Elon Musk Seeks Justice for Arson Attack
Tesla Inc TSLA CEO Elon Musk has called for swift action from German authorities to apprehend the perpetrators behind the recent arson attack at the company’s gigafactory in Berlin. The attack brought production to a grinding halt, leaving a trail of disruptions in its wake.
Incident Details
What Happened: Musk’s insistence on an investigation was relayed by Brandenburg’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Jörg Steinbach, in an interview with German television outlet RBB24.
According to Steinbach, Musk emphasized the critical need to bring the attackers to justice, stating, “You absolutely need to find a way to apprehend this attacker. People shouldn’t be left with the wrong message if they escape capture.”
The arson incident, claimed by the far-left activist group Vulkan Group, led to a power outage at the factory in early March, resulting in a production halt for approximately a week. The Federal prosecutor’s office is currently conducting an investigation into the matter.
Musk’s Response and Public Perception
During his visit to Berlin post-attack, Musk engaged in discussions with Steinbach. The talks delved into Tesla’s public image in the region, highlighting the community’s resistance to the company’s expansion plans for the factory site, primarily centered around environmental concerns.
Steinbach indicated that Musk was receptive to feedback, noting the necessity for Tesla to enhance its public relations outreach, foster greater community engagement, and dispel misconceptions related to its operations.
Tesla Berlin plant manager Andre Thierig echoed sentiments challenging the public resistance, attributing it to widespread misinformation.
Future Expansion Plans
Proposed Expansion: Tesla’s gigafactory in Berlin stands as the only manufacturing facility for the company in Europe. The 2023 annual report outlines the factory’s current capacity to produce 375,000 Model Y vehicles per year.
Tesla aims to bolster its manufacturing capabilities by doubling its battery production capacity to 100-gigawatt hours and escalating car production to 1 million units annually.
For more insights on the Future Of Mobility, check out Benzinga’s coverage through this link.
Read More: Elon Musk Shares Insights on the Production Costs Between Making an Optimus and a Tesla EV, Despite the Latter’s Complexity as a Humanoid Robot.
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