Tesla Eyes Design and Research Center for ‘Chinese-Style’ Cars

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By Ding Yi / Jan 17, 2020 02:02 PM / Business & Tech

Tesla’s Shanghai factory hasn’t been open all that long, but the American automaker is already plowing more resources into its China operations.

The company announced Wednesday on its public WeChat account that it is opening a design and research center in the country to build vehicles in “Chinese styles.”

The news comes hot on the heels of Tesla’s first deliveries of its China-made Model 3 sedans on Jan. 7.

“In order to achieve a transformation from ‘made in China’ to ‘designed in China,’ Tesla CEO Elon Musk has come up with the very cool idea of establishing a design and research center here,” Tesla said in the post, providing no details about where and when the facility will be built.

Tesla also called for talented designers to apply for jobs at the upcoming center to help fulfill the goals of “integrating the best Chinese art into Tesla’s future-facing vehicles.”

On the day when Tesla turned over its first homemade Model 3s to Chinese buyers, Musk also announced plans to produce the Model Y sports-utility vehicles at the Shanghai plant, its first manufacturing facility outside the United States.

Contact reporter Ding Yi (yiding@caixin.com)

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