Starting to build its cars locally would mean Tesla would have a bigger impact in China, however, according to company boss Elon Musk, that moment is still three to four years away.
In Musk’s own words, “At some point in the next three or four years we’ll be establishing local manufacturing in China,” because it “is very important to the future of Tesla. We’re going to make a big investment in China in terms of charging infrastructure.”
In doing so, it will allow the manufacturer to bring down prices considerably, by 25 percent, the value of the PRC’s import duty.
The first major investment, it seems, will be in the charging infrastructure, which will precede the building of an actual production facility. Their plan is to create a “big” network of such stations that will first be concentrated around major urban centers, like Beijing or Shanghai.
Apparently, they will be investing “hundreds of millions of dollars” into the project, according to this article on Bloomberg.
Note: Digitally altered Model S long-wheelbase sedan pictured
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
