The multi-billionaire all tech bros fanboy over is throwing a massive 15,000-person launch party at the new Tesla Gigafactory in Austin — and you’re probably not invited.
Tesla CEO and new resident of Texas, Elon Musk is throwing the biggest shindig to ever hit the city of Austin. The grand opening of the newest Travis County Tesla Gigafactory kicks off on April 7th, from 4 – 11:30 pm. Organizers are finalizing who will make the 15,000-person guest list to this invite-only gathering. Attendees will get the very first up-close-and-personal look at the Tesla factory since Musk announced in July 2020 that he was moving both Tesla HQ and himself to Austin. The Tesla grand opening party will include interactive tours, inspirational speeches, food and drink, and plenty of entertainment, including a possible fireworks show.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 26, 2022
The $1.1 billion plant is still under construction at 12733 Tesla Road. The massive manufacturing facility on the far east side of Austin is slated to measure 8 million square feet and will produce 500,000 electric vehicles every year. The plant also houses Tesla’s new headquarters — Tesla made the move from Palo Alto in the San Francisco Bay Area to Austin late 2021.
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a permit for the party on March 22nd, but not everyone gave a hearty ‘yes.’ Community activist Paul DiFiore thinks Musk could do more to reach the workforce he plans to hire, which is apparently as many as 10,000 people. After all, an invitation-only grand opening is no substitute for true community engagement. But what that could look like in reality remains to be seen.
A new Austin headquarters and a $1.1 billion gigafactory isn’t even the latest gesture from Tesla. The company just announced a $5.5 billion factory near Berlin, which is expected to manufacture 500,000 vehicles a year.
Featured image courtesy of Tesla