Tesla starts Optimus mass production in Fremont, California, as Q3 profit falls 43% year over year

On October 21, Tesla announced the start of mass production of its Optimus humanoid robot at its former electric vehicle plant in Fremont, California, calling these its first mass-production-quality robots; Musk said the target is 20,000 units per week by the end of 2027. Tesla's Q3 revenue was $28.04 billion, roughly flat, while net profit was $787 million, down 43% year over year; the company said profits were mainly consumed by AI projects and Optimus investment. Musk acknowledged that the ramp-up will be slow and bumpy, and that the robot's safety, reliability, and battery life still need work, with a great deal of work remaining on AI capabilities in open scenarios.