Key Points
- Tesla has started construction work at its Gigafactory Mexico site in Santa Catarina, Mexico.
- The first construction machinery was spotted at the site on August 9, and site preparations are underway to create an exit and a road to the factory site.
- The Nuevo Leon government and Tesla have yet to officially announce the issuance of a building permit, but the governor of Nuevo Leon has said that the permit is coming soon and that the first stages of the factory’s buildout are about to begin.
- Gigafactory Mexico is of huge importance for Tesla’s ambitious goal to ramp annual production to 20 million vehicles by the end of the decade.
- The factory will build the company’s next-generation platform, which will underpin an entry-level model expected to cost around $25,000 and a robotaxi.
- Tesla has said it plans to build Gigafactory Mexico in record time and has suggested that it could even beat Gigafactory Shanghai’s record construction speed of nine months from breaking ground to production.
- Following the announcement of Gigafactory Mexico, local officials estimated that vehicle production could start sometime in 2024. However, later reports stated that the plant would start churning out EVs in the first quarter of 2025.
Gigafactory Mexico
Tesla has begun construction on its largest gigafactory, Gigafactory Mexico, located in Santa Catarina, Mexico. Construction machinery has been spotted at the site, just outside Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo León. The site preparation, including ground levelling work and road construction, is in progress, indicating Tesla’s commitment to establishing a significant manufacturing presence in the region.
Construction
Gigafactory Mexico holds strategic importance for Tesla’s ambitious production goals. With plans to ramp up annual vehicle production to 20 million units by the end of the decade, this factory will play a pivotal role in achieving this target. Tesla’s next-generation platform, designed for an affordable $25,000 entry-level model and a robotaxi, will be manufactured at this site.
Next-generation platform
While awaiting official announcements and permits, the proactive steps taken by both Tesla and the Nuevo León government suggest smooth progress toward construction. Gigafactory Mexico aims to outpace the remarkable construction speed of Gigafactory Shanghai, which went from groundbreaking to production in just nine months.
Santa Catarina, Mexico
Initial estimates by local officials projected vehicle production to begin in 2024, but recent reports indicate that EV production could kick off in the first quarter of 2025. Despite the adjusted timeline, Tesla’s active preparation at the site demonstrates a strong commitment to realizing its plans for the gigafactory.
Gigafactory Mexico stands as a significant milestone in Tesla’s global manufacturing expansion, aligning with the company’s vision for sustainable transportation and energy. This development will be closely monitored by Tesla enthusiasts, investors, and the broader automotive industry.
Conclusion
Tesla has begun active construction on its Gigafactory Mexico site in Santa Catarina, Mexico. The first construction machinery was spotted on August 9, and site preparations are underway to create an exit and a road to the factory site. This is a significant milestone for Tesla, as Gigafactory Mexico is essential to the company’s ambitious goal of ramping up annual production to 20 million vehicles by the end of the decade.
The factory will build the company’s next-generation platform, which will underpin an entry-level model expected to cost around $25,000 and a robotaxi. Tesla has said it plans to build Gigafactory Mexico in record time, and it will be exciting to see how quickly construction progresses and when the first vehicles start rolling off the production line.
