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Tesla Executive Confronts German Media Over Production Reports
Tesla’s senior leadership at its Berlin-Brandenburg factory has publicly challenged German media outlet Handelsblatt, accusing it of spreading “false information” about the facility’s manufacturing output and financial performance.
André Thierig, Senior Director of Manufacturing at Gigafactory Berlin, took to LinkedIn to refute claims that the factory produced only 149,000 Model Y vehicles in 2025. According to Thierig, the actual production figure exceeded 200,000 vehicles, despite a temporary production halt early in the year for manufacturing line reconfiguration.
“The Handelsblatt degenerates into the mouthpiece of IG Metall,” Thierig wrote, suggesting the publication was working with Germany’s metalworkers’ union to “create fear and uncertainty among the workforce and thus influence voter behavior.” He also dismissed the outlet’s assertion that Tesla had a profit margin of just 0.74%, attributing such figures to their “secret ‘arithmetic skills.'”
Thierig emphasized that contrary to reports suggesting the factory was in crisis, production actually increased quarter-over-quarter throughout 2025, with further increases planned for the first quarter of 2026.
The public dispute comes at a pivotal moment for Tesla’s European operations. Works council elections are scheduled for early March, with IG Metall currently representing the largest coalition on the council, though not holding an outright majority.
In a separate address to Giga Berlin employees, CEO Elon Musk outlined ambitious expansion plans for the facility, including the introduction of battery cell production and potential manufacturing of Tesla’s Cybercab, Semi truck, and Optimus humanoid robot. However, Musk explicitly conditioned these investments on keeping the factory free from “external influences.”
“Assuming the authorities are supportive and the people are supportive, we would probably expand to make it the largest factory complex in Europe,” Musk stated. But he also issued a clear warning: “We won’t close the factory, but realistically, we won’t expand it either” if external organizations steer Tesla in what he considers the wrong direction.
The confrontation highlights the ongoing cultural clash between Tesla’s American tech company approach and Germany’s deeply entrenched labor traditions. The dispute mirrors Tesla’s concurrent labor battle in Sweden with IF Metall (a separate entity from Germany’s IG Metall), where the union has engaged in strikes against Tesla service centers since late 2023.
For the German workforce, the stakes are considerable. Musk is essentially offering employees the opportunity to build cutting-edge autonomous vehicles and robotics in Germany, provided they align with Tesla’s non-unionized operational model rather than traditional union representation.
The timing of this public rebuke of German media is strategic, coming just days before workers head to the polls. Whether Thierig’s defense of Tesla’s production achievements and Musk’s promise of expansion will sway the election remains to be seen, but it underscores Tesla’s determination to maintain its operational independence as it expands its European manufacturing footprint.
Industry analysts note that the outcome of this labor dispute could have significant implications for other American tech companies looking to establish manufacturing operations in Germany’s traditionally union-strong industrial sector.
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7 Comments
Interesting to see Tesla directly challenging the media reports on its Giga Berlin production and financials. Transparency is important, but it’s also important to verify claims from both sides. I’m curious to learn more about the actual manufacturing figures and profit margins at the factory.
Agreed. It would be helpful to see the underlying data and analysis from both Tesla and the media outlet to get a clearer picture of what’s really going on at Giga Berlin.
As an investor, I’m always interested in getting accurate information about a company’s operational and financial performance. While Tesla’s response raises valid points, I agree that it would be helpful to see more transparency and independent verification of the claims on both sides. A constructive dialogue between the company, media, and unions could help provide clarity.
It’s concerning to see accusations of political influence and media bias in this situation. Reliable, objective reporting is essential, but so is open communication from companies about their operations. I hope Tesla, the media, and the unions can find a way to have a constructive dialogue and reach a shared understanding of the facts.
The back-and-forth between Tesla and the German media raises some valid questions. While I appreciate Tesla’s effort to set the record straight, I’m also curious to hear the union’s perspective on the factory’s performance and working conditions. Transparency from all sides would help provide a more complete understanding.
That’s a good point. The union’s views could offer important context here. It’s often helpful to consider multiple stakeholder perspectives when evaluating the situation at a major manufacturing facility.
This seems like a classic case of conflicting narratives around a high-profile industrial operation. Tesla’s rebuttal suggests the media reports may have been exaggerated or misleading, but I’d want to see the underlying data before drawing any firm conclusions. Careful analysis of the facts is crucial in these types of disputes.