Tesla kicked off production in China, marking a major step in Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s global push for electric-vehicle domination and heralding what could be the dawn of real competition in the world’s largest EV market.
On January 7, 2019, Elon Musk visited the Lingang area of Pudong district, East China, in order to breaking ground for Tesla's first automotive plant outside the United States.
Looking forward to breaking ground on the @Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory today!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2019
A construction site of a Tesla factory during a ground-breaking ceremony for the factory in Shanghai. STR/AFP/Getty Images
Elon Musk danced with the music at the end of the groundbreaking ceremony for @Tesla's Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai on Monday. He said in a tweet that Tesla aims to finish initial construction this summer and start production at the end of this year. @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/XissWqawm2
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) January 7, 2019
January 7, 2020, on the anniversary day, Elon Musk visited the Shanghai Gigafactory.
Tesla CEO @elonmusk Plans to Attend a Delivery Ceremony for Made-in-China Tesla Model 3s in Shanghai Gigafactory 3 on Tuesday Jan 7th which is also the 1 year anniversary of the GF3 groundbreaking ceremony.$TSLA #Tesla #China #GF3 #MIC #Model3 pic.twitter.com/EHTOmI2RI2
— Vincent (@vincent13031925) January 6, 2020
Musk arrived at Gigafactory 3 to attend the Tesla MIC Model 3 delivery event in China. Before the ceremony began, he spent time with the leaders of Tesla China and factory workers.
Tesla CEO @elonmusk arrived Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory GF3 China for the China-Made Model 3 Delivery Ceremony today$TSLA #Tesla #China #GF3 pic.twitter.com/1BaSIPzhdC
— Tesmanian.com (@Tesmanian_com) January 7, 2020
Musk handed over the first electric cars manufactured at the company's new plant to customers in China. Gigafactory 3 was raised in record time and is designed to help the American manufacturer achieve greater success in the world's largest automotive market.
Initially, Chinese buyers will receive a mid-range Model 3 car. But Musk has announced the launch of a program for the future Model Y mid-range SUV in Shanghai. Ultimately, the demand for the Model Y will be greater than all other Tesla cars combined, he predicted. The second brand SUV after the larger Model X will also be built with more advanced production technologies, which Tesla will introduce later.
Musk also said the company is planning a development center in China. A new electric car should be designed for the global market. He didn't say what kind of vehicle it was. Musk himself spoke, perhaps, of "something radical."
And now it's time to dance
At Tesla Giga Shanghai NSFW!! pic.twitter.com/1yrPyzJQGZ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2020
About the Author
Eva Fox
Eva Fox joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover breaking news as an automotive journalist. The main topics that she covers are clean energy and electric vehicles. As a journalist, Eva is specialized in Tesla and topics related to the work and development of the company.
