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Released November 25, 2019 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--After years of speculation, Tesla's Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has revealed that the company's first European electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing "gigafactory" will be located in Berlin, Germany.
Announcing his decision at a motoring awards ceremony hosted by Auto Bild magazine in Germany, Musk surprised attendees with: "We've decided to put the Tesla gigafactory Europe in the Berlin area. I come to Germany a lot...Berlin rocks!"
Industrial Info is tracking the company's plan to spend up to 2 billion euro ($2.2 billion) for the grassroot Gruenheide Electric Cars and Lithium-Ion Batteries Manufacturing "Gigafactory 4" Plant. The manufacturing plant, which will have a footprint of approximately 2.15 million square feet, will produce lithium-ion batteries, powertrains and cars, starting with the Model Y SUV and the mid-size car, Model 3. It will be located near Berlin's forthcoming airport on the outskirts of the city. Tesla will employ 3,000 people to start, with the goal of increasing the workforce to 7,000.
Speaking to the magazine after the event, Musk explained why he had chosen Germany over the U.K. "Brexit [uncertainty] made it too risky to put a Gigafactory in the U.K.," Musk said. He added: "Some of the best cars in the world are made in Germany, everyone knows that German engineering is outstanding. That's part of the reason why we're locating our Gigafactory Europe in Germany. We are also going to create an engineering and design centre in Berlin."
Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier welcomed the news: "Tesla's decision to establish a major battery and car factory here in Germany is a wonderful success for Germany as a business location. In the past few months, there was intense competition between various European countries. The fact that Germany got the nod is an important and very positive signal. It is a milestone in terms of electro-mobility and battery-cell production. This is complete proof that the German government's strategy of investing in these future-oriented sectors and prioritizing them is a correct one. We expect to become a major intentional centre in these areas in years to come."
The plant will be Tesla's fourth gigafactory. The first is located in Reno, Nevada, with another due to come online in Buffalo, New York, while the third in Shanghai, China, is close to being finished.
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is one of the state agencies that helped convince Tesla to come to the country. "We've been talking to Tesla for around three years," said GTAI Chief Executive Robert Hermann. "Tesla's decision reflects how attractive Germany is as a place of investment and technology, and its central location will make it possible for the company to expand quickly into further European Union markets."
Earlier this month, Industrial Info reported that Tesla was close to confirming its European location. At that time, Musk said that construction would be underway in 12 to 18 months, with full commissioning by 2021. For additional information, see November 5, 2019, article - Tesla Close to Choosing European Gigafactory Location.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
Announcing his decision at a motoring awards ceremony hosted by Auto Bild magazine in Germany, Musk surprised attendees with: "We've decided to put the Tesla gigafactory Europe in the Berlin area. I come to Germany a lot...Berlin rocks!"
Industrial Info is tracking the company's plan to spend up to 2 billion euro ($2.2 billion) for the grassroot Gruenheide Electric Cars and Lithium-Ion Batteries Manufacturing "Gigafactory 4" Plant. The manufacturing plant, which will have a footprint of approximately 2.15 million square feet, will produce lithium-ion batteries, powertrains and cars, starting with the Model Y SUV and the mid-size car, Model 3. It will be located near Berlin's forthcoming airport on the outskirts of the city. Tesla will employ 3,000 people to start, with the goal of increasing the workforce to 7,000.
Speaking to the magazine after the event, Musk explained why he had chosen Germany over the U.K. "Brexit [uncertainty] made it too risky to put a Gigafactory in the U.K.," Musk said. He added: "Some of the best cars in the world are made in Germany, everyone knows that German engineering is outstanding. That's part of the reason why we're locating our Gigafactory Europe in Germany. We are also going to create an engineering and design centre in Berlin."
Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier welcomed the news: "Tesla's decision to establish a major battery and car factory here in Germany is a wonderful success for Germany as a business location. In the past few months, there was intense competition between various European countries. The fact that Germany got the nod is an important and very positive signal. It is a milestone in terms of electro-mobility and battery-cell production. This is complete proof that the German government's strategy of investing in these future-oriented sectors and prioritizing them is a correct one. We expect to become a major intentional centre in these areas in years to come."
The plant will be Tesla's fourth gigafactory. The first is located in Reno, Nevada, with another due to come online in Buffalo, New York, while the third in Shanghai, China, is close to being finished.
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is one of the state agencies that helped convince Tesla to come to the country. "We've been talking to Tesla for around three years," said GTAI Chief Executive Robert Hermann. "Tesla's decision reflects how attractive Germany is as a place of investment and technology, and its central location will make it possible for the company to expand quickly into further European Union markets."
Earlier this month, Industrial Info reported that Tesla was close to confirming its European location. At that time, Musk said that construction would be underway in 12 to 18 months, with full commissioning by 2021. For additional information, see November 5, 2019, article - Tesla Close to Choosing European Gigafactory Location.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
