Update: Tesla ceasing production in USA

The Tesla factory in Fremont remained opened the first day of lockdown. Photo: Tesla

Update: Tesla’s boss Elon Musk had vowed that the electric vehicle brand will not stop building cars during the coronavirus outbreak, with a “shelter in place” to stop the spread of the virus, but the factory is now closing down.

“I will personally be at work, but it’s just me. Totally okay if you want to stay at home for any reason,” said Musk in a tweet earlier this week.

This is despite a lockdown order being issued in the San Francisco Bay area, where Tesla is based. The lockdown requires residents to stay inside their homes and for most businesses too close. 

The State of California where the Tesla factory is located has deemed Tesla an essential business for the economy, however within the past few hours, the local sheriffs office has stated that the business should suspend normal operations at its Fremont, California factory for three weeks.

Now, Tesla has announced it will shut production at the Fremont factory from March 23.

Musk was under criticism from government officials, industry watchdogs and many consumers for attempting to keep production going in the face of Alameda County's lockdown.

Tesla also announced that the company has begun touch-less deliveries at many locations, in order to cater for customers practising social distancing.

Customers can now unlock their new Tesla via an app, sign the necessary paperwork placed in the car, and lodge the paperwork at a designated drop off site.