The unrest in the Red Sea is now also having a significant impact on Tesla's production in Grünheide. Due to attacks by Huthi rebels on ships, which have led to a shift in transportation routes, Tesla has been forced to interrupt a large part of its vehicle production at the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg for two weeks. The reason for the challenges in the supply chain is the rerouting of transportation routes between Europe and Asia via the Cape of Good Hope.
In a statement on Thursday evening (January 11, 2024), Tesla announced that there will be significant production restrictions at the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg from January 29 to February 11. The reason for this is a shortage of components due to logistical challenges in connection with the armed conflict in the Red Sea.
Batteries from China, which are a key component in the production of Tesla vehicles, are particularly affected. Due to the significantly longer transportation times caused by the rerouting of routes, a critical gap in the supply chain has been created. As a result, vehicle production at the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg will be largely suspended during this period, with the exception of a few areas that can continue to operate.
The production interruption will end on February 12, when Tesla plans to resume full production. This illustrates the global challenges for companies with complex supply chains, especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty and conflict, as other companies/manufacturers such as Volvo are also having to pause certain subsections due to a lack of parts.
