Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, will temporarily suspend production at its Gruenheide plant near Berlin, as confirmed by the company following reports of a planned shutdown. The decision is sparked by the rising opposition to its expansion in Germany.
Planned production shutdown
The production at the Gruenheide plant will be suspended for a day on May 10, as manager André Thierig announced on social media. This temporary halt coincides with a public holiday in Germany on Thursday.
Employee instructions and schedule
Tesla has told all employees who are to work at the plant on Friday to work from home, according to an e-mail seen by Handelsblatt, a German newspaper. Production is set to conclude with the late shift on Wednesday and resume with the night shift on Sunday, according to reports.
Reasons for shutdown
Meanwhile, the closures are related with a number of ongoing demonstrations in Germany that are against the company’s plans. Previously in February, voters rejected felling trees in order to make room for an enlargement of the factory, which has slowed down Tesla’s progress.
Challenges and opposition
The decision to halt production reflects the challenges faced by Tesla in navigating through opposition to its expansion plans. Activists plan a bunch of anti-Tesla expansion protests throughout the week, such as holding a pro-protest in front of the gates of the factory on Friday.
Impact on sales and market
The factory closure was announced during a period when Tesla has registered a 5% decrease in sales in the EU during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period for last year. It is in contrast to a 4% increase in battery powered EVs in the last 4 months, according to the data by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.
The ceasing of Tesla’s Gruenheide facility production is a result of its problems of being protested, and opposed to the expansion intended in Germany. As Tesla navigates through these hurdles, its sales performance in the European market remains under scrutiny amidst a competitive EV landscape. The effect of these protests and what they mean for Tesla’s operations in future will be closely monitored by industry observers.