SHANGHAI — Tesla has begun a trial production of its Model 3 cars in its new Gigafactory in Shanghai this month.
In a letter to shareholders, the company said it is already producing entire vehicles, from the body to paint to general assembly during the trial period. The company did not mention how long its trial production would last.
The company explained on its website that its Model 3 cars will be made from a metal structure that is a mixture of aluminum and steel.
The car will feature multiple cameras, a forward-facing radar as well as ultrasonic sensors to detect nearby cars.
Tesla had made a deal with the Chinese government to construct a car production factory in Shanghai in 2018 and broke ground on its Chinese factory only 10 months ago, according to TechCrunch.
The deal was notable as this is the first time a foreign car manufacturing company has been allowed to open up its own factory in China without a joint alliance with a local partner.
Tesla explained in its letter to shareholders that the company is in its final stages of selecting a site to build its Gigafactory in Europe. The company says its European factory will manufacture Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y cars.
