Tesla’s German Landing Will Fuel Competition: Volkswagen CEO

Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess attends the Munich Auto Show, IAA Mobility 2021, in Munich, Germany on Sept. 7, 2021. (Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters)

FRANKFURT—The planned opening of Tesla’s first gigafactory in Europe later this year will force local industry to step up its game, Volkswagen Chief Executive Herbert Diess said on Friday.

Diess’ comments, made on Twitter, come as Tesla continues work on its plant in Gruenheide, near Berlin, as it awaits final building approval for the 5.8 billion euro ($6.8 billion) site.

“Efficiency is key for the transformation of our industry/Germany. Tesla develops in shorter processes, works closer with the best in the industry and takes more risk,” Diess, a known admirer of the electric car pioneer led by Elon Musk, said.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk talks to the press as he arrives to have a look at the construction site of the new Tesla Gigafactory near Gruenheide, Germany on Sept. 03, 2020. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, aims to overtake Tesla as the world’s top seller of electric cars by 2025, a claim that is underscored by an ambitious plan to build six large battery factories in Europe by 2030.

“Gruenheide will increase competition in Germany—also with Wolfsburg.”

The EV maker is hosting a public tour of the Gruenheide plant on Oct. 9, days before the final consultation for objections to its construction closes. Musk has confirmed he will attend the event, dubbed the “Giga-fest”, in person.

($1 = 0.8540 euros)