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Tesla already recalling Giga Shanghai’s workers after three-week shutdown: report

Credit: Tesla Inc.

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Tesla has reportedly started calling back its workers in Gigafactory Shanghai, as the electric vehicle maker looks to return to vehicle production on Tuesday. Previous reports have initially estimated that Giga Shanghai would be returning to operations on Monday local time.

China’s recent Covid shutdowns have taken a toll on both its economy and its residents. With China being a key supplier for various industries, the Covid-related shutdowns across the country have effectively hurt not only its local economy but the global supply chain as well. Shanghai’s residents have reported income losses, lack of steady food supplies, and separation from their families during the city’s recent lockdowns. 

Two sources have informed Reuters that Tesla is already preparing to restart Gigafactory Shanghai, potentially on Tuesday. Initially, the target was to have the electric vehicle production facility return to a single-shift system on Monday, but one supplier’s difficulties reportedly resulted in the restart goal being pushed back a day. As per previous reports, Tesla would be adding shifts to its operations following its planned single-shift restart as needed. 

It’s not just Tesla that is looking to return to work in China’s automotive sector. SAIC Motor, which produces the Wuling Mini EV with American carmaker General Motors (GM), has noted that it would be stress-testing its own production resumption initiatives on Monday local time. 

Gigafactory Shanghai’s vehicle production operations have been paused since the end of March. Considering that the Shanghai-based electric vehicle factory has been estimated to produce about 2,100 cars per day, the facility’s three-week shutdown would likely result in a notable decline in Tesla’s vehicle production and delivery numbers for the second quarter of 2022. It is also estimated that Giga Shanghai’s production ramp after it resumes production will not be an instant process. 

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The long shutdown of Gigafactory Shanghai has resulted in some unfounded rumors emerging. Earlier this month, for example, it was reported that Giga Shanghai would be reopening its doors in mid-May. The rumor was eventually debunked by Tesla China, which noted that the information was false. Tesla China VP Grace Tao also stated that Tesla is currently looking for clues that could help the company determine where the false information originated. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Elon Musk to file lawsuit against former US Rep Jamaal Bowman: “I’ve had enough”

Bowman called the Tesla CEO a “Nazi” and a “thief” during a segment on CNN.

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MINISTÉRIO DAS COMUNICAÇÕES, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Elon Musk has announced that he is filing a lawsuit against former United States Representative Jamaal Bowman over his recent comments in a CNN segment.

Musk shared his legal intentions in a post on social media platform X.

Bowman’s Comments

During an appearance on CNN, Bowman, who made news in 2023 by triggering a fire alarm while Congress was in session, strongly criticized Elon Musk. Unlike other Musk critics, Bowman went straight for the jugular, calling the CEO a “Nazi” and a “thief.” Bowman’s comments received polarizing reactions in social media, with some users stating that such words could be used to sue for defamation.

“The American people do not trust Elon Musk. And Elon Musk is incompetent in his position. And how do we know? Because they fired tens of thousands of people, it was challenged in court, the court said people have to go back, and now the people are coming back. He’s incompetent, he’s a thief, he’s a Nazi, and people don’t trust him,” Bowman said.

“I’ve Had Enough”

In a comment to a video of Bowman’s CNN segment that was shared on X, Musk stated that the former Democratic Congressman’s words have crossed a line. “I’ve had enough. Lawsuit inbound,” Musk wrote in a post on X. Musk’s post received some support from X users, several of whom noted that it’s high time the CEO fought back against the vitriol that is consistently thrown his way.

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Musk has been on the receiving end of protests from critics who oppose his work with U.S. President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Opposition against Musk has spilled over to Tesla, resulting in stores being shot, firebombed by Molotov cocktails, vandalized, and vehicles and Superchargers being subjected to arson. Even regular Tesla owners have reported a growing wave of vandalism incidents.

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Tesla aiming to produce first “legion” of Optimus robots this 2025

Tesla is aiming to start the production of Optimus this year, and its first run will be no joke.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla’s Q1 2025 All-Hands meeting saw CEO Elon Musk share a key update about the company’s most ambitious product yet — Optimus. As per Musk, Tesla is aiming to start the production of Optimus this year, and its first run will be no joke. 

Tesla Optimus’ Quick Evolution

Tesla initially announced Optimus during its AI Day event in 2021. At the time, Tesla only had a mockup of the robot and a literal person in a suit to demonstrate what Optimus could look like. By 2022, Tesla had a working prototype of the robot. Optimus’ progress has been rapid since then, with several dozens of the humanoid robots interacting with attendees at the Cybercab’s unveiling last October.

Optimus’ Potential

During the recent All-Hands meeting, Elon Musk reiterated the idea that Optimus could very well be the biggest product of all time, likely being ten times larger than the next-biggest product. Musk also shared an update about Optimus’ production, stating that the first humanoid robot has been manufactured at the Fremont Factory.

A Legion for 2025

When discussing Optimus’ ramp, Musk clarified that Tesla is internally aiming for enough parts to produce 10,000 to 12,000 Optimus robots this year. However, since Optimus is a completely different product, even half of 10,000 units would be a huge victory for Tesla. Tesla also plans to ramp Optimus to a notable degree in 2026, with the company aiming for 50,000 units, or 10 “legions” of humanoid robots, next year.

“So this year, we hopefully will be able to make about 5,000 Optimus robots.  We’re technically aiming for enough parts to make 10,000, maybe 12,000, but since it’s a totally new product with a totally new, like everything is totally new, I’ll say we’re succeeding if we get to half go the 10,000.

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“But even 5,000 robots, that’s the size of a Roman legion, FYI, which is like a little scary thought. Like a whole legion of robots, I’ll be like ‘whoa.’ But I think we will literally build a legion, at least one legion of robots this year, and then probably 10 legions next year. I think it’s kind of a cool unit, you know? Units of legion. So probably 50,000-ish next year,” Musk said.

Tesla’s Q1 2025 All-Hands Meeting can be viewed below.

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Tesla Shanghai Megafactory starts exporting Megapacks, first to Australia

Tesla Asia celebrated the Shanghai Megafactory’s first Megapack exports on X.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/X

Tesla has begun exporting Megapack battery systems from its Shanghai Megafactory, with the first shipment departing for Australia on Friday. This marks a key step in Tesla Energy’s expansion into the global energy storage industry, utilizing its new China-based Megafactory to supply several new markets.

Tesla Asia celebrated the Shanghai Megafactory’s first Megapack exports through its official social media account on X.

Tesla Megapacks in Focus

The Tesla Megapack is capable of storing 3.9 MWh of energy, and they are designed for grid use. As per Tesla in its official website, each Megapack battery has enough energy to power an average of 3,600 homes for one hour. The Megapack is designed to be infinitely scalable as well, making it a good fit for large-scale sustainable energy projects.

The Shanghai Megafactory

The Shanghai Megafactory began production in early 2025, a record eight months after its May 2024 groundbreaking. With an initial output of 10,000 units annually, equal to about 40 GWh, the Shanghai Megafactory has the potential to significantly boost Tesla’s battery storage deployments.

As per a report from Xinhua News Agency, Tesla is expecting its energy deployments to rise 50% year-over-year this 2025.

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Tesla Leaders on the Shanghai Megafactory

Mike Snyder, vice president of energy and charging at Tesla, previously outlined the potential of the Shanghai Megafactory. “Megafactory gives us the ability to scale production and efficiency. We can lower logistics costs as well as product costs, and grow the business to new markets,” he stated. 

The Shanghai Megafactory also seems to be part of Tesla’s efforts to grow its presence in China, which was highlighted by CEO Elon Musk during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During their meeting, Musk reportedly stated that “Tesla is willing to deepen cooperation with China and achieve more win-win results.”

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