This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
May 13, 2020 - In a bold move, electric carmaker Tesla has reopened its primary car assembly plant in Fremont, California, defying local health authorities and a countywide order that restricts nonessential businesses to minimum basic operations.
According to Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, the restrictions closing nonessential businesses put in place by Alameda County, where Tesla's Fremont factory is based, are overly aggressive and unconstitutional.
US President Donald Trump appeared to support Elon Musk's re-opening plans in a tweet sent out on Tuesday, stating, 'California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW. It can be done Fast & Safely!'
However, Alameda County officials say they are 'communicating directly and working closely with the Tesla team on the ground in Fremont' in a 'collaborative, good-faith effort to develop and implement a safety plan' to reopen while protecting workers' health.
Elon Musk had earlier threatened to move Tesla's California headquarters and future programs to Nevada or Texas after a standoff with Alameda County when they failed to add automotive manufacturing to the list of essential businesses due for re-opening.
Other carmakers across the U.S. are set to reopen this month, including Toyota, Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler, who are targeting to restart on May 18, 2020.
Elsewhere in Europe, various automakers have started reopening their manufacturing plans, a move that seeks to get Europe's economy back on track, albeit slowly and gradually.
