Tesla Gigafactory South of the Border? ¡Ay, caramba!
Someone's been playing a game of "political hot potato" with our dear Elon and his Gigafactory Mexico plans. Remember that whole shebang about building a massive Tesla plant south of the border? Yeah, about that…
It all started with a bang, like a mariachi band on a Friday night. Tesla announced Gigafactory Mexico back in March 2023, promising to build it faster than you can say "dos cervezas, por favor." They were all gung-ho, talking about a one-year construction timeline, just like they did with their Shanghai Gigafactory. But then, poof, the music stopped.
By the end of 2023, Tesla slammed the brakes harder than a luchador hitting the ropes. They blamed the global economy, saying they needed to tighten their belts and focus on their Texas Gigafactory. But let's be honest, something smelled fishier than a week-old fish taco.
Remember that presidential candidate, Donald Trump? The one who kept ranting about slapping tariffs on Mexican imports? The same who just became the 47th President? Yeah. Well, turns out since Musk was funding his campaign, he must have got his money’s worth. Coincidence? I think not. Was the campaign money a good investment? Heck yeah. At least for Elon, it was.
Fast forward to today, and Mexico's Economy Minister, Ebrard, is scratching his head like a confused chihuahua. He's trying to figure out what's going on with the Gigafactory now that Trump's won the election. He's hoping to chat with Musk and get some answers. Good luck with that, amigo.
The thing is, Tesla's already done a complete 180 on its production plans. They were initially planning to build their new Robotaxi and other budget-friendly models at Gigafactory Mexico using their fancy "unboxed" manufacturing process. But now, they've scrapped those plans and are focusing on their existing Model 3/Y platform at their current factories.
So, what does this mean for Mexico? Well, they got tricked. They spent a pretty penny building roads and upgrading their electrical infrastructure to accommodate the Gigafactory. But now, it's looking like a ghost town. It's like ordering a giant plate of enchiladas and then suddenly remembering you're lactose intolerant.
Frankly, I wouldn't bet my peso on Gigafactory Mexico seeing the light of day any time soon. Tesla simply doesn't need it anymore. And with Trump in charge, building anything in Mexico to sell in the US is about as appealing as a tequila hangover.
But maybe - and hopefully - I'm wrong. Maybe Musk will pull a rabbit out of his sombrero and surprise us all. After all, this is the guy who launched a car into space. But until then, I'm keeping my expectations lower than a limbo champion's back.
The saga of Giga Mexico is a tale of political intrigue, economic uncertainty, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned Musk-ery. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we might just see Elon riding a donkey down the streets of Nuevo Leon, handing out apologies and free tacos. Or maybe not.
