Tesla Plans to Ship 'Made in China Gigafactory' Model 3 to Asia and Europe

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Tesla is expected to send electric vehicles produced at its Gigafactory, a large-scale electric car manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China, to Europe and Asia, Bloomberg reported on the 11th (local time).

Bloomberg cited sources saying that mass production of Tesla Model 3 vehicles made in China for overseas shipment is expected to begin in the fourth quarter. The sources said that since supply in the United States will only be possible by the end of this year or early next year, Tesla plans to deliver the vehicles to customers currently waiting for delivery in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

Bloomberg noted that Tesla is accelerating production amid intensifying competition in the electric vehicle industry, mentioning that BYD is establishing its base in the Chinese market and General Motors (GM) has acquired shares in the U.S. electric hydrogen vehicle company Nikola. However, the day before, a financial analysis firm called Hindenburg Research released a report claiming that Nikola is a fraud.

Tesla's main factory is the Fremont production plant in California, where the Model S, Model X, Model Y, and Model 3 are produced. A large number of auto parts are also manufactured there. Tesla is currently building its first European factory in Berlin, Germany. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, plans to start the first production at the Berlin factory by mid-next year.