Tesla rejects UK factory plan over Brexit uncertainty

The EV manufacturer's first European production site will be in Germany instead.

Dominik Wilde

By: Dominik Wilde

Nov 13, 2019 at 12:20pm ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

Tesla chief Elon Musk has revealed that Brexit uncertainty was key to his company rejecting Britain as the site of its new European factory.

The electric vehicle manufacturer has confirmed that its first European production facility will open near Berlin in 2021, with an engineering and design centre also opening at the site.

The latest from Tesla

What does first diecast unboxing reveal about 2020 Tesla Roadster?

Musk confirms bigger battery for Tesla Model S/X Plaid

Tesla passes GM as most valuable U.S. automaker, shorts lose £1.1b

Speaking to Auto Express Musk hinted that the UK had been under consideration as the location for the new plant, but lingering doubts over the effects of Britain's drawn-out departure from the European Union put an end to that idea.

"Brexit made it too risky to put a Gigafactory in the UK," said Musk, who previously confirmed to the same title that a research and development site would be opened in the UK – a plan that has since been scrapped.

Tesla Gigafactory 2

The new Tesla factory will be situated close to the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport which is set to open next year. It will produce batteries and drivetrains as well as cars, with the upcoming Model Y confirmed as the first car to be assembled at the site.

"We’ve decided to put the Tesla Gigafactory Europe in the Berlin area," said Musk said at the recent Golden Steering Wheel Awards. "I come to Berlin a lot – Berlin rocks!"

"Some of the best cars in the world are made in Germany, everyone knows that German engineering is outstanding," he added. "That’s part of the reason why we’re locating our Gigafactory Europe in Germany."

Tesla Gigafactory 3 - October 2019 (source: 乌瓦)

The Berlin factory joins Tesla's main California factory, its two 'Gigafactories' in Nevada and New York (above), and its new £1.6 billion facility in China (below) which is currently under construction. Once completed, the Shanghai plant will built Model 3 and Model Y cars.

What do you think?

View

Comments

Tesla's rejection of the UK is a fresh blow to the country's car manufacturing industry after Ford, Nissan, PSA, and Toyota all previously warning that it could end some or all of its UK production as a result of Brexit. Honda has already announced it will close its factory in Swindon, although the Japanese firm insists that the decision is not to do with Brexit.

The continued threat of a no-deal Brexit also led to a 15 percent slump in UK car manufacturing for the first three quarters of 2019, will less than a million vehicles being produced between January and September.

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

The Rotary Engine Should Be Everywhere. Why Isn't It?

The 2027 BMW X5 Is Hugely Improved Where It Matters Most: Driven

Toyota's Next Mid-Engined Coupe Is Going Racing This Weekend

Alfa Romeo Has Had It With Huge Screens Inside Cars, Says They'll Inevitably Become Obsolete

Subaru Teases A New Manual WRX, But Only For Japan