Musk teases Giga Texas factory - for Cybertruck production?

[Administrator]

Overnight, Elon Musk tweeted this poll asking for votes for "Giga Texas?"



So, it appears that a Giga Texas factory is being considered or already decided upon. Tesla has a good problem on its hands - with imminent Model Y deliveries and a decision yet to be made (or announced) on where it will produce the Cybertruck (which has already received enough reservations requiring years to fill).

A Giga Texas factory would certainly make sense as a new manufacturing site to handle the Cybertruck production. Texas also happens to be a crucial market for pickup truck sales, which could help the Cybertruck's sales and image among the traditional pickup fans/buyers.

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[Garden_Aum]

It would be a strategic move that may help with issues that NADA has with Tesla direct sales in that state. Also, having a production facility in Texas will help diversify their oil dependent economy. As for location, I would look at Austin, Texas because of its embrace of renewable energy. Another option would be to locate existing production facilities that have been closed; there will be under utilized workforce to select employees from.

 

[BryanMorera]

Texas makes a lot of sense.

• It has a relatively low corporate tax rate (https://www.taxadmin.org/assets/docs/Research/Rates/corp_inc.pdf).
• It is one of the highest producers of wind power (https://www.power-technology.com/features/us-wind-energy-by-state/).
• It is at the heart of the American truck market (no reference for this, but it's common sense).

Additionally, while some people don't like the idea of rewarding a state that have allowed the oil industry to prosper (see tweet below), I think the opposite is true. The only way to effect real change is from the inside. By building a gigafactory in Texas, employing hundreds or thousands of Texans, and establishing a presence in Texas, Tesla can win the hearts and minds of many Texans that are still not pursuaded that electric is the way to go.

 

[SONNYDUT]

Hell yeah, Tesla will turn a dirty Texas (big oil & ICE car) to a greener state and that is bigger than the state itself.

 

[Mule Ferguson]

You can't buy a Tesla in the state of Texas.

https://ww.electrek.co/2018/02/14/tesla-pushing-right-to-sell-cars-directly-states/#

 

[Gozer]

You can't buy a Tesla in the state of Texas.

https://ww.electrek.co/2018/02/14/tesla-pushing-right-to-sell-cars-directly-states/#

We have a Tesla showroom in Austin. You certainly can buy one in Texas.

https://www.tesla.com/findus/location/store/thedomain

 

[SONNYDUT]

You can't buy a Tesla in the state of Texas.

https://ww.electrek.co/2018/02/14/tesla-pushing-right-to-sell-cars-directly-states/#

Not yet. If Tesla going to create a lot of jobs for Texas they will open up and will accept build, buy and sell. If not, big lose for the people. It's not the people who oppose to Tesla, it's the oil company who lobby the law. Tesla will bring jobs and greener air to the state.

 

[Mule Ferguson]

Tesla first had a Showroom in Raleigh that you could buy a Tesla. When Charlotte opened they could not sell you a Tesla. Car Dealer's lobbing.. This past year they finally let them sell.

 

[drcarric2650]

I'm sure Tesla won't build there without incentives that would promote their cars and other green goals, or at least not interfere with their goals.

 

[Mule Ferguson]

 

[Mule Ferguson]

a-tesla-expansion-in-north-carolina-it-may-be-on.html

 

[DMC-81]

I agree. Texas would be a great site for all the reasons listed above.

It's also near the middle of the country East-West wise.

Question: Does Tesla allow you to arrange to see your vehicle being assembled (at least partially) and take delivery right at the factory the same as Corvette does?

If so, as a bonus, I could more easily take delivery at the factory and drive it home to Florida.

 

[Garden_Aum]

a-tesla-expansion-in-north-carolina-it-may-be-on.html

That was an interesting article. I like how it addressed the issues that need to be addressed to enable the building of a major manufacturer facility.

 

[Sirfun]

Texas makes a lot of sense. I think there are a lot of people in the U.S. that don't like California and having Trucks built in the south would give some of those people a better feeling about Tesla. Also It would be easier and cost effective to ship over seas.

 

[stoneoakvet]

We Texans drive a lot of Trucks. Part of the appeal is the comfort on long trips with family, this is a very large state with wide open space and great highways. The other appeal is the versatility when doing outdoor activities. San Antonio would be a great place for the Cybertruck factory. We already have a Toyota plant producing Tacoma and Tundra trucks. The rail lines are already in place for distribution to the rest of the country. We are only 150 miles from the Mexican border for export to the south.

We have a lot of sun here so a solar panel option on the Cybertruck would be awesome.

Regarding the ability to buy a Tesla in Texas, I ordered our Model S P85 online in December 2013 and took delivery February 2014 in Austin. We have been able to get Tesla cars here for many years. We've had our own show room and service center here in San Antonio for a couple years now. I've seen hundreds of Tesla automobiles San Antonio, Austin and Dallas where I drive.