Germany’s Handelsblatt reported that Tesla’s planned car factory near Berlin has received final approval from German authorities. The company is preparing for an event (opening ceremony) scheduled for March 22 or 23. According to reports, Elon Musk will attend the event and deliver the first 30 German-made Model Y Performance Editions to lucky owners. However, getting the license doesn't mean Tesla can start production immediately. There are other conditions that the company will have to meet before it starts production.
With months-long delays in getting final approvals at Tesla's Berlin plant, Tesla has had plenty of time to fine-tune and polish the production process so they'll be ready to start test production work sooner. Tesla's Berlin plant will start producing four Model Y test cars as early as this week, all of which are long-range versions. Three of the four vehicles will come with 19-inch Gemini wheels, and the fourth will have optional 20-inch induction wheels. Also, unlike the performance test cars, these long-range test cars do not come with radar.
There's no word on when Tesla's Berlin plant will officially begin mass production of the Model Y long-range version. However, building these test cars will help validate the final mass production effort. After all, staff will still need to fine-tune the production line to be compatible with both models.
The process of getting approval for its Berlin plant is very slow. Musk had previously said that the Berlin plant could be approved last summer, but it has been delayed by about nine months.
Oklahoma passes new regulations that could force Tesla out of the market
The US state of Oklahoma today passed a new car sales regulation (Act 3994), prohibiting companies without a dealer license. If these companies do not have a dealer license, they will be forced out of the Oklahoma market. Tesla is using the Engage platform to call for community support to fight the bill. Tesla claims the bill could be a ban on manufacturers like itself from servicing and shipping cars in the state. If the bill passes, some of Tesla's existing California stores will have to close down.
What's more, the bill could also result in Oklahoma Tesla owners having to drive out of state to pick up and service their vehicles. Tesla does not allow third parties to service or work on its vehicles. This is one of the main reasons why Tesla's after-sales services are very slow.
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