In a video interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Tesla CEO Elon Musk detailed expansions including battery production, Cybercab robotaxis, Semi trucks, and Optimus robots—but warned plans depend on the factory avoiding IG Metall influence in upcoming works council elections, amid production drops and slumping European sales. He assured the site would not close.
Elon Musk addressed Giga Berlin employees via a pre-recorded video interview with plant manager André Thierig, screened on February 26, 2026, and posted on X the following day by Tesla Manufacturing. The message came shortly before the contentious works council election from March 2 to 4, involving over 10,000 employees.
Musk praised the Brandenburg facility—operational since 2022 and currently producing only the Model Y—as one of the world's most advanced, citing its cleanliness and team culture. He outlined ambitious expansions: ramping battery cell production (now underway ahead of the prior 2027 target); boosting Model Y output alongside supervised Full Self-Driving regulatory approvals in Europe (expected in the Netherlands on March 20); Cybercab robotaxis (production started at Giga Texas, volume ramp this year; likely next major product for Berlin); electric Semi trucks; and humanoid Optimus robots (production in 2026, potential public sales by end of 2027, possibly Tesla's highest-volume product long-term at 1 million units annually).
Musk highlighted Tesla's advanced AI for everyday use, predicting that by this year it would be technically possible "to fall asleep in a Tesla and wake up at the destination." Driverless robotaxis are currently tested in Austin, Texas, with supervisors.
However, he conditioned expansions on the factory remaining "free from external influences," implicitly targeting IG Metall, which seeks a strong role. "Things will certainly be more difficult if there are outside organizations pushing Tesla in the wrong direction," Musk said. "We will not close the factory, but realistically we will also not expand."
Tensions are high: Tesla filed a criminal complaint against an IG Metall representative for allegedly recording an internal meeting, while IG Metall countersued Thierig for defamation; both sides agreed to a pre-election truce. New data shows Grünheide production fell dramatically in 2025 to under 40% capacity, though Musk and Thierig claim Tesla is bucking competitors' downturns. European sales dropped nearly 38% last year amid backlash over Musk's political stances, including AfD support, with January registrations at 8,000 units—less than half of BYD's.
Musk envisions Giga Berlin as Europe's largest factory complex, if backed by authorities and locals.
