According to local media reports, Tesla is expanding its Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, with the goal of employing up to 60,000 employees, several times more than the current number, in preparation for mass production of the Cybertruck electric pickup truck. The Austin Business Journal reported the news, citing Tesla Austin factory production director Jason Shawhan.
As of the end of last year, the Austin Gigafactory employed more than 12,000 people. Since then, Tesla’s number of employees in the Austin area has exceeded 20,000 and is expected to grow further, the report said.
Tesla has also initiated infrastructure development to facilitate this expansion, starting with the construction of a larger parking lot.
In July of this year, the first Cybertruck rolled off the production line at the Austin factory. At the annual shareholder meeting in early May this year, Musk confirmed that the Cybertruck delivery event would take place later this year. He added that it will be his daily driver and once production is in full swing, he expects to sell 250,000 to 500,000 units a year.
Currently, Tesla's job page shows a large number of open positions at the Austin factory, including positions in finance, construction and facilities, charging, supply chain, sales and customer support.