Tesla: Elon Musk in France for the Choose France Summit

As part of the Choose France summit, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is present in Paris this Monday morning.

According to our colleagues at Figaro, Elon Musk met with the French president this Monday morning at the Élysée Palace. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX is likely there to discuss foreign investments during the Choose France summit.

This summit is dedicated to showcasing the attractiveness of France to encourage the establishment of new sectors within the country. An investment in France might interest Musk, especially if his Tesla models qualify for the French ecological bonus.

French President Emmanuel Macron launched the “Choose France” summit in 2017, and it has already yielded positive results. Between 2017 and 2021, over 6,910 foreign investment projects were developed in France. This resulted in 182,900 jobs maintained or created for French citizens from 2017 to 2021 across the entire country.

Tesla is currently experiencing a tough period as a car manufacturer. Like our daily errands, the brand is suffering from price increases due to inflation on its Model S and X. Additionally, after undercutting the price of its Model 3 to fall below the maximum eligibility threshold for the ecological bonus, Tesla seems to be varying its prices based on stock market trends.

Therefore, Elon Musk has a strong incentive to seek new investments to secure his company’s future. France could attract him through this “Choose France” summit.

What interest does Tesla have in all this?

First, France aims to relocate battery production for electric vehicles. In this regard, the Taiwanese company ProLogium has decided to establish its operations in Dunkirk starting in 2026. Verkor and Renault have strengthened their partnership in the country to soon supply 12 GWh annually to the French automaker. Tesla could thus benefit from a battery factory in Europe and reinforce its presence on the Old Continent.

Next, having a presence in France could help Tesla better sell its models across Europe. Additionally, Tesla can analyze European market demands, particularly regarding vehicle sizes. For example, French roads are much narrower than American roads and don’t require large vehicles to navigate. Perhaps establishing itself in France could inspire Tesla’s designers for Master Plan 4?

Finally, the benefits extend to France as well. The development of Tesla in France, building on its existing presence, will be advantageous for local employment and businesses in the region.

All in all, Elon Musk’s visit to Paris may signal a new chapter for the American brand!

Read also: Can Tesla be excluded from the ecological bonus?