Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced Monday that his company is resuming 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.
Musk tweeted, “Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. 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!”
The Tesla plant was closed March 23 under a six-county order in the San Francisco area, which has been extended through May 31. California Governor 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.”
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