Thanks for this enlightening article. I have a feeling Elon thinks along the same lines already, but sees the process and discussions as part of a healthy strategy (maybe just signaling it?) to gather info and then make decisions. These conversations are already getting more attention it seems than the German ones before GigaBerlin, which benefits Tesla. In the end I do think a country like Spain will have a site before France though.
Having two businesses in Paris and having lived there for 10years I can confirm the content of this article. But I trust in Elon to make the right decision. I don’t think the pretty, golden walls in Élysée palace and Macrons firm handshake will make him loose sight of the realities.
agree with your points, most of Europe would be surprised with France.
The plus side would be if a low labour intensive factory say for an automated megapacks factory would still help France with export limit the exposure to staff blockages and provide a political friend in Europe along with Germany which long term is very important. Anyone that thinks Tesla will get to 20m cars FSD and significant player in the electricity market without needing strong friends in the EU....?
Almost certainly this was why Germany was picked first in Europe which also has high labour costs.
To add when China was picked, Elon could easily have gone to Singapore etc and still sold in China but China provided the strongest political support in that region market.
Jun 15, 2023Liked by AlexandraMerz @TeslaBoomerMama
Thank you for this Alexander, well written. As a professional international Executive Search person for the last 30 years, my experience has been the same as yours when comparing working conditions of various countries in Europe. In fact the only countries I would consider a search assignment for would be England and Germany.
Jun 15, 2023Liked by AlexandraMerz @TeslaBoomerMama
Elon was successful in Berlin, an incredibly difficult location for having built a giga factory on where the local airport took over twenty years of contentious foot dragging to get approved, so that France isn't likely to be knocked out contention for bureaucratic reasons but for Spain's better location
Jun 15, 2023·edited Jun 15, 2023Liked by AlexandraMerz @TeslaBoomerMama
I agree 100%. I also think France will be the first country, or one of the first countries, to tax robot laborers almost as if they are human workers. The fact that robots don't need healthcare and social services won't stop them.
That said, I doubt Elon is seriously considering France, regardless of what "people familiar with the matter" may have allegedly said.
Jun 15, 2023Liked by AlexandraMerz @TeslaBoomerMama
Nice article Alexandra! Puts together the reality of the harsh environment Tesla would face in France. While pieces of that puzzle were apparent, cohesively making the case against a GF in France should be read by Tesla execs helping Elon make that decision. If it is a serious consideration at this time. Thanks for the provocative and entertaining piece.
Jun 15, 2023Liked by AlexandraMerz @TeslaBoomerMama
Do you think Tesla is considering any of the countries in the lowest quartile of labor and energy cost? Spain is lower but still higher in both of those categories than many other countries. Obviously skills and other factors play into this... I just wonder about countries like Croatia or Bulgaria are on Elon’s radar (or has he removed his own radar? 🤔)
Jun 15, 2023Liked by AlexandraMerz @TeslaBoomerMama
Love France, speak a bit of the language, but for all the reasons Alexandra gives, France is a horrible place to do business. Macron and a small minority may welcome him, but the established interests will not. The French media chatterati will continually crucify Musk for the twin crimes of being American and a billionaire.
The nightmare experience of trying to get the Grünheide Gigafactory up and running in Germany will be looked back on as kids' play compare to what would transpire in France.
Thanks for the enlightning article.. I hope Elon reads it to, and makes the right decision not to place a giga factory in France.
Thanks for this enlightening article. I have a feeling Elon thinks along the same lines already, but sees the process and discussions as part of a healthy strategy (maybe just signaling it?) to gather info and then make decisions. These conversations are already getting more attention it seems than the German ones before GigaBerlin, which benefits Tesla. In the end I do think a country like Spain will have a site before France though.
Having two businesses in Paris and having lived there for 10years I can confirm the content of this article. But I trust in Elon to make the right decision. I don’t think the pretty, golden walls in Élysée palace and Macrons firm handshake will make him loose sight of the realities.
Hope Elon reads this!!
agree with your points, most of Europe would be surprised with France.
The plus side would be if a low labour intensive factory say for an automated megapacks factory would still help France with export limit the exposure to staff blockages and provide a political friend in Europe along with Germany which long term is very important. Anyone that thinks Tesla will get to 20m cars FSD and significant player in the electricity market without needing strong friends in the EU....?
Almost certainly this was why Germany was picked first in Europe which also has high labour costs.
To add when China was picked, Elon could easily have gone to Singapore etc and still sold in China but China provided the strongest political support in that region market.
Thank you, Alexandra! This is great insight from someone who knows France from a business perspective.
Thank you for this Alexander, well written. As a professional international Executive Search person for the last 30 years, my experience has been the same as yours when comparing working conditions of various countries in Europe. In fact the only countries I would consider a search assignment for would be England and Germany.
Excellent article. Thanks for sharing your views!
Next worse choice would be Canada, Quebec in particular. Spain would be a much better option IMO.
Elon was successful in Berlin, an incredibly difficult location for having built a giga factory on where the local airport took over twenty years of contentious foot dragging to get approved, so that France isn't likely to be knocked out contention for bureaucratic reasons but for Spain's better location
I agree 100%. I also think France will be the first country, or one of the first countries, to tax robot laborers almost as if they are human workers. The fact that robots don't need healthcare and social services won't stop them.
That said, I doubt Elon is seriously considering France, regardless of what "people familiar with the matter" may have allegedly said.
Nice article Alexandra! Puts together the reality of the harsh environment Tesla would face in France. While pieces of that puzzle were apparent, cohesively making the case against a GF in France should be read by Tesla execs helping Elon make that decision. If it is a serious consideration at this time. Thanks for the provocative and entertaining piece.
I totally agree with Alexandra on not going into France. And the other country I hope Tesla dos not go into is India.
Do you think Tesla is considering any of the countries in the lowest quartile of labor and energy cost? Spain is lower but still higher in both of those categories than many other countries. Obviously skills and other factors play into this... I just wonder about countries like Croatia or Bulgaria are on Elon’s radar (or has he removed his own radar? 🤔)
Thank you Alexandra! Great research as usual! Let's just hope that Elon is listening.
Love France, speak a bit of the language, but for all the reasons Alexandra gives, France is a horrible place to do business. Macron and a small minority may welcome him, but the established interests will not. The French media chatterati will continually crucify Musk for the twin crimes of being American and a billionaire.
The nightmare experience of trying to get the Grünheide Gigafactory up and running in Germany will be looked back on as kids' play compare to what would transpire in France.