Tesla and SpaceX Study Merger: Experts See Limited Short-Term Impact for Grünheide Plant

Elon Musk confirmed on Tuesday, 21 October, that Tesla and SpaceX have each established independent special committees to examine a potential corporate merger. Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg at Grünheide, which has recently ramped up to produce around 7,500 vehicles per week, would become part of any combined group that also builds rockets and operates the Starlink satellite network. Capital-markets strategist Stefan Riße of Acatis Investment told Berliner Zeitung that a merger would inevitably reduce the relative weight of Tesla's car business within the combined entity in favour of artificial intelligence and Starlink — which he characterises as Musk's 'only established cash machine.' Riße expects no immediate major consequences for the Grünheide plant, noting that Tesla's European business has improved recently and the factory represents a solid operational asset. He cautions, however, that Tesla shareholders would acquire significant additional risk from SpaceX's ambitious space-based data-centre plans. The two companies are already collaborating on technology: a Tesla Roadster flying-prototype was unveiled at a SpaceX facility in Texas on 15 October. No terms or timeline for the merger have been agreed; both committees are at the study stage.