Tesla’s First Export Since Restarting The Factory in Shanghai

A Chinese government-backed media source said that Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) Inc sent 4,767 automobiles to Slovenia on Wednesday, marking the company’s first exports from China since restarting its Shanghai production on April 19.

According to the Shanghai-based source, the Glovis Splendor vehicle carrier departed port early on Wednesday, destined for the Slovenian port of Koper. The report mentions that the Tesla’s car was rushed off to the assembly lines and onto the ship that afternoon”. Tesla has also scheduled the shipment of 4,100 cars for Friday, with the carmaker aiming to export 300,000 cars from Shanghai by 2022.

Extend Operations in Shanghai

The cargo underscores Tesla’s attempts to restore regular operations at its Shanghai facility, which produces the Model 3 and Model Y for domestic and international sales. According to the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla did not export any Model 3s or Model Ys from its Shanghai facility in April, since China’s zero-COVID-19 restrictions delayed production and delivery. According to the report, the company’s sales in China fell by 98 percent in April compared to the previous month. The reopening of the factory on April 19 was aided by the Shanghai administration and was prominently publicized by Chinese official media. It was cited as an example of the city’s efforts to keep businesses running while enforcing a strict COVID policy.

From April 19 to April 30, Tesla produced 10,757 automobiles at its Shanghai facility, with a goal of 2,600 vehicles per day by May 16. Shanghai factories that are attempting to resume normal operations have been hampered by the city’s tightening of a lockdown to combat COVID-19 breakouts. Due to logistical and supply line challenges, Tesla’s facility was working far below capacity earlier this week.