News
Tesla exec talks China’s Design Center location, fluidity, and why cross-departmental cooperation matters
Tesla Chief of Design Franz von Holzhausen’s recent talk with select members of the Chinese media showcased several key insights from the esteemed executive. During his conversation, von Holzhausen touched on topics such as Tesla’s upcoming Design Center in China, the difference between vehicle design and art, the importance of fluidity, and why cross-departmental cooperation matters.
The Design Chief was asked a total of 12 questions during the video conference with Chinese media. Among these was an inquiry about Tesla’s planned Design Center in the country, which was announced earlier this year. While details about the upcoming facility have been pretty slim so far, the center is speculated to be tasked with the creation of an affordable vehicle that will be specifically designed for the Chinese market.
Interestingly enough, von Holzhausen remarked that the Design Center may not be located in Shanghai at all. “The design center may not be located in Shanghai, but it will be located in the country,” he noted, adding that in terms of design and engineering for vehicles, it is best to tap into local talent to do local design.
Franz also remarked that Tesla is a company that does not have a rigid design language. This could be seen in Tesla’s upcoming vehicles like the Cybertruck, which feature a design that is nowhere close to the theme adopted in the Model 3 and the Model Y. All three vehicles are futuristic in their own right, but the Cybertruck utilizes an almost brutalist approach, allowing it to optimize its durability.
For Tesla, von Holzhausen stated that the company looks at the best design plan for each vehicle individually so that every EV could be developed around its maximum potential. He also added that there is a difference between vehicle design and art, as the latter is something highly personal and the former involves solving problems while optimizing aesthetics. That being said, the Chief Designer highlighted that Tesla aims to design products that are the best in their class and featuring a design that can last the test of time.
Perhaps the most notable part of von Holzhausen’s talk, however, lay in his remarks about Tesla’s interdisciplinary approach. The executive noted that Tesla implements a high degree of cross-departmental cooperation, with the company requiring its designers to have engineering thinking and engineers being required to have a design concept. This allows Tesla to find solutions to problems quickly while creating products and vehicles that are unified and complete.
Tesla’s vehicles have become synonymous with the electric vehicle movement, and a lot of this has to do with the stellar work that Franz von Holzhausen and his team have done over the years. Tesla, after all, has pretty much become a household name, and future vehicles like the Cybertruck instantly became known across the globe. Based on the Chief Designer’s insights in his recent talk, it appears that Tesla’s bold strategies extend well into its design process, and this is something that could be expected in the products and vehicles that the company will be releasing in the coming years.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.
Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.
Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.
“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.
Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.
Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.
Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.
The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets.
Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
