Tesla delivers 4,767 automobiles from Shanghai facility, marking the company’s first export since its reopening

From the Shanghai government-backed media outlet, it states that Tesla exported 4,767 automobiles to Slovenia on Wednesday, May 11, the first batch of exports since the factory reopened on April 19.

While citing a customs official, Shanghai Observer said that the Tesla was in a hurry to transfer cars fresh from the production lines aboard the vessel yesterday afternoon. Tesla has also scheduled the shipment of 4,100 cars for Friday, with the carmaker aiming to export 300,000 cars from Shanghai by 2022. The cargo underscores Tesla’s efforts to restore normal operations at its Shanghai plant, which produces the Model 3 and Model Y for domestic and international sales.

As per the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla did not ship any Model 3s or Model Ys from its Shanghai plant in April, since China’s zero-COVID-19 restrictions delayed production and delivery.  Moreover, the company’s sales in China fell by 98 percent in April compared to the previous month.

Due to logistical and supply line challenges, Tesla’s plant was working far below capacity earlier this week. Shanghai factories that are attempting to resume normal operations have been hampered by the city’s tightening of a lockdown to combat COVID-19 breakouts.

According to the sources, Tesla produced 10,757 cars at its Shanghai plant from its inauguration on April 19 to April 30 and had set a goal of 2,600 vehicles per day starting on May 16. The reopening of the factory on April 19 was aided by the Shanghai administration and was prominently publicized by Chinese official media. It was cited as an example of the city’s efforts to keep businesses running while enforcing a strict COVID policy.