Elon Musk says Tesla's first European production plant will be in Berlin
- by Patty Hardy
- in Business
- — Nov 13, 2019
The Shanghai Gigafactory is Tesla's first assembly plant outside of the U.S. and the first wholly-owned foreign auto factory in China.
Musk made the announcement at Germany's Golden Steering Wheel awards last night.
"Everyone knows that German engineering is outstanding, for sure".
A more precise location at the moment is "in the Berlin area", "Located near the new airport" (BER airport).
By building a plant in Germany, Tesla will be able to add the "Made in Germany" accolade.
Tesla will build its first European factory in Berlin, Germany, boss Elon Musk has confirmed.
Mr Musk also cited risks surrounding the UK's exit from the European Union for his decision, according to AutoExpress.
Assuming both the China-based Gigafactory and its Berlin equivalent finish construction over the next couple of years, Tesla's overseas influence could expand considerably.
Musk had said in June a year ago that Germany was the frontrunner for its first factory in Europe.
"We think we now have the chance, in the coming years, to become an important worldwide centre in this future-oriented sector", he said.
Berlin also has earmarked financial support for manufacturing electric auto battery cells.
Fourth time rocket reuse for SpaceX mission but concerns still over satellites
But after its first launch in May , astronomers were already expressing concerns about the satellites being too bright in the sky. Some have warned that this could increase the risk of creating space debris or interfere with astronomical observations.
Met Office warns of heavy rain for Stamford area
The weather experts predict that Ireland could be hit by sleet and show, with wintry falls hitting the higher ground by Wednesday. This warning is in place from midnight until 11.45pm with forecasters warning that up to 60mm of rain could fall in some places.
Fanged miniature 'mouse-deer' rediscovered by scientists in Vietnam
The team first set up three camera traps in early 2018, with all cameras managing to capture images of the animal. Details of the rediscovery were published Monday in the scientific journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Mass production of the auto will start in 2021 and the vehicle will be sold under the Hengchi brand, China Evergrande said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Elon Musk has an ability to make a splash", said John Boyd, principal of an eponymous manufacturing site-selection firm based in Princeton, New Jersey.
While much of Germany's vehicle industry is based in the south, Berlin has become a hub for tech start-ups since the fall of the Wall 30 years ago. "We hope this sets an example", Birgit Dietze IG Metall's regional head said on Wednesday.
Even Germany's auto industry association, VDA, welcomed the arrival of a US competitor.
Is this important for Germany? "We don't shy away from competition, quite the opposite".
Tesla's first "Gigafactory" was constructed in the USA state of Nevada, and its vehicles are built mostly at a factory in Northern California.
While Germany's renowned vehicle industry is mainly based in the south of Europe's biggest economy, the capital has become a hub for start-ups and has attracted many creative and technology firms since the fall of the Berlin Wall three decades ago.
"There's not enough time tonight to tell all the details", Musk said during an on-stage interview with Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess, reported TechCrunch.
"Berlin rocks", Mr Musk said, adding Tesla would build an engineering and design centre in the German capital.
The company has an engineering firm in Pruem, Germany, that specialises in automated manufacturing systems for battery plants.
