EVwire brief: Tesla has produced its 1,000,000th drive unit at Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, marking a major manufacturing milestone for the facility.
The achievement was shared by Tesla’s manufacturing account, with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig congratulating the team.
Here’s Thierig’s post about the milestone on X:
Context:
Tesla’s drive units form the core of its vehicles’ powertrain, combining the electric motor, gearbox, and power electronics into a single system that drives the wheels. Every Tesla vehicle requires at least one, with dual-motor variants using two.
Giga Berlin was first announced in 2019 and began Model Y production in March 2022 after several delays tied to permitting, environmental concerns, and the pandemic. In its early phase, Tesla relied partly on imported components, but by 2022-2023, Giga Berlin was already doing full drivetrain assembly on-site.
By late 2024, the factory had already produced over 500,000 drive units, alongside more than 400,000 vehicles, which were primarily Model Y units that were sold in the European market.
Giga Berlin produces several variants of the Tesla Model Y, including dual motor variants that require two drivetrains per vehicle
Giga Berlin’s efficiency gains extend beyond production
The milestone comes as Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg has significantly improved its workforce efficiency, with recent reports stating that sick leave rates in the facility have fallen to below 5%, down from roughly 15–17% in 2024.
The turnaround follows a combination of employee-focused incentives and tighter management of sick leave policies. Plant manager André Thierig attributed the shift to improved engagement across the workforce, supported by measures such as a stock ownership plan, attendance incentives, and expanded on-site amenities.
“They simply like to come in already dressed in their work clothes. People think it’s awesome.”
At the same time, reporting indicates Tesla has taken a more assertive stance on sick pay eligibility, particularly in cases of recurring illness. Employees have been asked to provide additional documentation to verify claims, including detailed medical explanations and, in some cases, releasing physicians from confidentiality.
Source: Tesla Manufacturing on X
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