Tesla Gigafactory Opening in Austin: Cyber BBQ Party, Texas-Style

An interesting report by Maria Merano in teslarati states that "...Tesla Giga Texas production seems set to start early next year, making 2022 another exciting year for the company. Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently confirmed that there will be a grand opening party for the Model Y and Cybertruck production facility early next year ."

The report goes on to add that "… as the buildout of Giga Texas comes to a close, it is getting harder to see inside the massive Gigafactory and spot any interesting updates about the site. Elon Musk acknowledged the situation and announced that Tesla would hold a Giga Texas grand opening party with factory tours early next year."

It’s getting harder and harder to see inside the factory with all of these walls going up, @peterdog15 wants to know if somebody can please do something about this?! - images from December 19, 2021 pic.twitter.com/2GNcIMGuyA— Gail Alfar (Austin) (@GailAlfarATX) December 19, 2021

As a side note, and as a former Houstonian, I can basically tell that "Texas Barbecue" refers to methods of preparation for barbecue unique to Texan cuisine. Beef brisket, pork ribs, and sausage are among the most commonly known dishes. The term can also include side dishes that are traditionally served alongside the smoked meats. Texas barbecue traditions differ geographically and culturally: East Texas, Central Texas, South Texas, and West Texas each have their own unique barbecue styles. Of these various styles, the Central and East Texas varieties are considered to be the most well-known. The different kinds of Texas barbecue can be distinguished as follows:

East Texas style—the meat is slowly cooked to the point that it is "falling off the bone." It is typically cooked over hickory wood and marinated in a sweet, tomato-based sauce.
Central Texas style—the meat is typically rubbed with only salt and black pepper (though some restaurants have been known to use other spices), then cooked over indirect heat from pecan, oak, or mesquite wood. Sauce is typically considered unnecessary, but it may be served on the side to complement the meat.
West Texas style—the meat is cooked over direct heat from mesquite wood in a method very similar to grilling.
South Texas style—the meat is marinated in thick, molasses-like sauces that keep the meat moist after cooking.
Another style of barbecue, barbacoa, is characteristic of South Texas and the Rio Grande valley near the Mexico - United States border.

Barbacoa is a traditional Mexican form of barbecue that typically uses goat, lamb, or sheep meat, although beef is also sometimes used. In its most authentic form, barbacoa is prepared in a hole dug in the ground and covered in maguey (Agave americana) leaves.

Tesla will hold a Giga Texas grand opening party with factory tours for the community in early 2022— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 19, 2021

Going back to the report on teslarati and Giga Texas upcoming opening, Merano says that "… it would be fun if Tesla held a BBQ party serving all the possible barbecue styles found in Texas. In some ways, Tesla’s grand openings for its Gigafactories have become a way for the company to “meet neighbors.” Tesla Gigafactory festivities are a way for people in the local community to familiarize themselves with the EV maker and celebrate another milestone with the company. And what better way to celebrate with the local community in Austin than with a good, old-fashioned Texas BBQ."

I could not agree more, mainly considering that Texas is a key "big oil" state, and that getting as many people familiar with EVs as possible will be an important issue, precisely because of the oil production background in that state. Apart from the (well deserved) celebrations and barbecue styles that might be available at the Giga Factory grand opening party, one of the key issues during the factory tour – included in the party package, according to Elon Musk - will be the opportunity to see the Cybertruck and Model Y production lines and stamping machines "in situ", as well as the robotic wonders that make up Tesla regular production practices. I will certainly volunteer to be there if there is a chance ;-)

All images courtesy of Tesla Inc.

Nico Caballero is the VP of Finance of Cogency Power, specializing in solar energy. He also holds a Diploma in Electric Cars from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and enjoys doing research about Tesla and EV batteries. He can be reached at @NicoTorqueNews on Twitter. Nico covers Tesla and electric vehicle latest happenings at Torque News.