Tesla is moving back towards full production of around 2,600 electric cars a day at its Shanghai gigafactory in what could be promising news for Australian customers waiting for a Model 3 electric sedan or the chance to order a Model Y crossover.
Tesla was forced by Covid-19 shutdowns to scale back its shifts from three to one, and had hoped to return to pre-shutdown levels on May 16. Now, it is understood that a full return to work will be implemented by next Tuesday (May 31).
Images shared on social media claim to show staff arriving at the Shanghai gigafactory to resume a second shift. Currently, Tesla staff have been working just one shift a day, sleeping by workstations in a “closed-loop” system.
The news that Tesla may be returning to full output from Shanghai will be welcomed by customers in Australia, many of whom have been told they may be waiting until 2023 to receive a new Model 3.
It could also bear well for those waiting for Tesla to open Model Y orders in Australia. Several anticipated launch dates for the EV maker’s popular electric crossover have been missed, despite the order page going live temporarily in recent weeks.
Tesla expands closed-loop shifts in Shanghai
Prior to the lockdowns Tesla shipped most vehicles made for export to Europe, wher eit can earn co2 credits, but the opening of its Berlin factory in late March should allow for more vehicles to be delivered to Australia, where the wait times for the Model 3 have jumped to 12 months.
In April, Tesla delivered just 52 cars to customers. It’s a low number given the EV maker delivered 4,417 cars in the first three months of the year, and even though it typically ramps up deliveries towards the end of the quarter.
Now, an internal memo reportedly aims to have full production of Model 3s and Model Ys back in the swing by June 31, Reuters reports.
Additionally, Tesla watcher @JayinShanghai shared images on Twitter that he says came from Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. The images show crowds of people on buses, many wearing Tesla hats.
“Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai preparing for 2nd shift resumption of production! Gathering all of the 2nd shift factory workers into closed loop management,” he wrote on Tuesday morning.
Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai preparing for 2nd shift resumption of production!
Gathering all of the 2nd shift factory workers into closed loop management. Videos have been surfacing on Chinese TikTok (Douyin).$TSLA pic.twitter.com/e4rKsPIRvS
— Jay in Shanghai 🇨🇳 (@JayinShanghai) May 23, 2022
Future Tesla Gigafactory plans
Tesla reportedly is planning to expand its Shanghai operations to become the “world’s largest export hub“. If all goes to plan, Tesla plans to make close to one million electric cars a year in China.
It is also considering building an electric vehicle and battery factory in Indonesia. As The Driven reported on Monday, the EV maker would capitalise on the country’s massive nickel reserves and its investment minister confirmed the deal is likely.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.