Tesla Super-Sizes Austin Gigafactory with 50% Expansion

Tesla Inc. has launched a massive expansion of its Gigafactory Texas in unincorporated Travis County, just outside Austin, filing 11 permits with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to add more than 5.2 million square feet to the existing 10 million-square-foot facility at 1 Tesla Road.[1][2][5] Construction began in the past week on projects dubbed Body in White, Stamping, Plastics, High Bay and Paint, with completion targeted by the end of 2026.[1] The Austin headquarters site, which spans 2,500 acres along the Colorado River, already churns out Model Y SUVs and Cybertrucks, hitting a milestone of 400,000 vehicles produced since the first Model Y rolled off in late 2021.[3][5] Since breaking ground in July 2020 and hosting the Cyber Rodeo opening on April 7, 2022, Gigafactory Texas has grown into Tesla's U.S. manufacturing hub.[2] Elon Musk projected at least $10 billion in total investment and up to 20,000 employees, fueling Travis County's tech-manufacturing surge amid Austin's explosive growth.[2] The expansion aligns with Tesla's global push, following approval for a similar doubling at its Berlin plant in October.[1] This build-out amplifies Texas' role in the EV revolution, drawing skilled workers to the Austin region and bolstering supply chains from Del Valle to the Highland Lakes.[2][5] As Giga Texas ramps refreshed Model Y output alongside Cybertruck production, the added capacity positions Central Texas to lead America's shift to sustainable transport.[3]