In a momentous achievement, Tesla Manufacturing announced the production of the 500,000th Tesla Model Y at its Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, also known as Giga Berlin, in the early hours of March 31, 2025. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s European production journey, showcasing Tesla’s growing presence in the region since the factory’s inception.
Giga Berlin officially opened its doors in March 2022 and has steadily ramped up production of the all-electric Model Y crossover, contributing significantly to Tesla’s global output. Despite initial delays due to regulatory hurdles and environmental concerns, the facility has made notable progress. The latest achievement of producing 500,000 Model Y vehicles comes just over three years after the factory’s first Model Y rolled off the production line, highlighting an impressive acceleration in manufacturing capacity.
The timeline of Model Y production milestones at Giga Berlin showcases the factory’s rapid growth:
– March 22, 2022: Giga Berlin opens, with initial deliveries of the Model Y Performance variant to European customers.
– June 19, 2022: Tesla achieves a production rate of 1,000 Model Y vehicles per week.
– December 2022: Production reaches 3,000 Model Y vehicles per week.
– February 27, 2023: Giga Berlin produces 4,000 Model Y vehicles in a single week.
– March 27, 2023: The factory achieves a production rate of 5,000 Model Y vehicles per week.
– February 2, 2024: Production climbs to 6,000 Model Y vehicles per week.
– October 8, 2024: Tesla produces its 400,000th Model Y at Giga Berlin.
– March 31, 2025: The 500,000th Model Y rolls off the production line.
Coinciding with this production milestone, Tesla has introduced the new Model Y with upgrades aimed at enhancing comfort, safety, and performance. The refreshed model features ventilated front seats, a rear-seat infotainment screen, a softer suspension, blind-spot monitors, new wheels, quieter tires, and improved sound insulation. The rollout of the ‘Juniper’ Model Y began in China and has now expanded to Europe and North America.
Production of the new Model Y started at Giga Berlin in mid-January 2025, with the first unit signed by the factory’s employees. Deliveries of the new model are expected to start soon in Europe, while the special ‘Launch Edition’ Model Y with exclusive badging and Full Self-Driving capabilities is already being delivered in the U.S. and Canada from Giga Texas and California factories.
Tesla’s Giga Berlin plays a crucial role in the company’s global strategy, with plans to scale production to 1 million vehicles annually. The rapid pace of the new Model Y rollout and the factory’s latest milestone signify a strong trajectory for Tesla as it continues to lead the EV market.