Musk visits Tesla factory in Germany hit by sabotage. 14/03/2024
- Ana Cunha-Busch
- Mar 13, 2024
- 2 min read
By AFP - Agence France Presse
Elon Musk traveled to the Tesla factory near Berlin on Wednesday to give "support" to its employees after the factory was forced to halt production because of an alleged arson attack on nearby power lines.
Tesla's CEO addressed thousands of employees on his arrival at the site, blaming "eco-terrorists" for the sabotage while defending his company's green credentials.
With his son X AE A-XII in his arms, Musk said: "I'm here to support you".
The billionaire's visit came a week after the power lines supplying the electric car maker's only European factory were set on fire in an act of sabotage claimed by a far-left group called Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group).
At the time, Musk said the attack was "extremely stupid", while the company claimed the cost would be several hundred million euros.
A week later, the lights came back on at the site, but Andre Thierig, who runs the site, said on LinkedIn that "it would take a little while" before production was back up to full speed.
Industry experts have warned that the reputational impact caused by the sabotage in the region could be more serious than the losses suffered by Tesla.
Tesla's German factory began production in 2022, after an arduous two-year approval and construction process marked by administrative and legal hurdles.
Tesla wants to expand the site by 170 hectares (420 acres) and increase production by up to one million vehicles a year to feed Europe's growing demand for electric cars and take on rivals who are moving away from combustion engine vehicles.
But the plans have angered residents, who voted against the project in a non-binding vote last month.
After the vote, Tesla said it might have to rethink the plans.
Environmental activists opposed to the factory expansion also recently set up camp in a wooded area near the factory.
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