Gary Zhou 
Key Points
- 🏭 US Senator John Cornyn recently visited Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas complex and had conversations with Elon Musk.
- 📸 He was photographed inside what appears to be a Cybertruck release candidate during his visit.
- 🚙 Cornyn praised Giga Texas for being the second largest manufacturing facility in the US and highlighted its contribution to job creation in Texas.
- 💬 Discussions between Cornyn and Musk included topics like AI, supply chains, critical minerals, SpaceX, and China.
- 🚗 Uber Japan and Hinomaru Kotsu plan to deploy 100 Tesla Model Y crossovers to Uber Premium’s service in Tokyo by the end of 2024, increasing visibility of Tesla vehicles in the city.
According to recent social media updates, US Senator John Cornyn made a notable visit to Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas complex, where he had the opportunity to engage in discussions with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. A photograph surfaced showing the Senator seated inside a vehicle that seemingly resembles a Cybertruck release candidate.
Senator Cornyn took the initiative to announce his visit, commending Giga Texas as the second-largest manufacturing facility in the United States presently. He praised the factory’s impressive workforce of 10,000 Texans, highlighting how it contributes significantly to the state’s position as a leader in job creation nationwide.
“Everything is bigger in the Lone Star State, including Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas – the 2nd largest manufacturing facility in the US! Tesla’s impressive facility employs 10k Texans & is one of the many reasons why TX is leading in job creation. Thanks, Elon Musk, for the visit,” the US Senator wrote in a post on Twitter.
The US Senator shared a follow-up post of his visit, featuring a photo of himself and Musk conversing. Cornyn hinted at some of the topics that he and the CEO discussed. “AI, supply chains, critical minerals, SpaceX, China. No shortage of important topics to discuss with Elon Musk,” the official wrote.
Giga Texas is one of Tesla’s most impressive facilities. Today, the factory produces the Model Y crossover, and it also has a dedicated battery facility that produces 4680 cells. Reports have also indicated that the Tesla Cybertruck will enter production sometime this year, as hinted at by the increasingly frequent sightings of the all-electric pickup truck on public roads as of late.
While Tesla is yet to receive permission from Texas to sell its cars directly in the state, Musk and Cornyn have maintained positive communications with each other. Just earlier this month, the US Senator shared a comment about SpaceX and its contributions to the United States. “The US government increasingly depends on Elon Musk’s SpaceX,” Cornyn noted.
