Tesla is reportedly seeking to add a fourth production shift at its Giga Berlin factory in Germany to double production in order to meet a manufacturing rate of 500,000 vehicles annually. The automaker has already increased its third shift, resulting in a weekly production volume of 5,000 vehicles per week. Managing Director Jochem Freyer from the employment agency in Frankfurt has confirmed that all openings for the third shift have been filled, and Tesla is now considering a fourth shift to double its production output to 10,000 vehicles per week.
Tesla is expected to add a fourth shift soon, as workers are being sought by the company to push production figures higher. The German factory has recently reached a weekly production rate of 5,000 vehicles, up from 4,000 vehicles just a month prior, indicating a 20% increase in production in just 30 days.
While Giga Berlin is supporting demand for Tesla’s vehicles in Europe, the plant is still under construction and production is not yet complete. Tesla has received partial approval to expand the plant over the next few years, with local politicians supporting the automaker’s positive influence on the economy, while environmental groups are pushing back against the plans.
Tesla plans to build 1,000,000 vehicles in Germany annually, which will help support the growing demand for its vehicles in Europe. The automaker has routinely outperformed other electric automakers in the region, including Volkswagen, which has been working to transition to EVs.
In Q1 2023, Tesla reported its strongest quarter to date, building over 440,000 cars and delivering over 422,000, beating analyst targets of around 420,000. Production expansion plans at Giga Berlin will not stop at the 10,000 vehicles per week/500,000 vehicles per year mark, with Tesla aiming for even further growth at the factory as part of its massive expansion plans.
