According to Isaacson's biography of Musk, Musk relentlessly challenges the existence of every part in Tesla and SpaceX machines. He's willing to go too far, having to sometimes put a part back in.
Everything in the manufacturing process is also challenged to justify its existence.
This is how he managed to reduce the costs by 90%.
Slight aside, he also has driven capability that was challenging to justify existence for, and was later removed re: Dragon 2 propulsive landing via SuperDracos, landing legs, and the ballast sled. I'm sure the Dragonfly programs matured their abort programs, but surely, that was a ton of time and effort wasted.
WalterBright · · focus · HN ↗
Everything in the manufacturing process is also challenged to justify its existence.
This is how he managed to reduce the costs by 90%.
nortlov · · focus · HN ↗
You win some, you lose some.
WalterBright · · focus · HN ↗