Photo: Qin Gang
Musk took Chinese official Qin Gang for a ride in a Tesla Model S Plaid this week, according to a post shared by @Qin on Thursday (via Automotive News).
One Tesla representative noted that the drive took place in Fremont, California, where one of Tesla’s U.S. factories is located.
Qin went on to say the Model S Plaid was a “powerful model, but smooth ride!” Musk adorned in a black suite and tie is seen sitting in both the driver and passenger seats of the Model S Plaid with Qin Gang. One photo shows Musk without his hands on the yoke steering wheel as the car sits in traffic.
Took a ride in a @Tesla Model S Plaid on #autopilot. Powerful model, but smooth ride! pic.twitter.com/MlFJ6FKfKy
— Qin Gang 秦刚 (@AmbQinGang) March 4, 2022
In a follow-up post, @Qin also said he “had an inspiring talk with Elon Musk today,” in which the two covered subjects such as “cars on the road, stars in the sky, research of human brain, meaning of life on earth and our future into space.” Qin added, “Look up and think beyond!”
Musk has been known to have exchanges with high-profile people, like when Musk was taken for a drive by competing CEO and Volkswagen Head Herbert Diess.
However, working closely with a Chinese government official — seeing as China is the world’s largest auto market — is an entirely different caliber of “high-profile.”
Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai continues to churn out vehicles at a record pace, helping the automaker achieve its record Q4 and full-year 2021 production and deliveries.
