Tesla builds data center, R&D facility in China

Tesla said on Oct 25 that it had built a research and development facility and a data center in East China's Shanghai city – both of which will soon start operating – as the US electric automaker ramps up its localization strategy in the country. 

An impressive wide view of the new R&D facility in Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_01c6f7b4cf3d] 

The R&D facility, Tesla's first outside the US, employs engineers for software, electronics, materials and charging. Tesla said the facility will develop over time, ultimately becoming similar in size to the one in the United States. 

The newly built data center in Shanghai will store Tesla's operations data locally. At an industry forum in September, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said data security would become even more important as vehicles became more and more smart and autonomous. 

"Data security is not only the responsibility of any single company, but also the cornerstone of the whole industry's development," Musk said. 

"Tesla will work with national authorities in all countries to ensure data security for intelligent and connected vehicles," he added.