Tesla Drivers Receive Their First Cars As Gigafactory Opens In Germany

Tesla CEO Elon Musk celebrated the handover of the automaker’s first European-made cars at its German Gruenheide factory officially opened its doors this week.

According to Reuters, a small party of 30 clients and their families took place as they received the first batch of vehicles from the plant through a neon-lit tunnel, as Musk danced along.

“This is a great day for the factory,” Musk said, alluding to it as “another step in the direction of a sustainable future.” 

The Giga Berlin is slated to produce over 500,000 electric vehicles per year, as well as manufacture battery cells for the automobiles, as per DW.

In addition, the chief announced Tesla would begin testing its new Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in Europe beginning next year but is currently awaiting approval from the authorities. 

He explained it was more difficult to achieve FSD in Europe as compared to the US, as roads in the region vary drastically by country. 

However, not everyone was positive about the opening of the Gigafactory. In fact, two protestors abseiled from a motorway sign, causing hours-long traffic disruptions near the site. 

Will the new site cement Tesla’s brand in the European market, or will protestors have their say against the new mega-factory? We’ll have to wait and see. 

[via Reuters and DW, cover image via betto rodrigues / Shutterstock.com]