In a recent development, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has extended an invitation to Tesla CEO Elon Musk to explore the possibility of establishing a Tesla factory in Turkey. According to Turkey’s communications directorate, during their meeting held at Turkish House, a skyscraper near the United Nations in New York, Erdogan proposed this idea to Musk.
Turkey’s Appeal as a Candidate for Tesla’s Factory
Elon Musk reportedly acknowledged Turkey’s significance as a potential candidate for Tesla’s next manufacturing facility. He also highlighted that many Turkish suppliers are already engaged with Tesla, strengthening the country’s appeal as a suitable location for expansion.
Further Collaboration on the Horizon
During their discussion, President Erdogan expressed Turkey’s openness to cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence and Starlink, the satellite internet initiative led by Musk’s SpaceX. Musk, in response, expressed SpaceX’s interest in collaborating with Turkish authorities to obtain the necessary license for offering Starlink satellite services in Turkey.
In addition to this, Erdogan extended an invitation to Elon Musk to attend the upcoming Turkish aerospace and technology festival, Teknofest, scheduled to take place in Izmir at the end of September. Musk reportedly welcomed the invitation and expressed his willingness to participate.
Elon Musk’s Ongoing Engagements
Apart from his discussions with President Erdogan, Elon Musk is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to California. Musk shared on the social media platform X that the talks with Netanyahu would primarily revolve around artificial intelligence technology.
Tesla’s Global Expansion
This request from President Erdogan comes as Tesla continues to expand its global manufacturing footprint. Tesla currently operates six factories and is in the process of constructing its seventh facility in Mexico, specifically in the northern Nuevo Leon state. The expansion reflects Tesla’s commitment to reaching new markets and catering to increasing demand for its electric vehicles.
Elon Musk had previously mentioned in May that Tesla would likely finalize the location for a new factory by the end of this year. Tesla’s shares have surged by 123% in the current year, and the company recently celebrated a significant milestone by producing its 5 millionth car.