Tesla’s Shanghai plant returns to pre-lockdown output – report

Tesla has reinstated a second shift at its Shanghai production facility, returning its manufacturing capacity to the same levels seen prior to the disruptive city-wide lockdowns of recent months, according to a report.

All current Australian-delivered Tesla models are sourced from the Chinese plant, which is now expected to produce around 2600 electric vehicles each day, according to the South China Morning Post.

Employees had been sleeping at the factory, with a single ‘closed loop’ shift helping to keep the production line moving, while reducing the chances of workers getting COVID-19 from the outside world.

It’s understood the company had quarantined workers in disused factories and an army camp to ensure the virus did not enter its facilities.

The move could open the door for Model Y orders to begin in Australia. Drive understands customers were originally told to expect the Model 3-based SUV to begin in late 2021, but supply chain disruptions and pandemic-related issues meant the vehicle has yet to make its Australian debut.

The 2022 Tesla Model Y is expected to be priced from $67,990 before on-road costs, according to leaked information published by Chasing Cars in April.