare for production of its high-volume Model 3 sedan. Elon Musk has boasted the firm's production facility for its much anticipated Model 3 will look like an'alien dreadnought'.