Tesla announced this week a reaction injection molding process that embeds color directly into Cybercab body panels during production. The method eliminates the traditional paint shop step in vehicle manufacturing.
Tesla stated that the new process reduces paint cycles from hours to minutes per panel. It also cuts manufacturing and supply chain emissions by 35 percent and removes all volatile organic compounds from the painting stage.
The company noted that pigment is mixed into the polymer before injection into the mold. A clear coat can then be applied at the mold stage or through a faster post-process.
This approach aligns with Tesla's long-standing efforts to simplify production. Elon Musk previously reduced color options in 2018 and highlighted the paint shop as a major source of waste and cost in a 2020 interview.
