Tesla Model 3 vehicles, arranged to form “1M”, ready for export at Shanghai’s Nangang Port on Sept 28. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory achieved a new milestone on Sept 28, surpassing one million global exports of electric vehicles. The achievement was marked by a shipment of Model 3 vehicles departing from Shanghai’s Nangang Port bound for the United Kingdom.
Since its first export of 7,000 Model 3 vehicles to Europe in October 2020, the Shanghai facility has become a testament to China’s substantial manufacturing capabilities. The factory now produces both Model 3 and Model Y vehicles for export to markets across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
The recent achievement coincided with the Tesla Model 3 receiving recognition for its design at the “Shanghai Design 100+” press conference. Selected from 2,745 entries across 19 countries, the Model 3 design secured a coveted spot in the top 100 list for 2024.
Speaking at the 2024 World Design Cities Conference (WDCC) in Shanghai, Tesla’s representative Xu Lei emphasized the company’s commitment to innovative designs, both in its vehicles and production facilities. As Tesla’s first wholly self-designed vehicle manufacturing plant, the Shanghai Gigafactory boasts an efficient layout integrating stamping, welding, painting, and final assembly, enabling the production of a vehicle every 30 seconds.
Furthermore, Tesla confirmed the rapid construction progress of its Megapack battery factory in Shanghai’s Lin-gang Special Area. With over 60 percent of the main factory building complete, production is on track to commence in the first quarter of 2025.
Luo Bin contributed to this story.