Tesla denies 14% Giga Berlin staff cut report

An article in Handelsblatt, based on internal documents related to works council elections, states that the number of employees at the Tesla Gigafactory Berlin has decreased by approximately 1,700 since 2024.

Tesla operates Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg (Giga Berlin), its sole manufacturing site in Europe, located in Gruenheide near Berlin. This facility produces the Model Y electric vehicle and supports Tesla’s supply to multiple markets across the continent.

Opened in 2022, Giga Berlin represents a key part of Tesla’s global production network, with a design capacity for high-volume output and ongoing efforts to expand operations, including future battery cell production.

The latest reduction is about 14% of the workforce at the facility, bringing it down to around 10,703 people. The documents detailed the composition of the staff, including breakdowns by gender for election purposes.

It has responded to the report by denying any significant cuts to permanent positions. The company stated that, compared to 2024, there has been no major reduction in permanent staff and no plans exist for such actions.

It described any observed changes as normal fluctuations typical for a factory approaching four years of operation, particularly as the initial ramp-up phase ended and the need for temporary workers decreased. The EV maker emphasized that production has stayed steady in recent years, with no intention to reduce output or impact job security.

Giga Berlin currently runs at a production rate of roughly 5,000 Model Y vehicles per week. In late 2025, the plant manager noted quarterly production increases throughout the year, signaling a positive trend heading into 2026.

Partial approvals for capacity expansion have been secured, though full implementation depends on market conditions and corporate decisions. The facility employs a large local workforce and contributes to regional economic activity while facing standard operational adjustments common in manufacturing.

This development occurs amid broader industry challenges for electric vehicle makers, including demand variations in Europe. Tesla maintains that the outlook for Giga Berlin remains stable, with a focus on efficiency and long-term growth rather than workforce reductions.