Summary
- Tesla’s head of manufacturing in Germany addressed questions about Elon Musk’s political alignment with Donald Trump and other topics
- The company remains focused on building great vehicles and does not position itself politically
- Giga Berlin has improved its security measures following arson attacks from environmental activists
- Sales in Germany declined in February due to production shifts, but Tesla is increasing production of the new Model Y
- The factory has increased localization of suppliers to be more resilient to potential tariffs and disruptions in world trade
Article
In a recent interview with Senior Director of Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin, Andre Thierig, several important topics surrounding Tesla’s operations in Germany were discussed. Thierig addressed concerns about Elon Musk’s political alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump, the impact of recent arson attacks on the factory by environmental activists, declining sales in Germany, and potential tariffs from the Trump administration. Thierig emphasized that Tesla, as a company and factory location, does not position itself politically and remains focused on producing great vehicles. He also mentioned that the factory has improved its security measures in response to the arson attacks and vandalism.
Thierig attributed Tesla’s decline in February sales in Germany to the shift to producing the new Model Y, which required the factory to shut down production for a few days. He clarified that the responsibility for sales lies with the sales division, while the factory is focused on production. Thierig indicated that the factory has increased localization of suppliers with the new Model Y, with 92 percent of components now sourced from Europe. This localization strategy aims to make the factory more resilient to disruptions in world trade, such as those caused by the pandemic, chip shortages, or conflicts like the war in Ukraine.
The interview with Thierig also touched on Giga Berlin’s expansion plans, recent criticism from union IG Metall, expectations from the incoming federal government, and the need to reduce bureaucracy in the country. Thierig, with his experience at Ford’s German operations, highlighted the importance of vertical integration at the site, which has helped avoid production disruptions during global crises. He expressed confidence in the factory’s ability to adapt to changing conditions and reinforce its supply chain resilience. Thierig has been with Tesla at Giga Berlin since 2020, starting as a paint manager and rising to the position of Senior Director for the factory.
Overall, Thierig’s comments reflect Tesla’s commitment to focusing on production quality and efficiency at Giga Berlin, despite external challenges and political uncertainties. The factory’s response to security threats, sales fluctuations, and potential trade disruptions demonstrates a proactive approach to mitigating risks and ensuring continuity in operations. Thierig’s leadership and experience in the automotive industry have informed Tesla’s strategies for overcoming obstacles and enhancing the resilience of its manufacturing processes. The interview serves as a snapshot of Tesla’s current stance on various issues impacting its operations in Germany and highlights the company’s determination to innovate and succeed in the evolving automotive market.
Read the full article here
