Tesla‘s GigaBerlin chief André Thierig said over the weekend that the factory is increasing production in the remaining third quarter and in the final three months of the year citing increased demand.
Speaking with the German Press Agency, the chief of Tesla‘s European plant said that the brand currently has a “very good sales situation,” which will drive higher output at the factory.
“We have therefore revised our production planning upward for both the third and fourth quarters,” Thierig stated.
The factory, which only manufactures the Model Y, has reached half a million units produced last March, around three years after the first SUV rolled off the line.
At the beginning of the year, Tesla refreshed its best-selling model.
The transition to producing the updated version temporarily disrupted both manufacturing and sales.
However, despite increased production, the EV maker’s sales in Germany are down 56% year to date, when compared to the first eight months of 2024.
The German Government introduced in July new EV incentives for business fleets.
The plan promotes EV adoption by offering accelerated depreciation, corporate tax relief, financial support for start-ups and mid-sized firms, and faster development of renewable energy and charging infrastructure.
Amid growing pressure from legacy automakers over the 2035 EU ban on petrol-powered vehicles, André Thierig warns the government that siding with them could threaten the EV industry in eastern Germany.
The factory manager calls for a clear commitment to promoting electric vehicles.
In August, Tesla sold 13,162 vehicles across its European markets, a drop of 19.8% compared to the 16,413 units registered in August 2024.
Thierig noted that they are “looking at how the market develops and continue to see positive signals for all the markets” served by the GigaBerlin.
Currently, the plant produces EVs to over 30 markets globally including all European countries, Canada, Taiwan and the Middle East region.
“Of course, this goes far beyond Germany,” Thierig added, noting that the factory supplies “over 30 markets” and “see a positive trend there.”
Earlier this month, the first Tesla vehicles from Giga Berlin have arrived in Canada, as the company shifts away from US-made Model Ys, in response to current tariffs.
The EV maker recently introduced a new Model Y variant in European markets — the Model Y Performance.
Prices start from €62,970 ($73,800) in the German market, up from €44,900 ($52,600) for the standard rear-wheel drive version.
The model is already available to order in most markets, and deliveries are expected to start this month already in countries such as Germany or the Netherlands.
