Tesla contradicts: No job cuts in Grünheide

Tesla contradicts: No job cuts in Grünheide

The US car manufacturer Tesla is planning possible job cuts at its European factory in Grünheide near Berlin. However, reports of a massive cut of 3,000 jobs at the factory were officially denied by a company spokeswoman. The spokeswoman emphasized that an efficient and lean organizational structure is crucial for the future positioning of the company and contributes to its success. The stated number of 3,000 affected positions was described as unfounded, and no specific information was initially given about the employees actually affected.

Tesla is examining the job cuts taking into account labor law and co-determination requirements as well as involving the works council for the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. According to media reports, less than ten percent of the more than 12,000 employees will be affected by the planned job cuts. This measure is a response to weak market demand for electric cars and falling sales figures, which have already led to an internal communiqué from Tesla CEO Elon Musk in which he announced job cuts of more than ten percent in the company.

The discussion about the expansion of the factory in Grünheide and an attack on the factory's power supply have caused controversy. However, during a visit to the factory in March, Elon Musk reiterated his commitment to the expansion plans. At the same time, environmental groups continue to protest against the electric car manufacturer with an ongoing occupation of a forest near the factory and the construction of tree houses. Tesla is feeling the effects of tough price competition in the Chinese car market, which has led to falling sales figures. Doubts had already arisen about the pace of growth in the electric car market after Tesla delivered surprisingly fewer vehicles in the first quarter than in the previous year.