Come on guys, don’t be so hard on the writer. There’s some truth in there, it’s just hard to find.
1) He’s long Ford and short Tesla, 2) Ford makes defective and crappy cars, yet stupid people still desire and buy them, 3) Ford has a lot more factories than Tesla. The first two are obvious and there’s nothing to discuss. However, #3 is interesting. Tesla is building factories as quickly as they possibly can given their financial situation. They have already said that they can’t electrify the entire industry and need others to step up. Those that don’t will have lots of unused factories available. Possibly Tesla will buy some of those, but likely not given prices, politics, location, age, or lack of modern robotics. Tesla got a steal on Fremont, based on it’s location, but still has put in mega dollars. Unless they can get others for fire sale pricing, I doubt they’ll buy, especially since most of these factories are in “anti-Tesla” areas. My guess is that Tesla will utilize and maximize current facilities, beyond what the old guard thinks possible. They will continue to use slight of hand, tents or other temporary devices as necessary to match demand. Perhaps the Lanthrop facility is partly a factory for certain parts, as well as storage. The GF will certainly expand again, perhaps Buffalo will expand or change use. Yes, it will take time and money, but didn’t Tesla just open a V3 supercharger in Las Vegas, in clear view of major multi-story hotels and a Ferris wheel, right under our noses? Why is it so hard to believe that they aren’t constructing non-descript warehouse factories in other areas?
Edit: Actually, looking at the map, Buffalo is an excellent location for expansion. It is centrally located for the eastern Canadian an US markets (statistically speaking, more cars will be sold in blue states and big cities). It is also closer to the Europe, so might facilitate easier deliveries to that market. All Tesla needs to do is “help” the EU realize that eliminating tariffs on electric vehicles will help meet climate targets faster.