Where are Tesla electric vehicles built?
- Tesla was founded and is headquartered in the US
- But like many automakers, its cars are built in several countries
- Here’s exactly where Tesla EVs are built
Published on Mar 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Mar 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Tesla was originally founded in California and now has its headquarters in Austin, Texas – but where does the EV marque make its cars?
Initially founded as Tesla Motors back in 2003, the US-based automotive company is now the most valuable carmaker in the world.
However, while it has its roots – and HQ – very firmly on US soil, its cars are actually built across several countries, including the US.
Tesla has factories and plants in the United States, Germany, and China.
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Tesla in the United States
As mentioned above, Tesla was originally founded in California and now has its headquarters in Texas – so it’s still very much an American automaker.
It also has the majority of its factories – including a couple of Gigafactories – in the States.
Fremont, California
In California’s San Francisco Bay Area, Fremont was Tesla’s first ever factory.
The Fremont factory first opened its doors as General Motors’ Fremont Assembly in 1962 – a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors.
In 2010, Toyota sold the factory to Tesla with a hefty discount, and the EV maker went into production.
As well as being its first factory, Fremont is the only plant where the Tesla Model S and Model X are produced.
It’s also the production home of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
In terms of output, the Fremont plant produced nearly 560,000 vehicles in 2023 – and Tesla says it has an even greater potential output of up to 100,000 Model S and 550,000 Model 3 and Y EVs.
Sparks, Nevada
The first ever Tesla Gigafactory – also known as Gigafactory 1 – opened in Sparks, Nevada.
It’s still the largest Tesla factory in the world, sprawled across 12 km2 – or 2,900 acres.
Unlike the Fremont site, no Tesla vehicles are fully built here, instead the Gigafactory creates electric motors, energy storage products, vehicle powertrains, and lithium-ion battery packs.
Tesla says it also plans to manufacture its fully electric truck – Tesla Semi – at the plant.
Austin, Texas
Tesla has its headquarters at its Gigafactory in Austin, Texas – or Gigafactory 5 as it’s also known.
Construction began on the 8.5 km2 (2,100 acre) factory in 2020, with production kicking off the following year.
Gigafactory 5 produces the Tesla Model Y for the whole of the Eastern United States – it’s also the main factory that produces the Tesla Cybertruck.
Tesla in Europe
Tesla has factories and plants in Germany and the Netherlands.
Grünheide, Germany
Building commenced on Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg – known as Giga Berlin or Gigafactory 4 – in 2019.
The factory produces batteries, battery packs, seats, and powertrains for numerous Tesla vehicles.
It also takes care of the final assembly of the Tesla Model Y for the European market, with wider plans to assemble other future models of Tesla EVs.
The German factory was created with an annual capacity for creating around 500,000 cars per year.
Tilburg, Netherlands
Tilburg was the first factory Tesla built outside of California.
The facilities, which are spread across several buildings, act as the European parts and services headquarters.
The Tesla Tilburg assembly plant also handled final assembly of the Model S/X for delivery within Europe – but following the S/X refresh, the plant no longer assembles the EVs.
Tesla in China
Tesla’s Shanghai production plant – or Gigafactory 3 – began producing cars in October 2019.
The plant currently produces the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y, and is the primary production site for Tesla vehicles exported to regions without a Gigafactory.
In 2023, Tesla said Gigafactory 3 had the capacity to produce more than 750,000 vehicles per year.
Tesla has also opened a Megafactory in Shanghai, which makes components for Tesla vehicles but doesn’t actual assemble of produce them.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
