Tesla China donated ¥5 million to the CDC in the country to help fight the novel coronavirus outbreak. During the Q4 2019 earnings call, Tesla CFO Zachary Kirkhorn talked about the outbreak and how it affected the EV tech company's Giga Shanghai operations. Tesla's latest action reveals that the all-electric car maker seems to understand the impact the novel coronavirus has toward the people of China--and not just its factory or Chinese workers--and is willing to help the country by any means necessary.
In Tesla China's official Weibo account, the EV automaker's Shanghai branch revealed that it was willing to do more than just shut down its factory in the country. The Shanghai HQ announced it would also donate ¥5 million to CDC China to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Tesla CFO Zachary Kirkhorn addressed the virus' impact on Giga Shanghai during the earnings call earlier today. “We are in the early stages of understanding if, and to what extent, we may be temporarily impacted by the coronavirus,” Kirkhorn said.
“At this point, we’re expecting a one, to one and a half week-delay in the ramp of the Shanghai build Model 3 due to a government-required factory shutdown. This may slightly impact profitability for the quarter, but is limited as the profit contribution from Model 3 Shanghai remains in the early stages,” the CFO added.
Credit: Ray4Tesla/Twitter
Even though Tesla stands to gain from the end of the novel coronavirus' outbreak in China, it doesn't seem to be extending its helping hand for selfish purposes. In fact, Tesla China is dealing with the situation the way the main branch would even if it didn't affect the company directly.
The donation isn't the first time Tesla has stepped in to help people in China during this difficult time. Earlier this week, the EV automaker informed Tesla owners that free Supercharging was available via notification in the infotainment systems of its vehicles. This would help owners operate their vehicles even in cities that are currently locked down, aiding them with their daily routines.
Tesla is also no stranger to offering help to owners affected by natural disasters. The ever-improving company offered free charging services and unlocked extra range during disasters like Hurricane Irma, Dorian, and the California wildfires in the past as well.
Tesla China again addressed free Supercharging in its Weibo announcement about the ¥5 million-donation to the local CDC. It said that another ¥5 million would go to subsidize the energy consumption while Tesla's free Supercharging offer is active. e Credit: Global Time/Tesla
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Claribelle Deveza
Longtime writer and news/book editor. Writing about Tesla allows me to contribute something good to the world, while doing something I love.
