Following recent rumours that Tesla might be considering a second Gigafactory in China, Tesla China Vice President Grace Tao has issued a statement denying the rumours, but left open the possibility it could still happen.
Earlier this week there were media reports that several cities in China were trying to attract the US-based automaker. One city that seemed to be the front-runner was in the eastern Chinese province of Shangdong, in the port city of Qingdao.
In a statement posted to Tao’s Weibo account on Wednesday evening, she said the rumours of that specific location were untrue.
“The information circulating on the internet about the location is not true,” she said. (translated from Chinese)
While the statement certainly put to bed the rumour of Qingdao, it did not deny that the automaker was in the process of seeking a location for a second Gigafactory.
Tesla’s current Gigafactory in Shanghai has become a key part to the company’s success.
Since opening in early 2020 production has ramped up with the addition of the Model Y production line, and has recently become the company’s main vehicle export hub.
Tesla China also recently announced the completion of its Research & Development Center at Giga Shanghai. The new facility will help design the upcoming $25K Tesla. According to a video released to announce the opening, there were also hints of more EV product lines coming down the pipe.
