The Tesla Semi was first unveiled in 2017 (Getty) Tesla's Semi electric truck has finally begun high-volume production, seven years behind its original 2019 schedule. The vehicle, unveiled in 2017, saw its production targets repeatedly delayed, with a dedicated high-volume factory now aiming for mass production this year. In contrast, Volvo's electric truck, announced a year after the Semi, achieved volume production much faster and is now the global market leader. These delays are consistent with a pattern of overly optimistic timelines set by Elon Musk for other ventures, including the second-generation Tesla Roadster, Full Self-Driving technology, and SpaceX's Mars missions. Despite the significant setbacks, Tesla anticipates producing up to 50,000 Semi trucks annually at its 1.7-million-square-foot facility in Texas. In full