Musk: "Tesla Headquarters to Relocate to Another State"…Protesting Factory Restart Ban

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] Elon Musk, CEO of electric vehicle company Tesla, has announced his intention to relocate the company headquarters.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the continued shutdown orders from local governments due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), he stated that the headquarters would be moved from California to Texas or Nevada.

According to US economic broadcaster CNBC on the 9th (local time), Musk posted on his Twitter that "Tesla will immediately move its headquarters and future operations to Texas or Nevada," adding, "Honestly, this is the final straw."

He also stated, "Tesla will immediately file a lawsuit against Alameda County," claiming, "The unelected and ignorant acting health director of Alameda is acting against the governor, the president, our constitutional freedoms, and simple common sense."

Tesla had previously halted production since March 23, when California issued a stay-at-home order.

California allowed some retail stores such as bookstores and flower shops to reopen starting from the 8th, and in response, Musk sent an email to employees on the night of the 7th notifying that the Fremont factory would operate on a limited basis from the afternoon of the 8th.

However, the local government, Alameda County, blocked this move. Erica Pan, acting health director of the county, stated that the order to suppress the spread of COVID-19 is still in effect and Tesla has not yet received approval to resume automobile production.

This dissatisfaction is interpreted as Musk hinting at the possibility of relocating the headquarters.

While mentioning the possibility of suing the local government, he left a lingering note by saying, "Whether we keep the production facilities intact will depend on how Tesla is treated going forward."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.