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Tesla CEO Elon Musk thinks inviting Trump to Giga Texas is a ‘good idea’: ‘He’s a big fan of manufacturing in America’ – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)


Tesla CEO Elon Musk thinks inviting Trump to Giga Texas is a ‘good idea’: ‘He’s a big fan of manufacturing in America’ – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)

Tesla Inc. TSL Managing Director Elon Musk said on Tuesday that it would be a “good idea to invite the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to visit the company’s Gigafactory in Texas.

What happened: “Good idea,” Musk wrote to the Tesla enthusiast, who recommended inviting Trump to Giga Texas to improve his understanding of electric vehicles and Tesla’s other products and services.

“He’s a huge fan of American manufacturing, and Teslas have the highest American content of any car!” Musk added, expressing optimism for a fruitful visit.

Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas spans 2,500 acres along the Colorado River and has over 10 million square feet of factory space. The factory produces both Tesla’s best-selling SUV, the Model Y, and its newest product – the stainless steel Cybertruck.

The company is currently undertaking expansion efforts at the factory. Earlier this year, Musk said that once the expansion work is complete, the factory’s size will be “pretty close” to the length of a Star Destroyer from “Star Wars,” or about 1,600 meters.

Why it is important: Trump opposes the full electrification of the auto industry and seeks to eliminate subsidies for electric vehicles. However, Musk officially endorsed Trump in July.

During Tesla’s quarterly earnings call in late July, Musk claimed that the impact of the subsidy cut would be small for Tesla but devastating for its competitors. Cutting subsidies for electric cars would likely help Tesla in the long run, he added.

On Tuesday, Trump praised Tesla in an interview with Musk on his social media platform X, saying, “They make a great product. Their product is incredible.” But that doesn’t mean everyone should choose an electric vehicle, Trump added, reiterating his criticism of the full electrification of the automotive industry.

Musk had previously also expressed his willingness to be part of a “government efficiency committee” aimed at reducing a “pile of laws and regulations” if Trump recapture the White House in the upcoming presidential elections.

Trump also appears to be warming to electric vehicles following Musk’s support. Earlier this month, he said he was “for” electric vehicles.

“I have to be, you know, because Elon has been very supportive of me. So I have no other choice,” Trump said at his first joint rally with his vice presidential candidate. JD Vance in Atlanta.

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