[News] Tesla Reportedly Asks Suppliers to Avoid China, Taiwan as Early as 2025 in Case of Geopolitical Risks

Due to escalating geopolitical risks, Tesla is reportedly requesting its suppliers to begin manufacturing components and parts outside of China and Taiwan as early as 2025.

According to a report from Nikkei News on May 23rd, citing sources from the supply chain, suppliers of printed circuit boards, panels, and electronic controllers for models sold outside of China have recently received requests from Tesla to avoid China and Taiwan. The reason cited is the increasing geopolitical risks in the Greater China region prior to the U.S. presidential election. The objective of this move is to create alternative supply sources for markets outside of China to avoid disruptions in the supply chain.

Reportedly, a Taiwan-based supplier of Tesla revealed that Tesla wants all components to be OOC, OOT, meaning ‘out of China’ and ‘out of Taiwan.’ Allegedly, they hope this proposal can be implemented in new projects next year. Tesla is said to have made this request before the US government increased tariffs on Chinese electric cars fourfold to 100%.

Nikkei News’ report also indicates that Tesla has discussed this issue with suppliers in Japan, South Korea, and other Asian countries. A component supplier source cited in the same report mentioned that his company has responded to Tesla’s request by expanding production in Thailand. The source claimed that for many customers like Tesla, the “China Plus One” strategy—which involves diversifying investments beyond China into other countries—also includes avoiding Taiwan.

The report further cited sources, indicating that American car manufacturers such as General Motors and Ford are also instructing their suppliers to explore on relocating their electronic production lines away from China and Taiwan. However, they have not formally made requests similar to Tesla’s.

Another source cited in the report remarked that Tesla is the most proactive among American automakers in wanting to avoid risks associated with China and Taiwan, but implementing the OOC and OOT strategy is indeed challenging and costly.

Tesla has previously placed orders with TSMC for numerous chips related to electric vehicles. For instance, the supercomputer chip “D1” is utilizing TSMC’s 7nm technology along with advanced packaging processes.

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(Photo credit: Tesla)