Tesla opens 'Gigafactory' near Berlin

Electric car manufacturer Tesla opened its first European factory Tuesday in the outskirts of Berlin in an effort to challenge German automakers on their home turf.

The company says its new "Gigafactory" will employ 12,000 people and produce 500,000 vehicles a year. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attended the opening ceremony with Tesla boss Elon Musk. Tesla began building the vast facility less than three years ago, before it received official permits to do so. Environmental campaigners have warned that the factory could affect drinking water supplies in the region. Tesla has dismissed those warnings.