Elon Musk reopens Tesla plant in California, disregarding order

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced Monday that his company will resume production at its Fremont, California, factory, in violation of local stay-at-home orders. The announcement comes days after Musk filed a lawsuit against the county to reopen the factory, which is Tesla’s only vehicle assembly plant in the U.S. 

“Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules,” Musk tweeted. “I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.” 

“Yes, California approved, but an unelected county official illegally overrode,” he added. “Also, all other auto companies in US are approved to resume. Only Tesla has been singled out. This is super messed up!” 

In an email last Thursday night, Musk called 30% of the factory’s workforce back to the plant, arguing that it was permitted under Governor Gavin Newsom’s order, CBS San Francisco reported.  

But the plant was closed March 23 under a six-county order in the San Francisco area, which has been extended through May 31. Newsom has said local orders take precedence over state orders. 

On Saturday, Musk filed a lawsuit against Alameda County to reopen the plant, and threatened to move the factory to Nevada or Texas “immediately.”

“If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependen [sic] on how Tesla is treated in the future,” he tweeted.

In response to the lawsuit, the county said in a statement that the Health Care Services Agency and Public Health Department have been working with Tesla to come up with a plan to reopen safely. “The team at Tesla has been responsive to our guidance and recommendations, and we look forward to coming to an agreement on an appropriate safety plan very soon,” Alameda County said.

Musk has been a frequent critic of social distancing and stay-at-home regulations. During an April 29 call, Musk called these measures “fascist” and said they posed a “serious risk” to Tesla.

“If somebody wants to stay in their house, that’s great,” Musk said, according to a recording of the call reviewed by CBS News. “They can stay in their house and they should not be compelled to leave. But to say that they cannot leave their house and they will be arrested if they do, this is fascist. This is not democratic, this is not freedom. Give people back their g**d*** freedom.” 

Before Musk tweeted Monday, Newsom said earlier in the day that he hoped Tesla would be able to resume production “as early as next week,” according to CBS San Francisco.  

“My understanding is they have had some very constructive conversations with the folks at that facility,” Newsom said of talks between the county and the company. “The county health director and they are working to focus on the health and safety of the employees at that facility and my belief and hope and expectation is as early as next week, they will be able to resume.”

When asked about rumors that the plant had reopened, Newsom said, “My understanding when I walked up to the podium today, that was not the case. I’m trying to monitor hundreds of thousands of businesses all throughout the state. I’m trying to work with business large and small.”