Tesla May Head to Texas With Its New Car Factory

Tesla May Head to Texas With Its New Car Factory

The stars of Tesla's fortunes would indeed be bright, if it moved to deep in the heart of Texas.

Could Tesla be headed to Texas for their next factory?

According to a report in the Austin American-Statesman, Travis County—the country that contains the state capital of Austin—is in talks with Tesla about an incentive package that would bring a new Tesla factory to the area.

The report also said that the Travis County Commissioners Court will meet in executive session Tuesday to discuss the potential deal, although a vote is likely weeks away.

Tesla’s Elon Musk had said, back in March, that he was looking at the “Central USA” for the company’s next “Gigafactory,” which would primarily focus on manufacturing the company’s electrically-powered Cybertruck, while also being used for the company’s Model Y.

Musk had also said in March that the company was eying the East Coast for another facility, to be used for the Model Y.

Reports last month had the Austin area and Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the finalists for that location. It’s unclear, per the newspaper report, whether the talks with Travis County mean that Austin is the final choice, or if the negotiations are merely a step in the process.

The new factory would be the largest Tesla has ever built, exceeding the size of its Gigafactory in Fremont, California. That was the facility that Musk chose to reopen during California’s stay-at-home orders, against the wishes of public officials in Alameda County. Despite Musk daring them to arrest him for the cause, officials later backed down, and the factory reopened without incident.

Tesla has said that the Cybertruck will go into production in late 2021, with different models carrying price tags of $39,900, $49,900 and $69,900. The Cybertruck is not be confused with Tesla’s Semi, which is also scheduled to soon begin production.

Earlier this week, Tesla finally began making deliveries in the state of Michigan, after it was prevented from doing so by years of legal wrangling, which the company has alleged was the result of intransigence by the incumbent “big three” automakers who are based in that state.

Tesla also recently claimed a spot as the most valuable automaker in the world.

Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

Image: Reuters