image via Aly Song at Reuters
Tesla has run into problems at yet another one of its major production facilities. Sources at Bloomberg reported that Tesla had to suspend operations at its Shanghai Gigafactory this week. The announcement now marks the global halt of Tesla production facilities, as Tesla’s Fremont, California Gigafactory also remains closed.
There is a silver lining when it comes to the closing of the Shanghai facility, however. The factory didn’t close due to complications with the coronavirus outbreak. Instead, the factory suspension makes way for routine maintenance work. While Tesla did have to close down that same Shanghai facility due to COVID-19 months ago, the recent closure remains expected. This fact comes as good news for Tesla. Since maintenance closed the factory, reopening will likely occur much sooner.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Tesla’s production facility in Fremont, California. The factory has been closed for some time now. Abiding by state and local shelter at home orders, Tesla cut its staff at the facility back to the absolute minimum. At the current state of the coronavirus, it remains unclear exactly when Tesla will be cleared to bring its full staff back to work. Because Tesla does not qualify as an essential business, they could be in for a bit of a wait. Thankfully, it looks as though Shanghai operations will be back underway soon.
