Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly requested Tesla CEO Elon Musk to build a Tesla factory in Turkey, according to the state-owned Anadolu Agency. The request was made during a meeting between Erdogan and Musk at Turkish House, a skyscraper near the United Nations in New York. Erdogan is currently in the United States to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. However, Tesla and the Turkish embassy in Washington, DC have not yet responded to Reuters’ request for comment.
This request comes as Tesla continues to expand its global presence. In August, the electric carmaker expressed interest in building a factory in India to produce a low-cost electric vehicle (EV). Currently, Tesla operates six factories and is in the process of constructing a seventh in Mexico’s northern Nuevo Leon state. CEO Elon Musk previously stated that the company would likely choose a location for a new factory by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in California on Monday. Musk took to social media platform X to announce that their discussions would revolve around artificial intelligence technology. Musk’s interest in AI aligns with his vision for Tesla’s autonomous driving capabilities and the development of advanced AI systems.
Tesla’s stock has seen a remarkable increase of 123 percent this year, and the company recently celebrated a significant milestone by producing its five-millionth car. Musk’s influence extends beyond Tesla, as he made headlines in 2022 when he acquired X, formerly known as Twitter, for a staggering $44 billion. While Musk identifies as a “free speech absolutist,” he has complied with certain content censorship demands made by the Turkish government.
However, there have been instances where X has contested orders from Turkish courts. The social media company has faced challenges in balancing its commitment to free speech with the legal requirements of different countries. It remains to be seen how Musk’s meeting with President Erdogan and the potential development of a Tesla factory in Turkey will unfold, as both parties have yet to comment on the matter.
Original Story at www.aljazeera.com – 2023-09-18 04:05:32
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