Tesla is in talks with the Italian government about the potential production of electric trucks in the country, according to a report. The news comes amid recent confirmation from the government that they are discussing the possible construction of a Tesla factory in Italy.
Milan newspaper, Il Sole 24 Ore, reported on Tuesday that “contacts [with Tesla] have been ongoing for several months, on and off.” Italian business and industry is in contact with possible new automakers in Italy, “and the most serious contacts have been with Elon Musk’s Tesla,” the newspaper reported.
The report clarifies that negotiations have been going on since last summer. However, in parallel with them, Italy is negotiating with three Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers: BYD, Great Wall Motors, and Chery Automobile.
At the end of February, Drive Tesla reported that Italy’s Minister of Business and Made, Adolfo Urso, said the country is in talks with a number of manufacturers from various countries about setting up production in Italy. He said Tesla was among the automakers with whom the government held talks regarding efforts to increase car production in Italy.
“We have had conversations with producers from several countries, not just eastern ones, but western ones too,” Urso told the Lower House’s industry committee amid reported interest from Chinese maker BYD in making vehicles in Italy.
At the time, Tesla’s factory in Germany had been attacked, so the minister expressed hope that the manufacturer would more seriously consider a plan to set up a production factory in another European country.
“A German city rejected a plan for the large-scale expansion of Tesla’s European assembly plant,” the minister said, referring to Brandenburg. “This will certainly lead to a decision by the group,” he added.
In mid-March, while visiting Giga Berlin, Elon Musk said that it makes sense for Tesla to consider producing Semi trucks in Europe. The region is a huge market for the company. The CEO said that production will be in Germany, however there are no confirmed plans yet.
