Tesla to upgrade Giga Shanghai’s manufacturing lines for higher capacity

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Tesla plans to invest 1.2 billion yuan ($187.826 million) in revamping the assembly lines of its Shanghai Gigafactory’s first phase, 7.08% of which will be used for environmental protection business, according to a document dated Nov. 26 on a governmental website of Shanghai enterprises’ and public institutes' environmental information.

China-made Model Ys; photo credit: Tesla

The document shows that construction of the facility retooling is expected to start in December this year and be completed in April next year.

Tesla said it has finished the calculation of carbon footprint and carbon emissions.

Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory currently has four functional areas for the production and the testing of complete vehicles, the manufacturing of auto parts, and the maintenance of vehicles and components.

The restructuring works will be carried out in the existing production area. Vehicle models to be made will still be the Model 3 and the Model Y.

According to the document, the new project mainly focuses on the expansion of stamping, car body, painting, and assembly workshops, as well as logistics operation center. The automaker noted car production capacity will be raised due to the increase of working hours, staff members and materials turnovers. However, the capacity to be added has been undisclosed in the document.

It is estimated that the number of staff members at the Giga Shanghai will be increased by 4,000 to 19,000 upon completion of the retooling works, said Tesla.