Tesla has solidified its position as a workforce powerhouse in Central Texas, as a recent report indicates that the electric vehicle (EV) giant now employs over 20,000 individuals daily at its Gigafactory Texas location. This impressive workforce establishment positions Tesla as the second-largest private employer in the region.
Anticipating a substantial surge in production of the highly anticipated Cybertruck in the coming months, Jason Shawhan, the Director of Manufacturing at Giga Texas, revealed that the current workforce of 20,000 is expected to triple, reaching a staggering 60,000 employees. This revelation came during the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association conference on September 19, 2023, as reported by the Austin Business Journal.
The growth trajectory of Tesla’s employee count is noteworthy, with an approximate addition of 8,000 employees in the first 8-9 months of 2023. This expansion follows previous statements indicating that the total workforce at Giga Texas had reached 12,277 employees by the close of 2022.
A substantial portion of Tesla’s workforce comprises Austin residents, while others come from Houston, San Antonio, and various towns and cities across the state, as detailed in the presentation. Tesla, known for its discreet operational approach, rarely provides official insights into its workforce dynamics, making this revelation a notable revelation.
Tesla now stands as the second-largest private employer in Texas, trailing only behind the H-E-B supermarket chain, which reportedly employed nearly 23,000 individuals earlier this year, as reported by ABJ.
To accommodate this rapidly expanding workforce, Tesla, in collaboration with local authorities, faces the task of enhancing the local infrastructure. Shawhan acknowledged the parking space constraints for Tesla employees but hinted at a forthcoming garage near the plant that could alleviate this issue.
Elon Musk previously estimated that Giga Texas would produce between 250,000 and 500,000 Cybertrucks. Additionally, the factory is actively engaged in manufacturing battery components. As it continues to expand, the Gigafactory Texas facility appears to be on track to rival Giga Shanghai, currently Tesla’s largest production facility with 20,000 employees and the capacity to manufacture over a million EVs annually.
