Construction had begun under an exceptional procedure granted by authorities two years ago, but opposition from locals over environmental concerns has held up final approval for the plant.
With a big wheel, music and an appearance by CEO Elon Musk, Tesla pulled out all the stops Saturday to win over opponents of the electric carmaker's controversial new "gigafactory" near Berlin.
Demonstrators were already on the scene on Saturday morning, with a few people bearing signs like "Stop Tesla" and "water and forest aren't for private profit" gathered around 100 metres from the site. "We are ready to start production in a few months, basically November or December, and hopefully deliver our first cars in December," he added.Despite the local resistance, construction has been completed in double-quick time, replacing a swathe of pine forest with an enormous concrete-paved expanse accessed via "Tesla Road".
Supported by NGOs, opponents have sent letters, held protests and gone to court to try and stop the project.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Tesla's Brandenburg factory becomes festival site for 'Giga-Fest'From flashing lights and booming speakers to sprawling stages and a Ferris wheel, Tesla's factory near Berlin has been transformed into a festival site for a one-day county fair on Saturday, hosted by CEO Elon Musk.
Read more »
Tesla worried it won't be able to hire enough people for Berlin factory - MuskTesla is worried that it won't be able to hire enough people to staff its new factory near Berlin, Chief Executive Elon Musk said at a festival held on the site of the new plant on Saturday, according to a live stream on social media.
Read more »
Newsom praises 'extraordinary' Elon Musk despite Tesla HQ move to TexasOn Friday, Gov. Newsom lavished praise on Elon Musk — despite the Tesla CEO announcing one day earlier he plans to move his company's headquarters from California to Texas. Still, Newsom said California helped make the electric automaker what it is today.
Read more »
Tesla moving headquarters to Texas from CaliforniaTesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk said on Thursday the electric carmaker plans to move its headquarters from Silicon Valley's Palo Alto, California to Austin, Texas, where it is building a massive car and battery manufacturing complex.
Read more »
San Francisco vs. Austin: Elon Musk's Tesla Is Latest to Go to Lone Star StateElectric car maker is the latest California company to leave the Bay Area for the Texas capital. Here’s how the two regions stack up.
Read more »
Tesla moves headquarters from California to TexasTesla is moving its headquarters from Palo Alto, California, to Austin, Texas, CEO Elon Musk says. Lebeaucarnews reports.
Read more »