Toyota to test Tesla-style EV gigacasting machine at Japan plant

NAGOYA, Japan -- Toyota Motor will install a giant gigacasting machine at a Japanese plant as soon as this year, Nikkei has learned, looking to lower electric vehicle production costs by adopting a technique perfected by Tesla.

Located at a production center in Aichi prefecture, the machine will be one of the largest pieces of casting machinery in Japan. It will be capable of 9,000 tonnes of clamping pressure. Gigacasting machines typically apply at least 6,000 tonnes of force.