(Bloomberg) -- Tesla Inc. has completed its new factory near Shanghai and is working with local authorities to obtain a manufacturing license, which it hopes to receive by the end of the year, Chairman Robyn Denholm said.
The company is already building electric Model 3 sedans at the facility as part of a trial phase, Denholm said in a panel discussion at a Shanghai event Tuesday.
The first Tesla vehicles to be produced outside the U.S. are part of Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk's efforts to expand in Asia and take on local electric-vehicle upstarts. Denholm stressed the importance of companies and governments working together to solve technology problems.
“We're working with the local government to get our manufacturing certification, which we hope we will be able to get by the end of the year,” Denholm said.
Tesla is nearing the launch of China-made models just 10 months after breaking ground on its facility near Shanghai. This is also the first time a wholly foreign-controlled automaker has made a car in China.
Tesla Packs Profit Report With Positives as Musk Breaks Mold
Denholm declined to comment on who will supply batteries for China-built Teslas.
Musk's China Charm Offensive Nets Tesla Tax Break Amid Trade War
To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Carolynn Look in Shanghai at clook4@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Young-Sam Cho at ycho2@bloomberg.net, Ville Heiskanen, Will Davies
©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
With assistance from Bloomberg
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
