Tesla is to begin exporting its Model 3 electric car to Europe from its Shanghai Gigafactory in China later this month, according to a company statement.
Tesla completed construction of its Shanghai plant in the fourth quarter of 2019 with initial production capacity of 150,000 units per year.
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The company said its plan to export cars to Europe reflected the high quality standards it has achieved at the Shanghai facility, adding the initial consignment would be headed to a dozen or so LHD European markets, including Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland.
According to local reports, thousands of Model 3 cars were already lined up at a port near Shanghai and expected to reach the Belgian port of Zeebrugge in November. Tesla's choice on traditional shipping contrasts with Volvo Cars' move to ship Chinese made cars to Europe by trains running twice a week.
Tesla said, with Shanghai now operating close to full capacity, it could now supply vehicles to other parts of the world after initially meeting local demand.
The company added "we hope to contribute to the dual circulation development pattern that China has proposed".
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By GlobalDataTesla is also scheduled to begin building the Model Y at Shanghai from the end of 2020 with local deliveries scheduled to begin next January.
